An elliptical trainer that comes with an adjustable stride length guarantees superb workout benefits as you could customize the elliptical to suit your fitness levels and the needs of users of varying heights.
These adjustable stride elliptical machine sallows every user to adjust the machine depending on their expertise and offers utmost comfort and convenience to anyone who uses it.
It also can be apt for those people who wish to purchase a home gym for their family or when a couple of friends would be using the same machine.
In a hurry? Navigate directly to the list of best adjustable stride ellipticals:
- NordicTrack C 12.9 Elliptical (Adjustable 18″-20″ Stride)
- Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine (Adjustable 20 – 22 Inches Stride)
- Sole E95S Elliptical (Adjustable 18″-24″ Stride)
- SportsArt E845S Elliptical (Adjustable 17″ – 29″ Stride)
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Elliptical with Adjustable Stride?
There is no doubt that the market is filled with an extensive range of ellipticals with adjustable stride length, but it is up to us to choose the right one that fits our requirements wisely. To do this, we must first understand the key features that make any machine a good choice.
One of the vital features to consider is to know whether or not the adjustable stride could be set manually or automatically.
I strongly agree that a manually adjustable machine does cut down your expenses. Still, at the same time, such models could affect your safety—there are ample chances that your fingers might get caught when adjusting the device and hence, become a heavy burden!
Hence, a machine with automatic features is better, safer, and more convenient.
Yet another important aspect that makes any elliptical the best choice is its durability and stability. The machine must be stable, have a solid build, and withstand higher user weight capacities.
Don’t miss out on checking the assembly process and the machine’s storage capacity, as none of us like to spend hours together assembling it. Finally, it’s great if the machine is foldable and equipped with transport wheels to save space.
Benefits of Using an Elliptical Machine with Adjustable Stride
Elliptical machines that come with adjustable stride length allow you to share this machine with other people or family members, so they can adjust the strides to ensure their steps are either not too long or not too small.
But the primary advantage of using an elliptical trainer with an adjustable stride is that you can achieve vigorous cardio and weight-bearing workout with zero impact on your joints. When you run, you exert a force of up to eight times your body weight on your joints, according to “Dr. Scott’s Knee Book: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Knee Problems” by W. Norman Scott and Robert Gotlin.
What Elliptical Stride Length Is Good for You? Optimal Stride Length Chart
| Your Height | Ideal Elliptical Stride Length |
|---|---|
| Under 5’ | 14"-16" |
| 5’-5’5 | 16"-18" |
| 5’5-6’ | 18"-20" |
| 6’ and up | 20"-22" |
Top 4 Picks of the Best Adjustable Stride Ellipticals
#1. NordicTrack C 12.9 Elliptical (Adjustable 18″-20″ Stride)
You might belong to any fitness level, but the NordicTrack C 12.9 remains your best elliptical trainer owing to its features and functionality.
The flywheel weighs 32 pounds, and hence, you can be guaranteed a noiseless performance helping you exercise any time of the day without disturbing others. Choose from any of the 26 different resistance levels to vary your choice of intensity levels.
So, as a beginner or an advanced trainer, you could gain maximum strength and stability working out on this piece of equipment.
The company has provided power inclination functionality that could go up to a maximum of 20 degrees. This way, you can target various muscle groups and increase your metabolic rate.
This NordicTrack trainer offers the best versatility possible as there are 35 workout programs included, each of which was designed by reputed personal trainers. All of the workouts belong to any of the four categories: Incline, Calorie, Speed, and Heart Rate Control.
As the model is provided with a chest strap, you can monitor your heart rate conveniently and check the displayed measurements on the touchscreen. Besides this, there is a CardioGrip heart rate sensor on the handlebars.
If you have selected any workout program but would like to change it, don’t worry. Make use of the handlebar controls to change any of the settings.
With an adjustable stride from 17.5″ to 18.7″, this piece of equipment is suitable for different types of individuals of varying heights. You can also enjoy exercising on different terrains across the world using the iFit Coach enabled on this model.
Track your progress using the 7-inch touchscreen that also has a web browser.
Pros
- Two different heart rate monitoring options
- Power adjustable incline from 0-20 degrees
- Heavy flywheel guarantees low-impact striding.
- Adjustable stride length
- 35 built-in workout programs
- Transport wheels included
Cons
- Not a space-saving model
- Assembly takes longer and needs two people.
- One year iFit membership is compulsory on purchase of the product
#2. Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine (Adjustable 20 – 22 Inches Stride)
You are sure to engage in challenging workouts using the Sole Fitness E35 model as the elliptical is ergonomically built and comes with powerful functionalities.
First and foremost, this model has a powerful stride length from 20 to 22 inches that helps most individuals work out comfortably using it.
Some of the key features include a 25-pound flywheel that brings a quiet operation of the equipment.
The 20-inch stride enables forward, backward motion, and the power-adjustable ramp with 30 levels of inclination helps you experience varying intensity workouts.
With such features, you can target various muscle groups and tone your body, reaping whole-body workout benefits.
Upper-body workouts are possible by making use of the multi-position grips provided on the moving handlebars.
If you are looking for something compact, this is the best model as it uses a front-drive configuration.
Still, you cannot fold the unit but be ready to accommodate the elliptical permanently in one part of the house.
You can change it from one room to another, making use of the transport wheels provided.
There are 10 different workout programs included whose measurements could be followed using the 7.5-inch backlit LCD screen display.
If you love customization, this adjustable stride elliptical can allow for a couple of such programs too.
Pros
- Features such as tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speaker, USB charging port, and Bluetooth connectivity included
- Transport wheels help you move the machine.
- Syncs with mobile applications
- Handlebar resistance controls possible.
- Quiet operation
- 20-22 inch adjustable stride length
Cons
- Not foldable
- It only comes with 10 workout programs.
- The assemble takes time
#3. Sole E95S Elliptical (Adjustable 18″-24″ Stride)
Here is an award-winning best-selling elliptical model, E95, from Sole, a company that thrives in exercise equipment manufacturing.
First and foremost, this is a front-drive elliptical that can withstand up to a maximum user weight of 400 pounds. This talks about the sturdy frame and construction of the elliptical.
The power-adjustable stride length between 18 and 24 inches makes the E95S suitable for different uses to workout comfortably using it.
In terms of resistance levels, it is quite optimal, going from 0 to 20, and there is an adjustable console that can be moved upward or downward to adjust it for varying heights.
While the flywheel and stride length impact a machine’s performance, the foot pedals play an equally important role in determining the optimal performance of the equipment.
Being 15-inches long, the pedal position is ergonomically designed (2-degree inward slope) to minimize the impact on your knees. This way, the Sole E95S model is suitable for a varied range of people.
The manufacturer has provided 10 built-in workout programs, which include heart rate programs. To monitor your heart rate while doing any of these programs, use the wireless chest strap included or even the pulse grip sensors present in the stationary handlebars.
You could use this elliptical for full-body fitness as there are two sets of handlebars—a stationary and a moving one—that could be used to work out your lower body.
If you are looking for a compact model, this piece of equipment might not be the best choice, but it comes with transport wheels that help move it from one room to another.
Apart from functionality, you could surprisingly find that the machine comes fully loaded in terms of features too. There is a water bottle holder, a built-in cooling fan, built-in speakers, and an audio plug-in provided.
Pros
- 9-inch LCD screen
- Adjustable stride length, adjustable console, and various resistance levels
- Lifetime warranty on frame, 5 years on parts and electronics, and 2 years on labor
- 400 pounds of user weight capacity
Cons
- Not compact
- The front-drive design could be quite uncomfortable for individuals with back problems
#4. SportsArt E845S Elliptical (Adjustable 17″ – 29″ Stride)
If you are looking for a total-body, low-impact workout, don’t miss out on the SportsArt E845S Elliptical. This is a self-powered elliptical that requires no external power source for operating it.
This is one of the few ellipticals that offer us an amazing electronically adjustable stride length between 17 and 29 inches. Hence, any of you working out on the elliptical feels utmost comfortable exercising on it.
Moreover, the manufacturer has incorporated the Myflex pedal cushioning system for giving you the best exercise platform.
There are 40 levels of resistance, and it is quite rare to find such high resistance levels.
So, be sure to expect challenging workouts on this model. In terms of frame and construction, expect a sturdy build and a piece of machinery as this is a front-drive elliptical and can withstand up to 450 pounds of user weight.
Among the various programs included, the vari-stride programs help you change stride length to maintain target heart rate, higher calorie-burning abilities, and work out various muscle groups simultaneously.
Operating the machine is very simple, and you can change resistance and stride with the help of the fingertip controls.
Pros
- Contact and wireless heart rate monitoring feature available when paired with heart rate transmitter
- Excellent adjustable stride length
- Make workout adjustments in a jiffy, making use of the fingertip stride and resistance controls
- Energy smart feature minimizes energy consumption
- 40 levels of resistance
Cons
- Expensive
- No console upgrade option
Final Words
An adjustable stride length is of utmost help to families as it helps every member of the family to make efficient use of the machine besides ensuring comfort and convenience.
Choose any model that satisfies your key requirements, has commendable features, and provides value for money. It is also essential that you don’t compromise on the durability and sturdiness of the equipment.
Read Also
- Top 3 Best 16-Inch Stride Ellipticals
- Best 17 Inch Stride Elliptical Machine
- 18-Inch Stride Elliptical Machines
- Top 5 Best 20-Inch Stride Ellipticals
- Top 5 Best 22-inch Stride Ellipticals for Home Use
- Top 7 Best Ellipticals with Power Incline – Review and Buyer’s Guide
- Sole E25 VS Sole E35 – Who Is the Winner?
