Ellipticals can often be expensive, heavy and large, especially if you are thinking of getting one for your home. What better way to save both space and money, than to get a foldable ellipticals? But what are the best folding ellipticals for fitness training?
If you are looking for a compact, folding elliptical to store in the corner of a room, the Proform SmartStrider 895 CSE is the best option for you. The SmartStrider is sturdy and heavy with a range of 24 different resistance levels for you to use as you please. Plus, it can easily be folded up to save space.
Having said that, I understand that your workout routine is very personal and everyone has a different set of requirements for their workout machine. It is best therefore to do your research and choose one that works for you. So, let’s take a look at the different options you have.
Before we dive right into the reviews, check out this comparison table between my top choices for folding ellipticals:
Elliptical Model | Resistance Levels | Incline (Degrees) | Dimensions (Inches) | Price |
Proform SmartStrider 895 CSE | 24 | 0-10 | 31” x 18” x 78 “ | Check Price On Amazon |
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 | None | None | 15” x 19” x 61.5 | Check Price On Amazon |
NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i | 22 | 0-10 | 80” x 32” x 57” | Check Price On Amazon |
Gazelle Freestyle | None | None | 44” x 33.5” x 53.5” | Check Price On Amazon |
Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 | 20 | None | 69” x 28 x 69” | Check Price on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Folding Ellipticals
Most commercial ellipticals or the ones that you might find at your local gym are not usually foldable. A good quality elliptical that is also space-conserving and foldable can be a little difficult to find. But there are a few good ones out there.
Unlike their treadmill counterparts, foldable ellipticals usually come much cheaper than non-foldable ones. Keep in mind you might not get the exact same results as you would in a state-of-the-art large scale elliptical, but for most people who work out at home, the trade is more than worth it.
So, without further ado, here are the top 5 folding ellipticals in no particular order. With the help of this article, you can make an informed decision and choose the one that would work best for you.
1. Proform SmartStrider 895 CSE
With an 18-pound flywheel and 24 levels of resistance the Proform SmartStrider 895 CSE is a great option for people who do not like monotonous workout routines. The flywheel is inertia enhanced, making your flow smooth and steady. And the magnetic resistance systems make sure that there is very little noise while you run on this elliptical.
You can even change the incline up to 10 degrees for more of a hiking feel, or get it down to get your morning walk in. The SmartStrider is the King of variety with a 7-inch touchscreen built with 32 different workout apps. It also comes with wireless straps for your chests, so you can keep track of your vitals while you exercise.
The SmartStrider is also compatible with iFit for a more interactive training experience. You can follow along world famous trainers and join different groups and plans to get yourself more into it.
This elliptical also comes with a leveling foot that can be adjusted according to your height and your apartment’s height as well. This is a great option for you if you are not sure what you want, and don’t want to make any specific commitments to one kind of routine. You can try out many different kinds of routine and find one that works for you with this elliptical.
Specifications
- Stride Length: 18 inches
- Resistance Levels: 24
- System of Tension: Magnetic
- Digital Monitor: 7-inch smart HD touchscreen
- Dimensions(unfolded): (Length of 31, Width of 18, and Height of 78) inches
- User Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
Features
Vertical Compact Design: The Proform SmartStrider has a great vertical fold design that when folded lets you store it against the wall or in a corner to save space. It opens up to look like regular ellipticals, and you’re not giving up much on quality to save space.
iFit Compatible: The iFit program makes your whole workout experience much more fun. You get to train with professional trainers and do interactive exercises, all from the comfort of your own home. Provides variety and guidance with 16,000+ workout routines that you can follow along.
Built-in Sound-System: The SmartStrider comes with its very own in-built sound system so you can just plug in your workout playlist and blast out your favorite music. This makes working out much more interesting and you can have a lot more fun and enjoy the experience.
Pros
- Incline and resistance controls
- Auxiliary input
- Adjustable fans
- Smooth rotation
- Less noise
Cons
- No Bluetooth
- Non-adjustable stride length
- Customer service is not great
2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 is an amazing lightweight elliptical that is designed in a very compact way, and folds up to be even smaller. Titled as an Air Walk Trainer, the SF-E902 lives up to its name and makes you feel like you are walking on air. Unlike your average heavy-grade elliptical, this light and thin design is perfect for an everyday home workout.
With any foldable elliptical you will be giving something up, and with this one it’s the resistance. This machine provides no resistance at all, but instead can give you a full body work out with all the benefits of walking, running, dancing or even aerobic dancing.
Truth be told, this might not be the one for you if you are looking for a more intense workout session. But the SF-E902 is perfect for most people who just want to get in a bit of exercise regularly and aren’t thinking of intense training or athletic workout sessions. Even elders or young people can exercise without too much strain on their knees or legs.
You can also compensate for the lack of resistance, if you wish to, by adding bungee cords on the support bars. This gives you the feel of an added resistance, without needing to empty your wallets or filling up your space for a more intense elliptical. Perfect for small homes or even dorm rooms, the SF-E902 is the minimalist’s elliptical.
Specifications
- Stride Length: 30 inches
- Resistance Levels: None
- System of Tension: None
- Digital Monitor: Measure of time, calories, count and scan
- Dimensions: (Length of 15, Width of 19 and Height of 61.5) inches
- User Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
Features
Aerobic Structure: The SF-E902 provides an aerobic workout, and works on your entire body instead of just focusing on the legs. The light and simplistic design allows for a low-strain, but effective full body workout; improving strength and stability.
Non-Slip Pedals: The non-slip pedals make it easier for you to step on and get up to a run, without slipping or falling. The grip is strong on both the pedals and also the handle bars, making it safe and easy to hold on to.
Wide Stride Length: With a maximum stride length of about 45 inches with a 220 pounds weight limit, the SF-E902 provides a wider stride than most of its counterparts. The wide stride makes up for the lack of resistance in this machine, allowing you to go at your own pace, while maintaining a steady motion.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Suitable for everyone
- Compact and foldable
- Comes assembled
- Perfect for a light-moderate workout
Cons
3. NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i
If you are looking for an elliptical with a bit more resistance and varying levels of impact, the NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i is for you. This one looks more like the traditional ellipticals and is heavy and sturdy. Once unfolded, it takes up a lot of space, and can be used like any other gym equipment. The quality is similar to that of the commercial grade ellipticals.
Though slightly more expensive, this one gives a bang for the buck. The SE7i comes with a flywheel that weighs 18 pounds and is bound to give you a great flow to your workouts.
It also comes with a 5-inch display and a tablet holder that is built into the machine. So, you can catch up with your favorite shows or listen to music while you’re on it. If you subscribe to the iFit membership you can also connect your machine via Bluetooth to the iFit app which will allow you to train with experts online.
The different range of resistance levels also makes the SE7i perfect for different kinds of users. You can change the resistance level and also the incline (up to 10 %) to get your desired workout intensity.
With a high enough resistance level and incline you can also get in a great intense HIIT training session with the SE7i. This one is great for people who are looking for a more gym-like experience from their homes.
Specifications
- Stride Length: Adjustable
- Resistance Levels: 22
- System of Tension: Magnetic
- Digital Monitor: A backlit display of 5 inches.
- Dimensions(unfolded): (Length of 80, Width of 32 and Height of 67) inches
- User Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
Features
Commercial Quality Design: The SE7i is designed to look more like your gym ellipticals, with a commercial-grade design and quality. This machine is heavy and packs more punch, while still being easy to store and foldable.
Bluetooth Enabled: If you get an iFit membership, you can connect your device to the machine via Bluetooth and can take personal trained led sessions from the comfort of your own home. The iFit membership comes with many different features but is compatible with the SE7i. You can also connect your tablet to the machine via Bluetooth.
Silent Magnetic Resistance: The resistance system is magnetic, and hence there aren’t any creaks or noises while you exercise. The magnetic resistance mechanism makes a smooth, quiet workout experience and won’t disturb your neighbors.
Pros
- Commercial grade quality
- 22 resistance levels for more intense sessions
- Programmed workout sessions
- Very little to no noise
- Space for tablet or phone to use while working out
- Cooling fan
- Varying levels of incline
- Can follow along with personal trainers with membership
Cons
- Might feel pressured to get iFit membership
- Certain features cannot be used without membership
- Heavy and not portable
- Takes up more space
4. Gazelle Freestyle
The Gazelle series ellipticals like their name are smooth and graceful. These are perfect for beginners and people who are looking for light exercise. It is very versatile and you can incorporate different routines using this one machine. It does not look like your typical elliptical but gives you the benefits of one.
Since there is no set stride length, you can work and focus on different areas of your body and use the Gazelle to tone muscles as well. While the no resistance feature might not appeal to everyone, this factor makes it easier on your knees. If you have weak knees or an injury, the Gazelle is the perfect option for a low-impact routine designed to cater to your needs.
This is a great affordable option for people looking for an easy workout routine, without investing in a gym membership or expensive gym equipment. You can even follow through with the DVDs that come with this machine, and it will be like having your very own personal trainer!
Specifications
- Stride Length: Adjustable
- Resistance Levels: None
- System of Tension: None
- Digital Monitor: Basic LCD screen with speed, distance, time and calorie burn count
- Dimensions(unfolded): (Length of 44, Width of 33.5 and Height of 53.5) inches
- User Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Features
Dual Action Split Suspension System: The Gazelle freestyle comes with a dual suspension system that makes it perfect for a wide range of motions without any sudden halts. The suspension system doesn’t put too much stress on your knees and makes it easy and smooth to work out.
Portable: It can be completely folded down to become flat and thus the Gazelle is the best option if you want to store it under the bed or take it with you in the trunk of your car. It’s light-weight design and foldable features makes it very easy to move around.
Comes with 2 Workout DVDs: Perhaps the reason why this model is so popular is because it is like having your own personal trainer. The Gazelle Freestyle comes with 2 DVDs, where Tony Little guides you through various different workout routines that you can get done on the Gazelle.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact
- Workout variation
- Less impact on knees
- Comes with a yearlong guarantee
- Perfect for weight loss
Cons
- No resistance
- Needs to be assembled
- Can be a little noisy
5. Horizon Fitness Evolve 5
If you want great value for your product while also being space-conserving and foldable, the Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 is the choice for you! This one is very heavy and provides industrial performance while still being very compact and foldable; easy to store away in a corner of the room.
With the Evolve 5 you get a 23- pound flywheel for a smooth workflow, and 20 different resistance levels for you to choose your intensity. The 20-inch stride also makes you feel comfortable and doesn’t put too much strain on your knees.
It also comes with a tablet rack and iPod compatibility so you can entertain yourself while you work out. While it is slightly more on the expensive, it provides great value for your purchase. The Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 is amazing for beginners up and can be customized to work for intermediate level workout routines as well.
Specifications
- Stride Length: 20 inches
- Resistance Levels: 20
- System of Tension: Electronic
- Digital Monitor: 6.25 inches of Blue Backlit LCD with Heart rate, time, speed, distance calories, resistance, and RPM
- Dimensions(unfolded): (Length of 69, Width of 28, and Height of 69) inches
- User Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Features
37 Built-in Workouts: The Horizon Fitness Evolve 5 comes with 37 different workout routines programmed into the machine. You can pick and choose according to your desired intensity and pace.
Easy Assembly: This one is very easy to assemble in just 3 steps. Comes with an English manual that outlines the process in a way that is easy to understand.
Passport Virtual Active Compatible: These are virtual reality videos that you can buy to use with this machine. It will make you feel like you’re running through different scenic real-life paths as you are working out.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Great build
- Sturdy and stable, even when folded
- Quiet
- Super smooth
- Commercial grade quality
- iPod compatible
- Tablet rack
- Pulse monitoring
Cons
- No incline
- No cooling fans
My Top Recommendation
Each of the ellipticals on this list has something to offer and it can be hard to choose a single one. But having reviewed all of them, I think the Proform SmartStrider would be my top choice. Simply because it gives the experience of a commercial elliptical without taking up as much space.
This is not to say that this is the best one out there, because this one has its cons as well. But that’s the case with most items, you will find flaws with all of them eventually, but it all comes down to a matter of what you are willing to deal with.
If you don’t want the gym-like experience and it intimidates you, maybe the Gazelle Freestyle might be a better option for you. The price factor is also an issue. So, decide wisely.
Conclusion
It can be hard to get a folding elliptical that does not compromise on quality. But any of the ones from this list of best folding ellipticals for fitness training are guaranteed to not disappoint. Thanks for reading and best of luck with choosing the best folding elliptical for you. Until next time, farewell.
Leave a Reply