How to Find the Best Elliptical for your Apartment


Fitness equipment, whether residential or commercial models, will usually take up more room than not and possibly even be a sight for sore eyes. What if you could find an option that didn’t take up too much room and might even be able to fit in a closet when not in use? Well, ellipticals come in all shapes and sizes, and with a market this saturated, you will be sure to find a model that fits in your tight space! It can get tricky to tell the difference between a high-quality trainer and one that is not durable but looks “expensive.” Taking a look at the specs of each elliptical will put into perspective the most vital parts of it. Below we compile a list of what to look for when on the market for a compact elliptical- read it before you make your purchase decision!

Must-Haves

Some of the features you’ll want to consider in your hunt for an elliptical that fits in your apartment are: 

• Stride Length: It is not uncommon for small ellipticals to have a short stride length because they are inherently smaller overall. However, no one is going to feel comfortable using a trainer with a 14″ stride length regardless of how short you might be! Keep your eyes peeled for one whose stride is at least 20 inches. 
• Adjustable Incline Levels: Some people, like those who are using the trainer more leisurely, don’t mind whether or not you have an adjustable incline. For others, however, it is a must-have feature. If you’re looking to increase the intensity of your workout and burn fat at a faster rate, you should find a model with a few different incline levels. Burning more calories during the same period as your non-incline workout is beneficial for those looking to lose weight.
• Adjustable Resistance: Another feature of your elliptical that will increase the intensity, calories burned, and your overall fitness progress. Resistance is the friction at which you are working against while exercising. Increasing this will make your work out excessively harder, pushing your body into overdrive and burning those extra calories you couldn’t seem to shake off. Resistance is usually included but make sure you don’t assume before confirming for yourself. 
• Smooth Movements: No one wants a machine that is uncomfortable to use as if motivating yourself to get on it in the first place isn’t hard enough! Trying out the elliptical and making sure the movement isn’t hard to complete is necessary unless you have read original reviews that you can trust. 
• Upper Handle Bars: These are not vital to complete your cardio session but aid in creating a well-rounded workout by activating your upper body, too. These will tone your arms and work different muscle groups that wouldn’t have been targeted otherwise. 
• Noise Level: No one wants to buy a residential cardio machine that’s going to bother everyone else in the household. Regardless of if it’s a treadmill, elliptical, or bike, there are quiet options on the market that will not go past the desired noise level while still providing a tough workout.

Safety Precautions

 most trainers will come with a warm-up and cool-down setting because they create more room for safety than those that don’t. Having the option to press a button that immediately slows you down might prevent an injury or strain that wouldn’t have halted with a model not carrying this feature. Other safety features include a good warranty- this not only ensures that any arising issue is covered, but it is also a sign of whether or not the manufacturer trusts in their production. If the warranty only lasts for 6-months, what does that tell you? Quality models from reputable brands will more often than not offer a lifetime warranty on the frame. Parts will be covered for less time, but the frame is the most important factor. 

Give it a Go

Before you make your purchase decision, it’s wise to not only do your research but also try it out for yourself. Chances are there’s a store in your area carrying the model- if not, look for reputable online reviews from past buyers giving their opinion and possibly even telling you what they don’t love about it. Whichever way you go, just make sure you don’t blindly buy a fitness machine without your own opinion or the opinion of other users. A blind buy will never work out in your favor!

Summary

To sum it up, the main features to consider on your hunt for the perfect small elliptical are basically the same factors as those of a regular-sized model. The difference is that the small trainers will be more likely to not deliver on the above points. We recommend NordicTrack, Sole, and ProForm as everything they make is of high quality.