Popular elliptical exercisers put to the test

Your New Years' resolution may have you weighing whether to get an exercise machine. If you're wondering whether you'd really use is, take heed. A new Consumer Reports' survey finds 59 percent of machines are regularly used a year after they were purchased.

Consumer Reports just finished testing one of the biggest sellers — elliptical machines. They imitate the motion of running without hard impact.

The $2200 Endurance E400 was the lowest rated elliptical tested. Paenlists complained that it didn't give a smooth rise.

The top-rated elliptical is the $3100 Octane Fitness Q37ci. Testers found that it's built well, and it has a nice display that's easy to read.

For far less, the Vision X30 Premier came in second. It costs $1800.

Consumer Reports advises no matter which machine you buy, it's important to always try it out first.