An elliptical trainer or cross-trainer is a low-impact cardio workout machine that simulates climbing the stairs, running or walking, without any impact on the joints. The most popular of these machines are the ones that work out the upper and lower body parts. However, some are also designed without the upper part.
Also, an elliptical trainer helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis. It does this because it gives the user weight-bearing exercise.
On the other hand, you want to own an elliptical, but you have no spare room. Your only option is a room or a basement with low ceilings. That’s a challenge most of us face; luckily, there is a solution.
Low Profile ellipticals can help you get a proper cardio workout even when you have constricted space at home. They are designed to work in rooms with ceilings as low as 8 feet.
Despite the benefits that you get from a low profile elliptical, it is a bit challenging to buy one for the first time. There are so many of them, and they all claim to be the best. You cannot be sure it will help you meet your fitness goals.
In this article, we have done the homework for you, and we bring you 5 of the best ellipticals for low ceilings. Read on to see their features and specs.
Best Ellipticals for low ceilings
1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3862 Magnetic Elliptical
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3862 elliptical trainer comes with many convenient features. These include a high-quality monitor, manual mode for use when there is no electricity, bottle holder, and textured pedals. There is an integrated tablet holder that can hold your tablet or smartphone so that you can watch videos or listen to music as you work out. The machine comes with pulse grips that make it easy to monitor the heart rate.
The 15.75 inches stride length makes the elliptical comfortable for people of average height. So, you have to add it to the list of the best ellipticals for short persons.
Footprint: 63 by 21 by 66 inches (length by width by height)
What we like
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2. Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer Review
The Teeter FreeStep recumbent elliptical is a zero-impact exercise machine. When you work out on this machine, it reduces the stress levels on your joints. It has a water bottle holder, digital console for music and data, and transport wheels for easier storage.
This machine does not have a big footprint, which makes it great for short ceilings. It is in recumbent style, so your back is well supported as you work out, and this also ensures a low impact on your joints. The magnetic resistance is whisper quiet, and the machine gives you a full-body workout.
Footprint: 54 by 38 by 52.5 inches (length by width by height)
What we like
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3. Nautilus Elliptical Trainer E616 Review
The Nautilus Elliptical e616 trainer has a horde of convenient features such as Bluetooth connectivity, 29 preset programs, LCD displays, MP3 port, USB charging port, in-console speakers and many others. The high-end cardio machine has 25 resistance levels and the workouts are smooth and consistent. You can track your workout stats such as speed, heart rate, distance, time and calories burned.
Further, it's included on the list of the best ellipticals with incline, thanks to its 10 degrees of motorized incline.
Footprint: 74 by 26 by 32 inches. This is a medium footprint that is good for your basement.
Step-up height: 12 inches
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4. Horizon Fitness EX-59 Low Profile Elliptical Review
This home elliptical trainer from Horizon & Fitness comes with integrated speakers. You can stream media from your devices to the machine through Bluetooth. Also, when you are on those long workouts, you can keep your device juiced using the available fast-charge USB port on the machine.
The EX-59 elliptical comes with 2 sets of handlebars - fixed grips with pulse sensors to measure your heart rate and movable handlebars. Plus, it has a bottle holder and 2 other holders to put whatever you need in it.
The front-drive elliptical delivers a comfortable upright posture helping you to get the most of your workout.
It has the lowest step-up height on the list with 10 inches only, Plus, Its 64" height makes it a great option for low ceilings rooms or basements.
What we like
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5. Bowflex Stair Stepper Elliptical M7 Max Trainer
No doubt about it, but the Bowflex M7 will set you back a substantial amount of money but from our research, it seems to be well worth every penny that you pay for it. This high-end machine belongs to the stair steppers/climber elliptical type and comes packed with a lot of incredible features.
The Bowflex M7 has a space-saving compact design. It comes with sport performance racing pedals, grade grips, and Aerobar hand position.
You can track your workout progress with the max trainer app. Plus you can synchronize your results with other famous apps like Myfitnesspal, Apple health kit and Google fit.
Bowflex M7 has a 300 lbs weight capacity, so if you are an obese user you should consider this heavy-duty elliptical.
Further, what really makes it one of the best ellipticals for low ceilings is the fact that it has a 12 inches step up height and a small footprint of 49 by 30.5 by 65.5 inches.
What we like
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Factors To Look For Before Buying an Elliptical for Low Ceilings
Before buying an elliptical that fits you low ceiling room you need to get in mind 3 essential factors:
Step-up Height
The first spec to look for is the step-up height of the elliptical. Step-up height is the distance between the floor and the pedal at its highest level.
Usually, you will get a choice of a step-up height starting from 10 inches and can go up to 15 inches depending on the model you chose.
But to be on the safe side, always choose an elliptical with 12" step-on height or less.
Ceiling Height
If your workout spot is in the basement, take a tape measure and run it from the ceiling to the floor. That should give you the height.
Most of the ellipticals we mentioned in our list can work in 8 feet height rooms.
But before you get excited, you need the check the most important factor: your height
User's Height
People who are 6.3 feet or shorter have no trouble using one of the ellipticals machines mentioned above in an 8 feet ceiling rooms.
If you are more than 6.3 feet tall, then you have only two options.
First, get a recumbent elliptical like the Teeter FreeStep Cross Trainer.
Second, look for other alternatives. There are plenty of cardio equipment types to consider, like spin bikes, recumbent exercise bikes, and under-desk steppers.
Conclusion
To know the right elliptical for your need, consider the step-up height of the machine, add your height, and then add a few inches more for your headspace.
That was it; we hope that the article helped you on your mission of choosing the right low profile elliptical.