Cardio trainers are usually pretty large machines. How large are elliptical trainers and how much space do you need to actually use them? I’ve put the dimensions of a lot of different models together and here are the results.
The average elliptical machine has a footprint of 68.1” x 28.5” and an average height of 65.5”. While there are big differences in length, the majority of elliptical trainers are between 55” and 80” long. The differences in width aren’t nearly as big with the majority of trainers being between 25” and 32” wide.
For details on dimensions of all the different models and what those dimensions mean for you, keep reading down below.
Elliptical trainer dimensions
Here is a list of elliptical trainers with many popular models from different brands. These are the dimensions listed by the manufacturer.
| Brand | Model | Length | Width | Height | Stride length | Step up height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifefitness | E1 | 82 | 30 | 59 | 20 | 6.5 |
| E3 | 82 | 34 | 61 | 20 | 6 | |
| E5 | 84 | 34 | 66 | 18-24 | 10 | |
| Body Solid | BFCT1 | 45 | 26 | 66 | ? | ? |
| BFE2 | 48 | 30 | 66 | |||
| E300 | 50 | 31 | 66 | 21 | 8 | |
| E400 | 50 | 31 | 66 | 17-21 | 8 | |
| E5000 | 68 | 31 | 69 | 21 | ||
| BodyCraft | ECT400G | 71 | 28.5 | 66 | 23 | 12 |
| ECT500G | 71 | 28.5 | 68 | 23 | 12 | |
| ECT800G | 68 | 26 | 63.5 | 20.5 | 7.5 | |
| Bowflex | Max Total | 49.2 | 30.5 | 65.1 | ||
| Max M8 | 47.9 | 30.8 | 65.2 | |||
| Max M6 | 46 | 26 | 64.2 | |||
| Horizon Fitness | EX-59 | 68 | 25 | 64 | 18 | 10 |
| 7.0 AE | 76 | 24 | 65.5 | 20 | 10 | |
| Peak Trainer | 47 | 28 | 66 | 12 vertical | 10 | |
| Sole | E25 | 70 | 24 | 71 | 20 | 14 |
| E35 | 82 | 31 | 71 | 20 | 14 | |
| E95 | 82 | 31 | 71 | 20 | 14 | |
| E55 | 71 | 27 | 71 | 20 | 14 | |
| E95S | 84 | 32 | 71 | 20 | 14 | |
| E98 | 82 | 31 | 71 | 20 | 14 | |
| Nautilus | E616 | 71.5 | 26.7 | 63.2 | 20 | |
| E618 | 73 | 26.97 | 66.97 | 22 | ||
| Octane Fitness | Q35 | 76 | 26 | 61.75 | 20.5 | 4 |
| Q37 | 76.5 | 34 | 61.75 | 20.5 | 4 | |
| Q47 | 84.5 | 37.5 | 63 | 18-26 | 5 | |
| XT-ONE | 92 | 33 | 64.75 | 20-28 | 5 | |
| Sunny Health | SF-E3957 | 65 | 26 | 68 | 16 | |
| SF-E3981 | 69.3 | 28.7 | 64.8 | 16 | ||
| SF-E1405 | 33 | 25.6 | 60.3 | 12 | ||
| SF-E3803 | 46 | 25 | 61 | 11 | ||
| SF-E3804 | 43 | 24 | 62.5 | |||
| SF-E3875 | 62 | 26 | 70 | 19.5 | ||
| SF-E3912 | 55 | 23 | 64.5 | 15.5 | ||
| Precor | EFX200 | 75 | 29 | 65 | 18-21 | |
| EFX400 | 84 | 31 | 67 | 21-24 | ||
| EFX600 | 80 | 30 | 67 | 21-24 | ||
| EFX700 | 80 | 28 | 67 | 22.5 | ||
| EFX800 | 80 | 28 | 67 | 21-25 | ||
| Freemotion | e10.9b | 85 | 27 | 63 | 20 | 9.5 |
| e9.8b | 83.5 | 24.6 | 62.7 | 20 | 9.5 | |
| Schwinn | 470 Elliptical | 70.1 | 28.2 | 63.2 | 20 | |
| 430 Elliptical | 70.1 | 28.2 | 63.2 | 20 | ||
| 411 Elliptical | 53.8 | 24 | 62.5 | 18 | ||
| 68.1 | 28.5 | 65.5 |
There are pretty big differences between the sizes of the different models but here is the average;
The average size of an elliptical trainer is 68.1 (l) x 28.5” (w) x 65.5” (h).
The length is the dimension that differ the most between the different models. This is because where design and architecture decisions have the biggest impact.
Suggested post: 15 Awesome benefits of using elliptical trainers.
Let’s take a more in depth look at the different dimensions.
Length
The average length of an elliptical trainer is 68.1” or 173 cm.
Lengths range from 33” to 92”. The majority of models is between 55″ and 80″ although there are plenty of exceptions to this.
The shorter models tend to be set up a bit differently than the longer ones. The shorter models usually have more vertical movement than forwards and backwards. This makes the machine more compact but also changes the movement. The movement is more like climbing stairs than running. If that’s good for you is personal preference.
Another way manufacturers make the machines shorter is by using a small flywheel and short stride length. That’s especially the case on entry level trainers. These things aren’t really personal preference a small flywheel makes the ride less smooth and a short stride length makes the movement feel unnatural.
Suggested post: How long should elliptical stride length be for you?
Width
The average width of an elliptical trainer is 28.5”/72.4 cm.
Widths range from 24” to 37.5”. The range isn’t nearly as big as with the length but there are still pretty big differences. Most machines are between 25″ and 32″. That means that the total footprint of an elliptical trainer is generally quite a bit smaller than that of a treadmill.
Suggested post: Which muscles does an elliptical trainer work?
Height
The average height of an elliptical trainer is 65.5” with heights ranging from 59” to 71”.
The total height of an elliptical trainer isn’t the most important dimension. 99% of people will be taller than the total height of the machine anyways.
The ceiling height you put the trainer under is very important. However, that’s related to the step up height and your personal height and not so much the total height of the trainer.
You can read more about the necessary ceiling height below.
How much space do you need for an elliptical trainer?
The dimensions of the machine are how much space you need to actually place it in your gym. That isn’t necessarily the amount of space you need to actually use it.
You’ll need some space around the trainer to be able to use it. Let’s look at the different dimension and what you have to think about when choosing your elliptical and where to place it.
Length
Different machines work in different ways. How it works does make a difference in how much space you still need in front or behind the trainer.
Sometimes the levers and other parts of the elliptical swing outside of the standing length of the machine. This doesn’t happen on all models but it does on some. On the machines where this happens, it’s usually 3 inches at most. That means you’ll need about 4 inches more length to make sure you don’t hit the wall.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you have to get onto the elliptical somehow. Most elliptical trainers are designed to be mounted from the rear. If there is a wall exactly where the machine ends, it’ll be quite difficult to step onto the machine. For that reason it’s good to keep at least a foot of free space behind the elliptical if you’re able bodied. If you’re not as mobile as a human could be, having a bit more than one foot is a good idea.
Width
With the width, it’s a bit easier. 99% of the elliptical trainers only more forwards and backwards and don’t have lateral motion. Octane fitness is an exception, check them out if you’re interested.
That means you don’t need a whole lot of extra space next to your elliptical. What you need is;
- Enough space to get on the machine if you want to step on from the side.
- Enough width to comfortably stand on the machine without rubbing your shoulders or other body parts on the wall.
This means that in most cases you just need a few inches on both sides to comfortably use your trainer. Most trainers are designed to be stepped on from the rear but if you want to get on from the side you need a bit more space on one side. About a foot of width is the minimum to have enough room to step on in that case.
Height
Height is an important dimension many people tend to forget when buying any gym equipment for their home gym.
As with all dimensions, if your gym is big enough, you might never think about it. But if it isn’t big enough you might not be able to actually use the machine. So that’s why it’s pretty important to think about.
A safe estimation is to have 2 feet of headroom on top of your personal height. So if you’re 6’ tall, your ceiling should be 8’ tall to safely use any elliptical trainer. That 8’ should be from the floor, so if you’re using thick gym flooring, take that into consideration.
However, that two feet is a safe general estimation. That will allow you to use the tallest machines. There are quite a few elliptical trainers which have an easy to use, low step up height. The lower the step up height the lower your ceiling has to be to be able to stand under it on the trainer.
Suggested post: How much weight can an elliptical machine handle?
If you want to know how much headroom you need exactly, do the following;
- Find out the step up height of your trainer.
- Add your height to the step up height.
- Add another 5” to 10” to that.
So if you have a machine with a step up height of 8” and you’re 6’ tall that looks like this;
8” + 72” + 10”= 90” or 7.5’
That means that a 6’ tall person combined with an elliptical machine that has a step up height of 8” can safely use this under a ceiling that’s 7.5’ high.
Make sure there is nothing mounted on the ceiling above your trainer that actually lowers that height like a lamp.
Suggested post: The best cardio machines for under low ceilings.
Related questions
Is a large elliptical trainer better? Elliptical trainers that are bigger in size usually have stronger frames, bigger flywheels and longer stride lengths. That means a smoother and more natural feeling trainer that won’t limit you in any way.
Does elliptical flywheel size matter? A bigger flywheel in an elliptical trainer will do two things; Have more weight and allow for a longer stride length. Both of those are important for a smooth ride and natural feeling stride. A heavier flywheel will want to keep moving for longer which smooths out the movement. If you’re taller, you need a longer stride length to not feel cut short.
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