If you don’t have time to read the entire review and just want to find out what the Best Compact Elliptical Machines for Small Spaces is, then we recommend the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine as the best choice.
Elliptical machines are a fantastic way to get a great cardio workout with no unwanted impact on your joints. They are ideal for injury recovery, people with sensitive joints, or anyone who just wants a great workout with less soreness afterward, and have a huge range of additional health benefits.
If you are accustomed to working out on the high-end elliptical machines used in gyms and fitness centers, you know how great they are, and may be looking to enjoy an elliptical workout at home. However, those gym-style ellipticals are big and heavy, and are not suited to smaller spaces like a home gym or home office.
So, we are looking at compact ellipticals that are a better fit in smaller spaces.
In this post, we’ve reviewed the Best Compact Elliptical Machines for Small Spaces. These are:
- Best Compact Elliptical for HIIT Training at Home: Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
- Best Overall Compact Elliptical: Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer with Curve-Crank Technology
- Best Compact Elliptical for Working from Home: Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine for Home Workout
- Best Simple Compact Elliptical Machine: EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer w/LCD Monitor and Pulse Rate Grips
- Best Compact Elliptical for Studio Apartments: Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper Step Machine
Why Use a Compact Elliptical Machine at Home?
In 2020, more people are working from home than ever before, and many companies have announced that remote working will be a permanent part of their company policies. This means that many workers have lost access to company gyms and fitness facilities and are spending more time at home.
Working from home also naturally reduces the number of steps taken each day, even steps taken to and from the car or bus, steps taken to and from workplace offices and conference rooms, and steps taken during lunch and break periods. For many people, working from home means working in a more restricted space, and being more sedentary every day.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise every week in order to avoid the negative heart and health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Having an elliptical machine at home is a near-perfect way to get a healthy amount of exercise at home because:
Elliptical workouts are cardio workouts. Elliptical machines strengthen your heart and lungs, while helping the body burn calories and improve overall fitness.
Elliptical workouts have virtually no impact. Unlike some fitness routines that subject the feet and joints to repeated stress and impacts, elliptical machines protect the feet and body from repetitive shocks and impact.
Ellipticals offer a full body workout. When used correctly, you can get a full body workout on an elliptical machine, making it a better choice than treadmills for full-body fitness.
Ellipticals feel easier. Studies show that people tend to work out at higher intensity levels on an elliptical machine than a treadmill, because it feels easier.
Total body fitness and bone health also requires some strength exercises 1-2 times a week, but having an elliptical machine is a great way to maintain cardiovascular health. Here are some of the best compact elliptical machines to use at home.
Best Compact Elliptical Machines for Small Spaces
1. Best Compact Elliptical for HIIT Training at Home: Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
An elliptical machine is a fantastic way to do HIIT interval training, and the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine is a full-featured elliptical packed into a small size. It has 16 levels of resistance, heart rate tracking, built-in workout modes, and is compatible with Schwinn’s mixed-reality app that lets you race with friends in beautiful locations around the world.
It takes up just 53.8 x 24 inches of floor space but has a generous 18 inch stride length to give everyone a great workout. Although it’s small, it’s exceptionally sturdy and stable, so the long stride length, large range of resistance levels, and built-in intensity modes make it a great machine for HIIT elliptical workouts.
The Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine measures 53.8 x 24 x 62.5 inches, so it’s friendly for small living spaces, but it has a full 18 inch stride length to suit any body and any workout intensity. This elliptical is also sturdy and stable, which allows it to operate very quietly, and lets you do high-intensity workouts without creaks and wobbles.
It has 16 levels of intensity, and automatically tracks time, speed, distance, and calories burned. It comes with manual, challenge, and HIIT workout modes so you can get a great workout. It has a water bottle holder and a media tray for your devices.
This elliptical is compatible with the Explore the World app, that lets you virtually race 27 different routes in 19 beautiful locations around the world and share your mixed-reality experience with your friends.
The Schwinn 411 also has Bluetooth connectivity that will allow it to track your heart rate when you use your own compatible heart rate monitor strap like this one.
The Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine has a maximum user weight of 300 pounds and is backed by a 10-year warranty on the frame, 2 years on the parts, 1 year for electronics, and 90 days labor.
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2. Best Overall Compact Elliptical: Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer with Curve-Crank Technology
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer with Curve-Crank Technology has an innovative design that combines the zero-impact rotation of an elliptical trainer with the vertical motion of a stepper, for a two-in-one workout that is more efficient, for faster results in a shorter period of time.
The curved crank technology provides even tension on the x and y axes throughout every step, for a motion that is free of dead zones and provides consistent resistance throughout each stride. It has a compact design, with transport wheels that make it easy to move, so it’s a great choice for maximum results in a small living space.
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer combines two exercise movements in one: it has a zero-impact elliptical rotation, with the vertical motion of a stepper. This curved motion, along with the synchronized upper body handles, give you a whole body cardio workout that burns more calories in less time, without impact on your joints.
The heavy-duty flywheel is quiet and smooth, powered by a unique curved crank that disperses force in two directions at once, for a pedal motion that is smooth and consistent throughout the full range of motion. It has eight levels of resistance, and an onboard LCD computer that track time, speed, distance, and calories burned during your workout.
It has a built-in media shelf for your devices, and transport wheels that make it easy to move when not in use. It’s a compact, easy to use, two-in-one trainer designed to give you great results in less time.
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer measures 42 x 28 x 62 inches and is rated for users up to 250 pounds.
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3. Best Compact Elliptical for Working from Home: Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine for Home Workout
Even the smallest home or home office has room for the Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine. This award-winning little machine is designed to give you a no-impact elliptical workout while seated at your desk.
More and more people are working from home and looking for ways to stay fit during the day, but under-desk treadmills can be large and expensive, and require additional space for a standing desk.
The Cubii Pro lets you have an elliptical workout seated at a traditional desk or table, or even while watching TV in your favorite chair. The companion app lets you track your workouts and sync your Cubii Pro with a Fitbit. It’s quiet, smooth, and a great way to work out while you work.
The Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine has a smooth, ergonomic motion that lets you exercise without impact on the knees or joints. It has 8 levels of resistance, so you can easily control your workout intensity. It’s tiny and quiet, so it fits easily under a desk or table and won’t disrupt your work.
Use the companion app and the built-in Bluetooth connection to track your workouts by time, distance, strides, and calories, or set personal goals and compete with other users. The Cubii Pro will also sync your workout data with other mobile apps, including the Fitbit App and Apple Health Kit.
The Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine measures 22.8 x 17.2 x 9.8 inches. It comes with two wheel stoppers to prevent wheeled office chairs from rolling while using the machine.
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4. Best Simple Compact Elliptical Machine: EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer w/LCD Monitor and Pulse Rate Grips
The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer has all the essential features you need in a compact elliptical machine, including a smooth belt-driven flywheel, eight levels of magnetic resistance, an LCD monitor that tracks your workouts, pulse monitoring in the handle bars, and a media shelf.
It doesn’t have a lot of advanced features, but for those who want a simple, reliable elliptical machine that doesn’t take up a lot of space, it’s a great choice.
The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer is a compact and mobile elliptical, with convenient transport wheels that let you roll it away when it isn’t needed. The belt driven flywheel operates quietly with less maintenance, and adjustable leg stabilizers prevent excess noise and movement.
Pulse monitoring in the handlebars allows you to exercise at the right intensity for your body, and the LCD monitor displays your time, speed, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. It has eight levels of magnetic resistance, and a media shelf for your devices.
The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer measures 41 x 26 x 59.5 inches and is rated for users up to 220 pounds.
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5. Best Compact Elliptical for Studio Apartments: Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper Step Machine
The Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper Step Machine is incredibly compact and portable, and the smooth hydraulic motion of the stepper operates without noise or friction, and without being plugged in. The steel frame supports you with great stability, as you use the pivoting, stepping motion to get a great lower body workout with no impact.
At just 28 pounds, and with no need to supply power to the machine, it moves easily from place to place, and is sleek enough to tuck into a corner in even the smallest living space.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper Step Machine has a sturdy steel frame and simple hydraulic operation, so it is stable and quiet, easy to use anywhere. With a footprint of just 17.5 x 18 inches, it’s small enough for even the smallest homes, and it’s lightweight and easy to move.
The multi-function LCD display monitors your time, steps, and calories with every workout. The handlebars and step height are adjustable for users of different heights, and the over-sized non-slip pedals keep your feet secure and stable. It has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.
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Conclusion
Our top pick for the best compact elliptical machine for small space is the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine. It has all the advanced features people look for in an elliptical, including mixed reality workouts that let you explore the world from your home. It’s also a sturdy and stable elliptical with a comfortably long stride length, so it’s suitable for tall people, tough workouts, and HIIT training at home.
For the smallest of spaces, the Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine is the perfect alternative. It’s a great way to get an elliptical workout while working at your desk, or even watching TV. The companion app tracks your progress, and it’s a simple, ultra-portable way to get an elliptical workout in a small space.
