A full-body workout machine like the elliptical can help you a lot if you exercise at least 30 minutes each day.
Elliptical machine is an ideal choice for short people instead of weightlifting to avoid enormous pressure on legs. Below is the list of six best ellipticals for short person:
Here are the best ellipticals for short person you can buy in 2025:
- Best Overall: Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine
- Best Under-Desk Elliptical: Cubii Jr. - Seated Under-Desk Elliptical
- Best For Heavier People: Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
- Best For Full-Body Workout: Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical
- Ultra-Quiet: SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical
- Best For Experienced Gymers: ProForm 150I Elliptical
| Top 6 Best Ellipticals For Short Person | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine | Read Our Review |
Best Under-Desk Elliptical | Cubii Jr. - Seated Under-Desk Elliptical | Read Our Review |
Best For Heavier People | Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine | Read Our Review |
Best For Full-Body Workout | Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical | Read Our Review |
Ultra-Quiet | SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical | Read Our Review |
Best For Experienced Gymers | ProForm 150I Elliptical | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine
- Compact and sturdy design – with firm machine frame and stable front flywheel
- Effective workout programs – seven pre-programming workout plans, eight levels of resistance and download/transfer features
- Ergonomic handlebars for comfortable holding experience
- Support maximum weight up to 300 pounds
- Low inclining level
The Schwinn machine has a sturdy and solid design with a classic matte black cover. The unit features a firm and durable frame and a high-inertia flywheel. With 17.5-inch strides and ergonomic-fixed handlebars, even short people will feel comfortable with their first experience.
What we love most about the Schwinn machine are advanced workout programs and tracking. The system offers seven workout programs and eight levels of resistance. The computer allows you to download and track your daily performance. It can also transfer data of time, distance, and calories to the Schwinn ConnectTM or MyFitness Pal app.
The biggest drawback of the machine is incline adjustments. The Schwinn Elliptical comes with a maximum inclining level of 10 degrees only, while the other machines feature 20 degrees. And the inclining feature is manual, you have to adjust yourself during the workout.
| Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 17.5 inches |
Incline | 10 degrees |
Resistance Levels | 8 levels |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 300 pounds |
Highlight Features | Fully-loaded LCD console Heart-rate monitors 7 versatile workout programs High-inertia perimeter flywheel |
Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine is the best elliptical for short person in this list. The machine offers all basic but useful features for the best workout experience.
Best Under-Desk Elliptical: Cubii Jr. - Seated Under-Desk Elliptical
- Compact and ergonomic design – small size with minimal details
- Silent mode – whisper sound only while operating
- Easy to assemble – contains only four screws
- Suitable for older adults - low impact on body joints
- Heavyweight
- Low calorie burning
- The LCD is hard to see
Doing cardio means no sitting and Cubii Jr. Under-desk Elliptical conquers this opinion. The under-desk elliptical is perfect for officers and desk-job workers. The machine not only burns calories effectively but also has positive impacts on blood circulation and joint pains.
The Cubii Jr. machine is suitable for all types of customers from children to adults, and of course, short people. It has a compact and ergonomic design that can fit under most types of desks and working tables.
The machine gives silent vibration during operation, which is perfect if you work in a shared office. It is also effortless to assemble, only four screws.
| Cubii Jr. - Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 17.6 inches |
Incline | No |
Resistance Levels | 8 levels |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 250 pounds |
Highlight Features | Whisper-quite design Sleek structure Built-in handle |
With eight resistance levels and joint-impact minimal, the unit would be an excellent gift for older people who suffer from back pain.
Best For Heavier People: Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
- Sturdy and durable design – supports for a maximum weight of 375 pounds
- Ten professional training programs with detailed classification for user’s purposes
- Comprehensive LCD (7.5 inches) with clear data
- Compatible with smartphone and tablet through apps
- 20 settings for inclining function
- Cushioned, adjustable and wide pedals – avoid injuries for heavy people
- Expensive
- Non-adjustable strides
Sole Fitness E35 model offers ten training programs with rigorous classifications. In detail, five programs are basic elliptical trainings; two programs are for heart rate stabilization; and other three programs are self-designed.
A 7.7-inch LCD shows all the body and movement data clearly. The machine can also synchronize to your smartphone or tablet via Sole Fitness, FitBit, MapMyRun, or Apple Health apps.
The most outstanding benefit of this Sole Fitness machine is its 20 options of power incline. You can reach your limitation in training and get fast weight loss by this feature.
For heavy people, the E35 model offers adjustable and extra-wide pedals. The cushioned pedals create the most comfortable experiment, and their inward slope reduces knee injuries effectively.
| Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 20 to 22 inches |
Incline | Power incline up to 30 degrees |
Resistance Levels | 20 levels |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 375 pounds |
Highlight Features | Power adjustable stride 7.7-inch LCD console Multiple training programs Include chest strap |
With significant price and state-of-the-art design, the Sole Fitness elliptical machine can work effectively through the years. It is the best choice if you are a heavyweight and do need a strict and professional training program.
Best For Full-Body Workout: Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical
- Provides full-body workout – with adjustable handlebars for zero-impact exercises
- Magnetic resistance – adjusted for variable workout programs
- Comfortable cushioned padding seat
- Adjustable seat – based on user’s heights
- Supports up to 300 pounds
- Only basic workout programs
Teeter FreeStep product includes an adjustable seat, which is suitable for all ages and heights. If you are short, you could still have an optimal workout experience with this machine.
The unique selling point of the Teeter FreeStep machine is its adjustable handlebars. The full-length adjustable handlebars allow the users to exercise upper body parts (arms and shoulders) effectively.
Goes along with the specialized handlebars, is a magnetic resistance. It is located next to the cushioned seat, so you can reach and adjust conveniently. Primarily, there is no specific level of resistance. The machine is flexible enough to program workout plans for particular purposes.
| Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 13 inches |
Incline | No |
Resistance Levels | Unlimited |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 300 pounds |
Highlight Features | Patented stride technology Whisper quiet Zero-impact workout Fast calorie-burning |
Teeter FreeStep Elliptical is one of the most sought-after fitness machines on the market. The device provides a full-body workout for the upper and lower body with low impact on body joints.
Ultra-Quiet: SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical
- Operates smoothly with no vibrant sound
- Compact size for small space – only 24-inch wide and 47-inch long
- Adjustable handlebars for short people
- Up to 12 advanced training programs
- Lousy connection for Bluetooth and app features
SNODE E20i elliptical machine features a belt-drive, magnetic resistance operation, and high-inertia flywheel to produce ultimate performance with the low noise level.
The machine is also compact and sturdy, with only 24-inch wide and 47-inch long, which is ideal for limited space. It offers a long 13.78-inch stride with a non-flip footplate for safety.
The handlebar is adjustable from 53 inches to 73 inches to suitable for people of all heights. The machine comes with 16 resistance levels and 12 training programs to challenge your workout training every day.
However, some customers complain that the machine shuts down when connecting to the apps or Bluetooth immediately. We hope that the technical team of SNODE could fix this problem as soon as possible.
| SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 13.78 inches |
Incline | No |
Resistance Levels | 16 levels |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 265 pounds |
Highlight Features | Smooth and quiet operation Variable intense control Large non-slip pedals Magnetic control system Apps and Bluetooth synchronization |
SNODE E20i model is not a wrong choice for the best elliptical for short person. For smooth operation and ultra-quiet sound, SNODE E20i elliptical machine is an indispensable product.
Best For Experienced Gymers: ProForm 150I Elliptical
- Track your training progress and share your results to other users easily via WiFi connections
- Gives realistic experience – create a mimic platform of Google Maps to show how far you have gone in real life
- Small and compact design – fits the most limited space with a foldable feature
- Compete against other users to have better results every day
- Membership purchasing requirement
- Hard to assemble with novices
With ProForm 150I elliptical machine, you can surely achieve a healthy lifestyle and weight loss goals. The machine has a sleek and space-saving design. Its foldable feature makes the unit take less space in your living area.
To access the best training program, you must have a membership. Once purchasing the membership, you can have the most beneficial features from the ProForm elliptical.
For the most realistic experience, the machine re-contextualize your cardio as a running map.
You can also connect to other ProForm users via the Internet to set your workout results. It creates higher competition between the users, especially if you are a gym rat, to achieve better goals.
| ProForm 150I Elliptical Specifications | |
|---|---|
Stride Length | 17 inches |
Incline | No |
Resistance Levels | 12 levels |
Maximum User Weight Limit | Up to 250 pounds |
Highlight Features | iPod compatible feature Oversized pedals Compatible with 12 workout apps |
With outstanding features of the training program, the machine is reliable for all experienced gymers.
How To Choose The Best Ellipticals For Short Person?
Body Condition
- To buy an elliptical in particular and an exercise machine in general, you need to determine the purpose and motivation. Consult some experts, research the Internet, and consult sellers to determine what you want and how your health is.
- For a short person, you should purchase the machine with adjustable handlebars and extendable pedals. If your goal is to lose weight and fat level, then the device for you will be a bit different when your goal is just to stay healthy.
Reasonable Price
- The price of an elliptical machine is quite high. So, you need to consider your financial status, set a limitation budget, and find out about the machine that is right for you. You can also refer to the salesperson to have an overview of the price range.
Training Features
- Many people just need a machine to exercise, but some people want more functions such as abdominal exercises, waist rotation, music playing, heart rate measurement, etc. However, the multifunction devices will be more expensive. Of course, its variety and efficiency will be wider, it will provide more features and effectiveness.
Safety Feature
- It is especially important in households with children. There are two main safety features available on the elliptical machine: safety keys and emergency shut-down buttons.
- Most electric ellipticals have a safety function, but you should also ask the salesperson before you buy it. Who knows, such small details will help you get the right advice.
Which Brands Make The Best Ellipticals For Short Person?
Schwinn
- Schwinn is found in 1895 at Chicago, the U.S. From our points of view, Schwinn’s elliptical machine sets a high standard for other brands in the sports equipment industry. Not only with the elliptical machine, but every product that you purchase from Schwinn is also high-quality ensured.
Sole Fitness
- Numerous gyms from walks of life trust sole Fitness. The manufacturer and development team of Sole Fitness always apply the most modern technology to their products. Moreover, all their products must go through rigorous tests and examinations before coming to retail stores.
Cubii Jr.
- Unlike the two brands above, Cubii Jr. focuses on producing the most user-friendly elliptical machine for its customers. Their creativity is always beyond the limit to create the weirdest but most effective training machine.
FAQs
Is an elliptical good for knees?
For people with knee pain, they cannot perform all cardio exercises. They must avoid practices where both feet have to leave the ground, such as running or jumping.
Because when the body is up and two feet off the ground, the landing will put considerable pressure on the knee joint. Therefore, people with knee pain should only practice walking or exercising on an elliptical machine.
Does the elliptical tone your buttocks?
The movement on the elliptical machine will increase the amplitude of the legs. Also, thighs and buttocks when running on the elliptical machine will be more active and well-shaped.
Which type of elliptical is best?
Among three types of an elliptical machine, front-drive elliptical machine is the most popular. The design of this type creates more range of motion and movement, which form effective results in training.
What if there are multiple users at home?
Hence, choosing an elliptical machine with adjustable functions is a re-prerequisite. It will meet with all family members’ demands and create a comfortable experience.
What stride length is best for elliptical?
The average foot size of a healthy person is 5.3 feet. So the best stride length, in this case, is from 16 to 18 inches.
Conclusion
Hope that our list of best ellipticals for short person will be of some help to you. Each product is designed for different needs, so it’s best that you can determine what features you want most from a machine before making the purchase. Have fun shopping!
