There’s no doubt that ellipticals are one of the best cardio exercise equipment, but most designs take up significant floor space. Conversely, compact designs offer smaller footprint options but do not always make storage easy.
Foldable designs help reduce the overall footprint of these ellipticals. Some of the top fitness brands offer this SpaceSaver feature. It allows the elliptical machine to be folded vertically or reduced to half the size. This makes storage easy and super-efficient.
Thankfully, these folding ellipticals come in different designs. It ranges from simple air walk designs to standard elliptical machine designs. To help trainers make the best decision, the article reviews the top four best folding elliptical machines.
How to choose The Folding Elliptical
There are several factors to consider when looking for the best folding elliptical trainers. This will help narrow the options on what suits your exercise needs and space.
Design & Construction
Folding ellipticals come in different designs and construction materials. There are lightweight folding elliptical machines with simple designs. They fold halfway and reduce the total size by half. However, they don’t have as many features as standard cross-training machines. The material used should also be durable and make the elliptical machine stable. The foldable designs should not compromise the quality of the construction material and its durability.
Stride Length
Ellipticals have stride lengths that mimic naturally walking strides to achieve a low-impact, full-body exercise. Different brands offer different strides on different models. What’s most important is buying one that delivers the most comfort.
On an elliptical machine, stride length is the distance between the pedals when they’re far apart. A major determinant of stride length is the height of the trainer. Taller trainers usually have longer legs and naturally have longer strides than short trainers.
Even folding ellipticals come in different stride lengths. The strides are either adjustable or non-adjustable. Ellipticals with adjustable strides are often more expensive than their non-adjustable counterparts.
Folding ellipticals come with a range of strides, with air walk designs having the longest. In addition, they come with an extended stride of 30″. With this, trainers have a range of workout motions to perform, from slow walks to full runs.
Resistance
Elliptical machines provide resistance which the trainer must overcome by exerting pressure on the footplates. The resistance is controlled by different mechanisms, with magnetic resistance being the most popular.
This means magnets adjust the tension created by the flywheel. Increasing the resistance level also increases the workout intensity as much pressure is required to overcome it. Another common resistance mechanism in these folding ellipticals is air resistance.
A typical example is a compact elliptical glider with a dual-action split suspension design. Trainers must overcome the air resistance by moving the oversized foot pedals in a back and front motion.
Incline
Elliptical machines have incline features to help increase or decrease the workout intensity. Some are power adjusted, while others are manually adjusted. Incline mimics walking or running up or down a slope. To increase the intensity, the incline angle is raised.
Foldable compact ellipticals either come with or without incline options. When it comes to incline, it comes with a power-adjustable feature of up to 10 degrees. This is an excellent angle to give great workout intensity.
Budget
Ellipticals come in different price ranges and options. They come in expensive and affordable elliptical options. Naturally, the more features and upgrades installed on an elliptical machine, the more expensive it is. However, some brands can offer an affordable folding model with decent features.
Foldable ellipticals also come at different prices. There are machines available for every reasonable budget. Simple compact folding elliptical trainers like gliders cost far less than heavy-duty, vertical folding SpaceSaver models. There are also other options in between these extremes.
List Of The Top 3 Best Foldable Elliptical
- Material: Steel
- Space-Saving foldable Design
- 30-inch stride length
- Informative LCD Display
- Adjustable abdominal pad
- Non-slip pedals
- Handlebars: Full motion
- Max User Weight: 220 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 25 X 19 X 57 inches
- Item Weight: 35 Pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- 30-Day iFIT Membership
- Vertical SpaceSaver Design
- Adjustable stride
- 22 Digital Resistance Levels
- Adjustable Power Ramp
- 5” Backlit Display
- CoolAire Workout Fan
- Max User Weight: 325 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 80 x 32 x 67 inches
- Item Weight: 215 Pounds
- Material: Steel
- Dual-action split suspension design
- Foldable footprint for easy storage
- Completely smooth and quiet
- 5-function workout tracker
- Handlebars with high-density foam
- Max User Weight: 250 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 43 x 28 x 53.75 inches
- Item Weight: 0.63 Pounds
4 Best Folding Ellipticals Trainers
- Display: Multifunctional Digital LCD monitor
- Foldable design: Yes
- Recommended Maximum Weight: 220 pounds
- Stride length: 30 inches
- Handlebars: Full motion
- Product Dimensions: 25 X 19 X 57 Inches (LxWxH)
- Product Weight: 35 pounds
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Air Walk Trainer gives users a wide range of aerobic exercises while on the folding elliptical. In addition, it allows trainers to enjoy the benefits of walking, skiing, stretching and running. This is made possible with the build and design of the SF-E902 Air Walk.
An outstanding feature is the folding ability of the machine. It can easily be folded to half its size. This makes it easy to store away in tight spaces and closet spaces. As a folding elliptical, it guarantees full-body cardio workouts with zero stress on the joints, back, and hips.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Elliptical Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Air Walk Trainer is a simple folding elliptical for beginners. It comes with a slim, compact design that makes it easy to relocate and store. As a folding elliptical, its slim, foldable feature allows the elliptical to be folded into half its size and stored in small storage spaces. It has an unfoldable footprint of 25 X 19 X 57 Inches (LxWxH) making an ideal space saver.
The trainer offers an extended stride length of 30″. With its air resistance mechanism, trainers can perform walking, skiing, stretching, and running exercises. To ensure stability and balance while on the machine, it comes with an adjustable abdominal pad to support the weight of fitness trainers. It can support a maximum user weight of 220 pounds.
- Air resistance mechanism
- Foldable design
- Multifunctional digital performance monitor
- 30" stride length
- Full motion arm exercises
- No workout programs
- 1-year frame warranty
- Display: 5" Backlit LCD screen
- Foldable design: Yes
- Recommended Maximum Weight: 325 pounds
- Stride length: 18" adjustable stride length
- Handlebars: Full motion
- Product Dimensions: 80 x 32 x 67 inches (LxWxH)
- Product Weight: 215 pounds
NordicTrack is a household name in the world of ellipticals. Their creative, solid elliptical designs have endeared the brand to the hearts of many fitness enthusiasts. The SpaceSaver SE7i comes true to its name with its vertical folding features. When you’re done with the day’s workout, vertically fold the elliptical and store it away in a good storage area.
It is powered by a rear-drive system that delivers smooth, quiet motion during workouts. As a smart, folding elliptical machine, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity that enables easy connection to external devices. It also comes with the iFit trainer app with unlimited exercise routines and expert fitness trainers.
NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i Elliptical Summary
The NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i can be seen as an entry-level smart elliptical that comes with decent features. It may have an average footprint size, but its foldable feature enables trainers to fold the machine for storage vertically. In addition, it comes with rear-mounted transport wheels to relocate its 215 pounds weight. It has a maximum weight recommendation of 325 pounds.
It comes with additional features that include Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers, Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities, Google Maps™ Technology, Bottle Holder, Oversized Levelers, and device holder.
This foldable elliptical comes iFit enabled. To get trainers started, it comes included with a 30-day iFit trial membership. Trainers would have unlimited access to all the iFit fitness programs, exercise routines, and professional personal trainers.
However, for an elliptical of its status, it comes with a small LCD and only 10 years warranty on the structural frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor. Other brands with less features offer lifetime frame warranty to boost customer trust.
- Vertical folding elliptical machine design
- 18" adjustable stride length
- 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced flywheel
- 22 levels of magnetic resistance
- 5" backlit LCD screen
- Small LCD screen for an elliptical of this size
- No incline options
- Foldable Design: Yes
- Display: 5 Function Digital LCD Monitor
- Recommended Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Stride length: about 30, not specified
- Handlebars: Full motion
- Product Dimensions: 43 x 29.25 x 53.75 inches (LxWxH)
- Product Weight: 45 pounds
Have you ever wanted a low-impact exercise with an elliptical trainer but felt the machines were too sophisticated to work with? The Gazelle Edge Glider offers a simple design solution for a low-impact, lower and upper body workout experience. It is an excellent trainer to burn calories, improve cardiovascular endurance, and effectively tone muscles.
Its extended stride features offer a range of workout motions. Trainers can transition from slow walk exercises to full runs within seconds. Its frame is built with a 1.5″ rolled steel material for durability, ensuring better workout stability. As a foldable elliptical, the Edge Glider can be folded to reduce its size for quick and easy storage.
Gazelle GEDGECAT Edge Glider Summary
The Gazelle GEDGECAT Edge Glider comes off as a simple, basic design but don’t let that fool you. It offers an excellent total body workout like any other elliptical trainer. Gazelle delivers this trainer as an easy and simple alternative to low-impact exercises. As a lightweight elliptical, it has a total weight of 45 pounds. With its folding feature, it can easily be assembled, relocated, and stored with ease.
Its patented, dual-action split suspension offers a wide range of motion. Trainers can step on its oversized non-slip pedals and choose whatever workout range routine to perform. It is made from a 1.5-inch rolled steel material and can support a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.
Although it doesn’t come with built-in workout programs, it offers a workout DVD and a nutrition guide to help trainers stay fit on and off the machine. Consequently, a 12-month warranty seems too short for a product like this. As an elliptical suited for elliptical beginners, an average warranty should have sufficed.
- Lightweight, folding elliptical design
- 5-function digital monitor
- 1 workout DVD and nutrition guide
- Oversized non-slip foot pedals
- Range of motion with its patented, dual-action split suspension
- 12 months warranty
- No water bottle holder
- Display: 7" Smart HD Touchscreen
- Foldable Design: Vertical Space Saving Design
- Recommended Maximum Weight: 325 pounds
- Stride length: 18" auto-adjustable stride length
- Handlebars: Full motion
- Product Dimensions: 80 x 32 x 67 inches (LxWxH)
- Product Weight: 218 pounds in the box
As a good upgrade to the SE7i, the NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i is the best elliptical in the brand’s SpaceSaver series. Although most features are similar to its predecessor, it comes with unique smart upgrades that make it stand out. For example, its predecessor’s 5″ backlit LCD is increased and upgraded to a 7″ Smart HD Touchscreen.
Its 2″ digitally amplified speakers offer a wide range of entertainment to trainers during workouts. It introduces a wireless heart rate monitoring feature that allows easy connection to its included Bluetooth chest strap.
It is a rear-drive elliptical that is known to allow for naturally longer and natural-feel strides. While most rear-drive ellipticals are known for their size, a foldable elliptical design allows users to store the trainer effectively. Its transport wheels also make it super easy to move the machine around.
NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i Elliptical Summary
The NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i is a remarkable piece of cardio machine. It comes with amazingly smart and basic features, making it one of the most sought-after ellipticals on the market. One of the most noticeable upgrades is the 7″ Smart HD Touchscreen that gives trainers an interactive experience with the iFit app.
The features of the SE9i make it a beast amongst its contemporaries. With 24 adjustable resistance levels, expert trainers are guaranteed a wide range of workout intensities as seen in commercial-grade ellipticals.
The large footprint design is heavily compensated with a foldable design that allows the machine to be folded vertically. This enhances storage and relocation capabilities. Other smart features on this folding elliptical include Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers, Bluetooth Audio Capabilities, Google Maps™ Technology, 18″ auto-adjustable stride length, CoolAire AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan, and motorized incline.
- Vertical Space Saving Design
- 7" Smart HD Touchscreen
- 18" auto-adjustable stride
- 24 magnetic resistance levels
- Adjustable power incline of 0 to 10 degrees
- Sign up and subscription needed for iFit membership
- Average 10 years frame warranty
FAQ
1. How much space do you need for an elliptical?
A lot would depend on the size of the elliptical trainer. Since elliptical trainers come in different sizes from under the desk to commercial-grade, the floor space would also vary. However, ellipticals with foldable designs allow trainers to fold the elliptical trainers when not in use. This makes them excellent space savers for any space.
2. Does an elliptical fold?
Yes, an elliptical can fold. However, it must come with a foldable design that allows it to be folded vertically or half its size. Foldable ellipticals are often referred to as SpaceSavers because they help maximize workout floor space.
3. Is It Better to go Forward or Backward on an Elliptical?
Depending on the muscle groups you intend to work on. For example, going backward on an elliptical trainer surprises the muscles of the body since it’s not the body’s natural motion. Going backward targets the muscles of the calves and quads. On the other hand, going forward on elliptical targets the glutes and hamstrings.
Conclusion
One of the earliest drawbacks of elliptical trainers was that they were cumbersome and bulky. They had to introduce compact and foldable designs to make them perfect for home gym use. The foldable designs make it easy to store these best foldable ellipticals since they help reduce their overall footprint.
If you’re looking for ellipticals to achieve fitness goals but live in a small apartment with less floor space or have minimal space for workouts, these best folding ellipticals are a good way to go. The article reviews the four best compact folding elliptical trainers on the market. It also introduces fitness enthusiasts to the best features to look out for when buying folding ellipticals.
