Working with large, commercial-grade ellipticals can sometimes be uncomfortable for short trainers. This is because they come with average to long strides that make workout motion unnatural. Although many commercial-grade ellipticals come with adjustable stride features, it does not always work well for short fitness trainers.
With the invention of compact ellipticals, machines have been designed with shorter strides than what is available in commercial cross-trainers. However, as a short fitness trainer, looking for the best elliptical for short person can be frustrating when most come with basic features.
This article review focuses on the best elliptical machines with short strides available for short trainers. Before highlighting the trainers, a buyer’s guide would give direction on how best to settle for an ideal elliptical trainer.
Contents
- 1 How to choose The Elliptical For Small Person
- 2 List Of The Top 3 Best Elliptical For Short Person
- 3 10 Best Ellipticals For Short Person
- 3.1 Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 - Compact 11" Stride Length
- 3.2 Plasma Fit - Elliptical Cross Trainer For Short Persons
- 3.3 SCHWINN Fitness 411 - Best Short Stride Elliptical
- 3.4 Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 - Smart Elliptical For Small Persons
- 3.5 Body Power BST800 - Best 2 In 1 Elliptical For Short Persons
- 3.6 Marcy NS-40501E - Best Home Elliptical For Short Person
- 3.7 Nautilus E616 - Best Elliptical Trainer For Shorty
- 3.8 Horizon Fitness EX-59 - Best Selling Short Stride Elliptical
- 3.9 ProForm - Hybrid Elliptical Trainer For Short Person
- 3.10 NordicTrac 14.9 - Commercial Eliptical For Shorty
- 4 FAQ
- 5 Conclusion
How to choose The Elliptical For Small Person
When looking for the best elliptical machine for short trainers, there are more factors to consider than the ideal stride length. It’s always best to buy an elliptical that offers the best features and can fit into your workout space.
In no order of importance, these are four factors to consider when buying comfortable ellipticals for short fitness trainers.
Stride Length
A correct stride length is measured as the farthest distance between the feet when in motion. This could either be during walks or runs. Since ellipticals mimic natural human movement, trainers are always advised to buy elliptical workout equipment that offers the greatest comfort.
Since short trainers naturally have shorter legs, their optimal stride length is shorter than taller trainers. Choosing the wrong stride length can affect posture. So ideally, it’s best to try out ellipticals with stride lengths ranging from 11 to 15 inches. When in doubt of your natural stride, there’s always an option to calculate with the formula or practically measure your average walking distance.
Also, check the Best Long Stride Elliptical Review if you are looking elliptical for tall people.
Size
Elliptical machines come in different sizes. The large elliptical machine has a higher standing height than compact sizes. As a short trainer, measure the distance between the foot pedals and full-motion handlebars to estimate your comfort level.
The smaller the body size of the trainer, the more they’ll fit into compact-sized ellipticals. It’s best to test out the machine, if possible, or calculate your required ceiling height to that of the machine.
Durable And Comfortable
Because of their working parts and components, even the best elliptical trainers are susceptible to breaking down and needing parts replacement. As a short trainer looking for a perfect fit elliptical, ensure it is built with more robust materials to guarantee durability.
Manufacturers use steel and steel alloys to make the frame and parts of these machines strong and sturdy. Even when assured of the construction material, get ellipticals that offer a reasonable warranty on the product. The warranty for ellipticals is divided into three major parts; frame, parts, and labor.
The best brand warranty is those that promise a lifetime warranty on the elliptical frame. It shows that the brand believes in the quality of the frame and knows it won’t give way over the years. The other warranty often comes between 90 days and two years. Again, go for a product with better warranty assurance.
Comfort is an important factor that often gets relegated to the background when it comes to ellipticals. The performance level and workout routine results achievable on an elliptical lie solely in the level of comfort the trainer feels while on the machine. Make no compromise on comfort for other features. It’s easy to benefit from the low-impact, challenging workout when adequately comfortable.
Workout Programs
Fitness brands include workout and fitness programs to help trainers have a more personalized experience on ellipticals. In addition, they help trainers set and stick to routines to avoid and kill boredom during workouts.
Not all ellipticals come with workout/user programs. Some offer easy connections to fitness apps or provide designs that can hold trainers’ devices for an interactive experience. However, it’s always advisable to stick with ellipticals that offer user programs since they help target specific muscle groups and stay committed until the end of the workout sessions.
List Of The Top 3 Best Elliptical For Short Person
- Material: Steel
- Belt drive magnetic resistance
- 8 Levels of resistance
- Hand pulse monitor
- Transportation wheels
- Multifunctional digital monitor
- Textured non-slip foot pedals
- Floor Stabilizer
- Item Dimensions: 28 x 17 x 57 inches
- Item Weight: 60.8 Pounds
- Material: Meta
- 2-in-1 Space saving design
- 11" foot stride and a 21" arm extension
- Adjustable tension knob
- Full-form seat
- Height-adjustable handlebars
- Item Dimensions: 38 x 26 x 9 inches
- Item Weight: 64 Pounds
- Maximum user weight: 220 Pounds
- Material: Steel
- Space saving design
- Resistance Levels: 25
- Workout Programs: 29
- Stride Length: 18" Stride
- Moving and fixed padded handlebars
- Heart rate contact grips
- Max User Weight: 300 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 53.8 x 24 x 62.5 inches
- Product Weight: 100 lbs
10 Best Ellipticals For Short Person
- 11" elliptical stride length
- 8-level magnetic resistance system
- Hand pulse sensors
- Padded handlebars
- Digital console monitors
- Oversized pedals
Looking at the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 build and size, it’s obvious it was designed for home use. Its compact design and shorter stride length make it one of the best ellipticals for short people. Unlike most ellipticals, the Sunny SF-E905 has a manual magnetic resistance system and needs no power connection or an internal motor. It is a rear-drive elliptical and delivers a smooth lower and upper body movement.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Summary
The best short stride elliptical list cannot be complete without the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905. It comes with a footprint of 28 x 17 x 57 inches (LxWxH), weighing 60.8 pounds. It is designed with a non-adjustable short stride of 11 inches. This magnetic elliptical also has a maximum weight recommendation of 220 pounds.
- Non-slip handlebars
- 11" stride length
- Hand pulse sensors
- Digital monitor
- Transport wheels
- No workout programs
- 3 years frame warranty
- 11-inch stride length
- 2-in-1 elliptical trainer
- Digital monitor
- Hand grip sensors
- Padded seat
- Floor stabilizers
The Plasma Fit elliptical trainer brings together a cardio machine and elliptical bike for excellent full-body workouts. It offers a low-impact workout for a short person to burn calories and tone muscles effectively. All of which it achieves with zero stress to the joints and back.
Plasma Fit 2-in-1 Elliptical Summary
The Plasma Fit 2-in-1 Cross Trainer offers two exercise machines in one for trainers to get proper upper and lower body workouts. Trainers can transition from a bike to an elliptical with the aid of a seat. It is a compact budget elliptical suited for home gym use. It comes in dimensions of 38 x 26 x 9 inches (LxWxH). It has a weight of 64 pounds and a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds.
- 11" stride
- 2-in-1 cross trainer
- Digital performance monitor
- Heart rate grip sensors
- Compact design
- No workout programs
- No device holder
- 5.5" High Contrast LCD
- 18" stride length
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Travel the globe app
- 16 magnetic resistance levels
- 13 user programs
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Cross Trainer is a beautiful piece of fitness equipment. It comes with an aesthetically streamlined console and a longer stride length of 18″. It also has an interactive LCD screen that allows trainers to connect to fitness travel apps. Its flywheel ensures a quiet, smooth, and maintenance-free workout.
Schwinn 411 Elliptical Summary
Schwinn is not a new player in the elliptical trainer game. It is no surprise that they offer more smart features in the 411 than most of the reviewed models. An 18″ stride may be a bit wide for very short trainers, but it also makes the machine suitable for a wide range of trainers’ heights.
- 13 preset interactive user programs
- 18" stride
- 16 levels of magnetic resistance
- Easy connection to travel the globe app
- 5.5" interactive High Contrast LCD screen
- No speakers
- LCD screen not backlit
- SunnyFit app
- 16 resistance levels
- Heart rate sensors
- Digital performance monitor
- 24 built-in programs
- 15.5" compact stride
The Smart Elliptical trainer from Sunny Health & Fitness is a rear-drive elliptical that offers basic features for an elliptical for short person. The Smart Elliptical offers trainers an unlimited fitness experience with the SunnyFit app. With over 100+ workout routines, tour the world with real-life destinations, etc. Trainers can also connect and share workout progress with other devices.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Elliptical Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness trainer gives trainers a low-impact opportunity to increase the number of calories burned. Its smart features allow for easy connection to the SunnyFit app which offers over 100 workout routines. This is exclusive of the 24 built-in programs to help trainers set and meet their fitness goals.
It is compact 15.5″ stride makes it a good elliptical for short trainers. The feet distance offers the best comfort to them when on the machine.
- Smart fitness with the SunnyFit app
- 16 programmable resistance levels
- Performance monitor
- 15.5" compact stride
- Easy transport wheels
- 3 years frame warranty
- Can be noisy after a prolonged use
- Exclusive Curve-Crank technology
- 2-in-1 fitness machine
- LCD screen
- 8 resistance levels
- Oversized, non-slip pedals
- Transport wheels
The BST800 is designed as a 2-in-1 cross trainer and is ideal for short trainers. The machine doubles as an elliptical and a stepper. It is designed with an exclusive Curve-Crank technology that eliminates pedal dead zones that most elliptical machines are known for. Its full-motion handlebars ensure proper upper and lower body workouts targeting different muscle groups.
Body Power BST800 Elliptical Summary
My first impression of the Body Power BST800 and it’s evident it was designed for short trainers. Its general compact design and Curve-Crank technology deliver low-impact, cardio workouts with ease. Although the stride length is not spelled out, it’s definitely 13″ or less. It’s ideal for short people who naturally won’t be comfortable on elliptical machines with longer strides.
- Compact design
- Functions as an elliptical and stepper
- 8 resistance levels
- LCD performance monitor
- Short stride
- 1-year frame warranty
- No preset workout/user programs
- 12" stride length
- 8-level resistance system
- Oversized foot pedals
- Digital LCD screen
- Device holder
- Level adjuster
The Marcy NS-40501E offers a total body workout with its ergonomic handlebars. It is a compact elliptical with a small footprint. As a result, it fits into apartment gym spaces easily. The cardio machine comes with large pedals and a water bottle holder.
Marcy NS-40501E Elliptical Summary
Marcy NS-40501E is a compact, portable elliptical trainer with a small footprint. It has dimensions of 40 x 18.75 x 13.5 inches (LxWxH) and weighs 77 pounds. However, it has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. The short stride length makes it an ideal elliptical for short person. It also comes with a water bottle holder.
- 12" stride
- Transport wheels
- Digital LCD screen
- 8 levels of resistance
- Full motion soft-grip handlebars
- 2 years warranty
- No preset user programs
- Interactive DualTrack LCD
- 29 customizable programs
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 20" precision path stride
- 25 levels of resistance
- Motorized incline
The Nautilus elliptical models are some of the best elliptical machines today. The E616 is no different as it comes with innovative features for short and average-height trainers. Its Bluetooth connectivity feature offers limitless workout options to trainers. Explore the World app takes trainers to amazing destinations all over the world from the comfort of their homes.
Nautilus E616 Elliptical Summary
The Nautilus E616 Elliptical Trainer delivers stellar features to trainers. It comes with 29 built-in, customizable programs that offer a range of workout possibilities for trainers. A motorized incline with 25 resistance levels is more than enough intensity for any intermediate and expert level trainer. The interactive DualTrack LCD monitors the trainer’s workout performance with ease.
- Explore the World app
- 29 customizable programs
- 20" stride
- 25 levels of resistance
- Motorized incline
- Average frame warranty
- Not so easy assembly
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 14.3 lb quiet flywheel
- Device holder
- Built-in USB charging port
- 10 resistance levels
- 18" stride length
The Horizon Fitness EX-59 is designed to give trainers personalized workout routines by installing an enhanced Bluetooth connection to devices. It comes with sturdy floor stabilizers to guarantee rigidity during workouts. The trainer comes with an easy-to-assemble design with a quiet 14.3 lb flywheel for a smooth flowing workout.
Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Summary
The Horizon Fitness EX-59 is one of the few mid-range elliptical trainers that are easy to assemble. It is a great home exercise machine with a relatively small footprint. It has dimensions of 52.5 x 30.5 x 19 inches (LxWxH). It also has a user weight limit of 300 pounds.
- 3 LED windows display
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Easy assembly
- 10 levels of resistance
- 18" stride length
- No incline options
- No on/off control switch
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 14.3 lb quiet flywheel
- Device holder
- Built-in USB charging port
- 10 resistance levels
- 18" stride length
With the ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT, trainers can exercise with two machines in one. It easily doubles as a recumbent bike and an elliptical. It comes with a 30-day iFit trial membership feature, opening trainers into a world of endless workout routines and expert fitness coaches.
ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT Summary
The ProForm Hybrid Trainer XT is designed as an elliptical and recumbent bike. This gives trainers maximum cardio workouts and cuts the costs of buying two different fitness machines. With a stride length of 15 inches, it’s no surprise it made the best short stride elliptical list.
- 15" stride length
- 3 sets of handlebars
- Integrated device shelf
- 16 resistance levels
- Transport wheels
- Subscription needed for iFit membership
- 1-year warranty
- Integrated device shelf
- 15" elliptical stride length
- Front-mounted transportation wheels
- 16 levels of resistance
- Digital monitor
- Padded seat
NordicTrack is synonymous with excellence as far as elliptical trainers go. The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Smart Elliptical is a commercial-grade elliptical boasting all the smart features on most elliptical trainers today. Built with alloy steel, this elliptical trainer comes with durability and sturdy construction.
NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical Summary
The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Smart Elliptical Machine is a commercial-grade trainer with all the smart features of larger ellipticals. It has adjustable stride and incline features that allow short fitness trainers to adjust to their desired comfort levels. It also offers more workout programs than most of the other trainers. It comes with a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds.
- Adjustable 19" stride length
- 14" smart HD interactive touchscreen display
- AutoBreeze workout fan
- 26 digital levels of resistance
- 20° adjustable power incline
- Large and heavy elliptical machine
- Subscription needed for iFit membership
FAQ
1. What elliptical is good for short people?
Short people will require an elliptical machine with a short stride length. This ensures they get the best comfort while on the machine. They can opt for elliptical exercise equipment with stride lengths of 11 to 15 inches or one offering adjustable stride features.
2. What stride length elliptical do I need?
This would depend on your height. More often than not, taller trainers have longer strides than short trainers. Try calculating your normal walking stride to determine the best stride length elliptical machine that’s fit for you.
3. Which is the better front wheel or rear wheel elliptical machine?
Rear-wheel ellipticals allow for a significantly longer stride length than front-wheel ellipticals. This is a result of the build and design. Ultimately, it’s all a matter of preference for comfort and which gives the best cardio workout results.
Conclusion
The major determining factor for comfort, with regards to height, is the stride length. Taller trainers would naturally need wider strides than a short person. However, many elliptical machines are designed with short to average stride lengths. Others offer adjustability features that allow trainers to adjust strides to what suits them best.
Fortunately, most ellipticals with shorter stride lengths are offered at a more affordable price than their counterparts. To best determine the proper stride length that works best for you, start by measuring your normal walking stride distance. The aim is to enhance the number of calories burned and properly tone your muscles.
