Looking for the best ellipticals for tall persons? Ellipticals are a great choice for burning calories, staying healthy, and sculpting your body. Incorporating aerobic exercise into your strength training program will enhance your fitness performance and help gain muscle and strength development.
But it’s a bit tricky to find a suitable elliptical machine for tall users. This is primarily because the requirements to consider before buying an elliptical are quite different for tall people, especially those above 6 feet in height.
If you are a tall individual and want to buy an elliptical machine for your home gym use, the most important thing to consider is the stride length, which determines if this cardio equipment is comfortable to use for tall people. Else, you might suffer from discomfort and cramped fit while pedaling, thereby killing your instincts to exercise.
Stride lengths vary on elliptical models, and if you are 6′ tall or taller, go for an elliptical with a 20-22 inch stride. This will ensure you have ample legroom to make a low-impact, full-body workout.
In a hurry? Here are our top 7 picks of the best ellipticals for tall persons:
- Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine 470 (20 Inches Stride Length)
- Sole Fitness E35—Best Overall for a Tall Person
- ProForm Pro 16.9 Elliptical Trainer
- Body-Solid E300 Endurance Elliptical Trainer for Cardio and Aerobic Training
- NordicTrack NTEL71218 Commercial 12.9 Elliptical Machine
- Nautilus Elliptical Trainer E618—Best 22-inch Stride Elliptical for Taller People
- Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical Trainer with Comfortable 18″ Stride
See the overview, pros & cons below.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Elliptical Machine for a Tall Person
A good elliptical should give you a preferred stride length and keep you comfortable while working out. Before you make a purchase, the major factors to consider include the machine’s flywheel, stride length, maximum user weight capacity, etc.
#1. Long Stride Length
Stride length is the distance of the 2 pedals when moving apart (front to back), and it will determine the comfort level of your workouts. An ideal stride length range for tall people is between 20 and 22 inches. If the elliptical comes with an adjustable stride length, it will be useful for shorter people in your family to use it too.
| 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" |
#2. Flywheel
A flywheel is an integral part of an elliptical which takes care of the equipment’s smooth and noiseless operation. If you are someone over 6 feet in height, it is great to choose a heavier flywheel to guarantee smooth and natural elliptical motion. Look for models with at least 20 pounds flywheel, and then you can simply avoid any kind of staggering or jolting exercise movements which you might face when you work out on an elliptical.
#3. Weight Capacity
Weight capacity indicates the durability and robustness of an elliptical machine. In general, it is wise to purchase an elliptical with at least 300 pounds capacity to support your movements, especially when you are tall or heavy.
Top 7 Best Elliptical Machines for Tall Persons
Considering the above features, I’ve listed down the best ellipticals that pay your money’s worth if you are a tall person. Go through them carefully and make an informed choice.
#1. Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine 470 (20 Inches Stride Length)
Schwinn 470 is an affordable elliptical machine that comes with advanced options for low-impact cardio workouts. The maximum stride length available in the Schwinn 470 is 20 inches, which is best suitable for moderately tall individuals.
This 20-inch stride elliptical is non-foldable. If you are taller than 6′, you might need to place it in a room that has a ceiling height of 8 feet instead of the average 7-foot ceiling height found in basements and garages.
Features include 25 resistance levels that help you work out at your desired pace and effort, a 10% motorized incline that allows you to challenge yourself, a Runsocial app for virtual outdoor exercise, and 29 different preset programs that include fitness tests. So you will never get bored working out on the Schwinn 470.
The footplates, which are important for an elliptical, are well-designed here with extra-large length and ample cushioning. Looking at the machine, you cannot but admire its solid frame construction, which can accommodate users as heavy as 300 pounds.
When you exercise, the equipment keeps you occupied with two different LCD screens that display 13 metrics, including speed, distance, calories burned, RPM, pulse, and more.
It is also telemetry heart-rate enabled, but you don’t get the provisioning of chest straps. Though the handlebars are well-positioned for heart rate reading, you might have to bend to see the numbers if you are tall.
Pros
- High inertia perimeter weighted flywheel drive system (20 lbs) ensures smooth and quiet operation
- 25 resistance levels and 10% power incline
- Listen to music/watch videos via integrated speakers
- Transport wheels help in movement
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No wireless heart rate receiver
- It takes a couple of hours to assemble though the procedure is simple
- Labor warranty is short
#2. Sole Fitness E35
If you are big and tall, don’t look beyond the Sole Fitness E35 elliptical machine. It is a low-impact elliptical that fits users of all types and sizes, giving you a superb exercising experience. This durable elliptical machine comes with a power-adjustable stride length up to a maximum of 22 inches.
You might feel cramped without optimal stride length as well as comfortable foot pedals. But you will never feel either of these problems as the foot pedals are adjustable, ergonomically designed, and ensure to relieve pressure off your ankles and knees.
Though ellipticals primarily take care of your lower body workout, this machine is provided with a pair of moving handlebars (with multi-position handgrips) that help perform upper body workouts as well. In case you don’t prefer this, there is a pair of stationary handlebars to simply rest your hand while pedaling.
The front-drive system has a greater 25 lbs flywheel compared with Sole E25. And the whole frame is well-supported by heavy-duty rails with 4 wheels.
Though you don’t get very many predefined exercise programs, the Sole E35 has six standard programs, two custom programs, and two different heart rate programs.
Try challenging yourself by working out at any of the 20 different resistance levels and using the power incline option that goes as high as 30 degrees.
What’s the fun of doing all the exercise without having a proper console to monitor your metrics? The Sole E35 doesn’t disappoint you in this regard as well.
You get to enjoy a nice and big LCD console that displays all the workout data you would like to know, such as calories burnt, time, distance, heart rate, etc. Besides, Sole E35 comes with built-in speakers that added entertainment to your workouts.
Pros
- Maximum user weight up to 375 pounds
- 25-pounds flywheel guarantees smooth and noiseless operation
- 30 degrees of power incline
- Stationary as well as moving handlebars to suit your needs
Cons
- Though simple, assembly could take a couple of hours
- Extremely heavy (231 lbs) and cannot be moved easily
- Not foldable
#3. ProForm Pro 16.9 Elliptical Trainer
Are you looking for a durable elliptical machine that can be used in an instant as soon as it arrives? The ProForm Pro serves this purpose as it comes almost fully assembled, nullifying any need to spend time and effort in assembling the equipment.
The frame and construction of this 375 lbs weight capacity elliptical are admirable—you get to enjoy a machine that’s built with a solid, commercial-grade steel frame.
The ProForm Pro 16.9 has an appreciable front-drive design along with a 32-pound flywheel that ensures that the equipment operates smoothly and provides a steady stride. And its 20” adjustable stride makes it a great choice for tall people.
The company has come up with its unique patented SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance, which helps you exercise any time of the day without disturbing others as you are guaranteed the quietest performance from it.
The highlight of this front-drive elliptical machine includes its 10-inch full-color touch screen. And you can choose among its 35 different workout programs on the screen to get a wholesome and enjoyable exercise experience and achieve maximum benefits from the elliptical.
The big console screen allows you to access the built-in workout programs and watch your preferred YouTube videos on it.
You get to choose from 26 different resistance levels and adjust up to 20 degrees on the inclination ramp. Enjoy the enthralling experience of high mountains or serene places if you have an iFit subscription.
Pros
- Users as heavy as 375 pounds can easily work out on it
- Patented magnetic resistance guarantees noiseless operation
- Transport wheels help in moving the machine
- Smaller footprint
- 35 built-in workout programs for engaging workouts
Cons
- Price can be an issue
#4. Body-Solid E300 Endurance Elliptical Trainer for Cardio and Aerobic Training
As the name suggests, the E300 elliptical from Body-Solid is a piece of solid equipment that eliminates any chances of rocking as its frame is well-balanced and designed with a low center of gravity. This proves especially useful in case you are heavy or wish to exercise at a higher intensity.
The E300 has a fixed 21-inch stride length and can accommodate up to 300 pounds of user weight.
If you suffer from space crunch, you can choose to go with this equipment as it uses the center drive design that makes it as compact as possible.
You are also ensured of smooth and quiet operation, which makes it advantageous for you to exercise any time of the day without disturbing others. The quiet functioning also helps you listen to your favorite music or watch television while working out.
Though compact, the company has smartly designed the equipment with transport handles that help you do upper body workouts effectively.
You get access to seven different preset workout programs that include interval training and mountain climbing. Make use of the touchscreen console to select any program of your choice and to also monitor your real-time workout data.
For those who love a challenging workout, the Body-Solid E300 elliptical doesn’t disappoint you, as you can choose from 20 different resistance levels on the console. The monitor also saves user data for up to two different users.
Though this equipment is equipped with a grip pulse sensor, it doesn’t work with a chest strap.
Pros
- Center drive design guarantees smooth and quiet operation
- Takes only 1-2 hours to assemble
- Smooth natural stride and stable frame
- Compact in size
Cons
- Price is pretty high for the features offered
#5. NordicTrack NTEL71218 Commercial 12.9 Elliptical Machine
Like the previous model, NordicTrack NTEL71218 Commercial 12.9 elliptical makes use of the center drive system which guarantees quiet and smooth operation besides being compact.
With an auto-adjusting stride length (18 to 20 inches stride), this machine is also a great choice for tall guys who don’t have much space for larger ellipticals.
This NordicTrack elliptical model is extremely stable and durable, with reinforced supports offered on two adjustable and cushioned pedals.
Don’t ever imagine getting bored with this elliptical, as it offers you 35 on-demand workout programs. By using Google Maps and stat tracking technology, you can run anywhere and be motivated by real-time performance.
You can view your performance metrics and watch videos using the 10-inch web-enabled touchscreen. You can also monitor your heart rate, either using the pulse grip sensors or the wireless chest strap. And your workout data will be shown on the screen.
Being iFit enabled, you can choose any virtual outdoor environment to enhance your exercise experience. Moreover, you can use the incline (0° to 20°) and adjustable pedals to target and tone specific muscle groups and add variety to your workout.
Pros
- It easily fits low ceiling heights
- High 375 lbs user weight capacity
- Adjustable 18-22 inch stride length makes it ideal for tall users
- 32 lbs flywheel assures smooth operation at any speed and resistance
- It comes with transport wheels and small in size
- Moving armbars with soft grips
Cons
- Stride adjustment is manual
- Non-foldable
- No facility for storing multiple user profiles
#6. Nautilus Elliptical Trainer E618
This elliptical from Nautilus offers the longest stride range of 22 inches in the series, which makes it the best one for tall users. Individuals as tall as 6’6” can benefit from the natural stride motion provided by the elliptical.
It is a piece of the medium-range elliptical machine, and the 30-pound flywheel is as impressive as it can be, guaranteeing a smooth, natural, and quiet elliptical motion.
The footplate positioning is also ergonomically designed with appropriate angle positioning to minimize the impact on the joints.
The Nautilus E618 is a front-drive elliptical, thereby making it as compact as possible and distributes the weight evenly to achieve admirable balance.
Try challenging workouts using the 29 different built-in workout programs and using the 25 different levels of resistance that help every kind of individual—a beginner trainer, intermediate, or advanced trainer to work out efficiently.
The incline settings allow you to go up to 15 degrees. Using the machine’s built-in Bluetooth connectivity, you can access the Nautilus tracking app.
Pros
- Four user profiles
- Suitable for tall users due to the 22-inch stride length
- Additional features including speakers, media shelf, and water bottle holder
- Flywheel assures a smooth ride
Cons
- Basic consoles
#7. Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical Trainer with Comfortable 18″ Stride
Fitness Reality E5500XL is a budget-friendly elliptical trainer that is designed to suit the needs of tall men. It offers only an 18-inch stride length, thereby proving to be a recommended model only for those below 5’5”. The short stride length might not easy for taller users to feel comfortable pedaling on the equipment.
The comforting fact here is that the machine has a 35-pound flywheel, which is extremely solid and stable, promising an extremely smooth exercise experience.
The maximum user weight of 270 pounds shows without a doubt that the elliptical is indeed a piece of sturdy equipment that has a solid frame.
This 18 inches stride elliptical has 24 levels of smooth magnetic tension resistance, allowing you to adjust the workout intensity per your fitness level.
The company has ensured that the tubular steel construction and wide-based frame satisfy any level of intense exercising without any wobbling.
Barring the fact that the stride length is the only disadvantage, the Fitness Reality E5500XL is the best pocket-friendly equipment that offers a classic level of functionality and an absolutely stunning and extremely stable frame.
Pros
- Excellent budget-friendly model
- 10 different resistant levels
- 35-pound flywheel
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for people over 5’5”
FAQs
How High Should Your Ceiling Be for an Elliptical?
Every elliptical brand has its unique step-up height, which determines the additional clearing space required to avoid any head collisions.
Generally, though, it is suggested that you will need an additional 12 inches (approximately) of clearance space above the head of the tallest user in your home. Then the tallest user in your home can exercise at any preferred pace without worrying about injuries. If the ceiling height is your concern, a low-profile elliptical might be your preference.
Is Sole or Nordictrack Elliptical Better?
While both types of ellipticals are well-designed and ergonomically constructed, Sole ellipticals focus more on ergonomics and don’t compromise on high-grade construction.
Nordictrack ellipticals, on the other hand, focus more on providing more options in terms of entertainment, adjustable strides, and online tracking options. This brand has grabbed a couple of “Best Buy” awards too.
How Much Space Do You Need for an Elliptical?
If you want to work out comfortably, you need a space that measures at least 4 feet wide by 8 feet in length.
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