If shapely legs and calorie burn are your top fitness goals, you should consider getting an elliptical. Compared to cycling and treadmill walking, ellipticals are most effective in targeting the quads and hamstrings, your major thigh muscles.
A typical elliptical is midway between a treadmill and a stair stepper. Most are large and can only fit in spacious gyms. While there are space saving ellipticals as well, not all are worth their high price.
It can be a challenge to select the best space saver elliptical machine for yourself. You need to choose a durable one that has all the features you require. Below we’ve shortlisted the best ellipticals for small spaces, so you can buy one that suits you best.
Best Ellipticals For Small Spaces
1. Bowflex M5 Max Elliptical Trainer
The Bowflex M5 Max Trainer is a sleek space-saving elliptical with handles. It has a slim footprint along with a valuable combination of features for the price. It’s also a stepper in many ways so that you can get the combined benefits of two gym machines in one.
The M5 Max Trainer has an interactive backlit LCD display that shows the calories you burn per minute. It also offers 8 workout programs and 16 levels of resistance to suit both beginners and pros. Heart rate monitors in the form of contact grips, as well as the included chest strap, can help you stay in the correct heart rate zone.
This elliptical is compatible with the Max Trainer App, thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. The app allows you to track and monitor your goals and offers fitness videos as well. While exercising on this elliptical is low-impact, the calorie-burning power is similar to that of a stepper. Having plenty of workout options packed in a compact cardio machine, this could help you along in your fitness journey.
What we like
What we don't like
2. Bowflex BXE116 Compact Elliptical Review
The Bowflex BXE116 Elliptical works quietly for at-home cardio as well as for resistance training.
With its solid 30-pound drive system, the BXE116 is stable with smooth functioning. It comes with a 7.5-inch LCD monitor to track your workout stats. Other fitness-friendly features include 9 pre-programmed workouts, 25 resistance levels, and Bluetooth connectivity to popular fitness apps. Tech-friendly features include an oversized media rack, a USB charger, and connectivity for up to 4 users.
This quiet elliptical trainer also has separate hand grips and a chest strap for heart rate monitoring. The large weight capacity of 375 lbs is more than that offered by typical heavy duty ellipticals.
Plus, this elliptical has a long stride length of 22 inches, which makes it one of the best ellipticals for tall users.
A few individuals have complained of even the minimum resistance being difficult, so it may not suit beginners. The calorie burn meter is also not very reliable.
It is still a popular elliptical with a small footprint than usual. While it doesn’t have flawless electronics, it can offer a smooth, quiet ride in the comfort of your own home.
What we like
What we don't like
3. Cubii Jr Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Review
The Cubii Jr Under-Desk Elliptical is likely to be the smallest elliptical machine there is! It only has a low base with foot pedals and none of the upper structures. It can be kept under your desk in the office or right by your couch, all ready to use.
The Cubii Jr is pretty easy to assemble with the fixing of just 4 screws needed. While it has 8 levels of resistance, the maximum resistance is not as high as you would expect. There is a display monitor that shows duration, distance, calories, RPM, and strides. The lightweight of this elliptical allows easy portability, and the ergonomic design ensures comfort during use.
While it is mostly whisper-quiet, a few customers have complained that their machines turned a little noisy after a few uses. It offers a low-impact workout for the quads, hamstrings, calves, hips, and core. Overall, this can be an excellent compact elliptical for home use if you’re short on space or just too lazy to stand up and exercise.
Thus, the Cubii offers another model - the Cubii Pro - which has bluetooth connectivity and a smaller footprint and than the previous model, but more expensive.
What we like
What we don't like
4. Doufit EM-01 Lightweight Elliptical Machine Review
This Doufit model is most appreciated for being quiet and compact. The maximum weight capacity of 220 lbs is enough for most people with average weight. The height range accommodated is between 5 and 5.9 feet, which makes this elliptical a good option for short people.
This compact elliptical uses a large, magnetic flywheel that is smooth, safe, and efficient. It also has a small display for all your workout stats and heart rate. The magnetic resistance can be switched between 8 levels by simply turning a knob. It also has slim, dual-action workout arms, a bottle holder, and large, textured pedals for grip.
Installing this Doufit elliptical is not that difficult. While some people have complained of a squeaking noise, the majority have marveled at its quietness. Overall, it can be a valuable addition to your home gym.
What we like
What we don't like
Things To Look For Before Buying a Compact Elliptical for Home Use
Dimensions - Footprint
When you need a space saver elliptical machine, you should obviously consider the dimensions. Only browse through ellipticals with small footprints that you can fit your needs and consider frame dimensions as well.
Weight Capacity
Since compact ellipticals often tend to have less bulk, they sometimes may not be able to handle heavy users. If larger individuals are going to use the machine, pay attention to weight capacity.
Workout Features
An incline option can seriously amp up your calorie burn and resistance training. Resistance levels also vary in different ellipticals, and generally, more levels mean more variety. You should still check the minimum and maximum resistance offered by a machine.
Most ellipticals display the calories burned along with time and distance covered as well. Some even connect to cool workout apps that can keep you hooked to the machine and maximize fat burn that way.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Staying in the right heart rate zone is essential for achieving your fitness goals. A heart rate monitor on an elliptical can help you do just that.
Features of Convenience
Valuable perks to an elliptical include charging ports, media racks, and good speakers. Some cardio machines are easier to set up than others. While some ellipticals may be super quiet, others may be noisier, which can be a problem.
Conclusion
With their generally high cost and complex machinery, it is recommended to buy the right elliptical for small spaces. What you need is a quiet, durable machine that motivates you to stay active. Spending some extra bucks for quality is better than having a cheaper machine that keeps breaking down.