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Folding Elliptical Trainers - Collapsable Foldable Cross Trainer Machines

Updated on February 19, 2012

Save Space With A Fold Up Elliptical Machine

For many of us, the dream of having our own home gym is often thwarted by a lack of room in our homes. We'd love to dedicate a room of our own to fitness equipment but it often isn't practical and even when you do have the space for one machine, the chances are there isn't going to be space for another. Enter such things as folding elliptical trainers to solve this problem.

In recognition of this dilemma home fitness enthusiasts often face, manufacturers of home gym equipment started introducing more compact machines, which are more portable and more recently with the ability to fold up and be put away when not in use. Folding treadmills are very popular these days and are around the same level of build quality as the non-foldable versions and whilst elliptical trainer manufacturers have been a little slower to catch up they're also starting to produce some foldable elliptical trainers ideal for the home user.

That's great news for the consumer, who now may not have to make the choice between exercise machines based solely on space limitations, but will have the opportunity to incorporate a wide range of fitness machines into a much more limited space.

Folding Elliptical Trainer Buyer's Guide

When buying one of these there are a number of considerations to take into account to ensure you get the right one for your needs. Elliptical machines come in a variety of styles, sizes, price ranges, weight capacities etc. which can be a little confusing at first and can lead to poor purchasing decisions if not fully understood. A top rated collapsible elliptical trainer machine might be awesome to the reviewer but if you're too heavy for it, have a longer stride length or were expecting some other feature that this particular model doesn't offer then 5 star rated or not, it's not going to please you.

Some of the important things to look out for when buying a fold up elliptical trainer are outlined below to aid you in your purchasing decision. Throughout the article are some buying suggestions also.

Budget Compact Elliptical Trainer

Confidence Fitness Super Compact Elliptical Trainer
Confidence Fitness Super Compact Elliptical Trainer
The Confidence Fitness Space Saving Elliptical Trainer is the ideal elliptical machine for anyone lacking in space and working with a low budget. With a footprint of a mere 36x20 inches this actually takes up less space than an average armchair when not in use! Despite the small size, this small elliptical cross trainer features adjustable magnetic braking and an onboard computer capable of measuring speed, time , pulse, distance and calories as well as featuring an odometer. Do not expect commercial gym quality in such a compact machine but do enjoy the space saving benefits at a budget price range.
 

Pros and Cons of Foldable Elliptical Trainers

Pros

The general advantage of not having to give up permanent house space to a large bulky piece of exercise equipment is simply a must have for many of us, particularly if you live in an apartment or otherwise have limited space to give away. Folding exercise equipment also gives you the opportunity to fit more gym equipment into your home, making the most out of the room you do have an dmight just let you give up that gym membership saving both time and money.

Cons

The main disadvantage of these is that they are a little more expensive on a like for like basis so you may end up paying more for an elliptical cross trainer with folding technology than if you were to opt for a normal home elliptical machine with the same feature set. Also, some users have complained that cheap folding ellipticals do not feel as sturdy or stable as fixed frame models.

Other Space Saving Alternatives To Folding Elliptical Trainers

If a folding model hasn't caught your eye then there are some other similar styles of cardio machines which might be more appealing and also save space.

Mini elliptical trainers like the range of Stamina InMotion machines (product details below) are about as small and compact as you'll find anywhere, great for slipping under a desk and using while you work or as a standalone exercise machine.

Another alternative are some of the compact ellipticals offered by Confidence Fitness, one of which is featured up the page, which has a tiny footprint smaller than a typical armchair.

Or you can look at a 2-in-1 elliptical trainer exercise bike which combines the features of a fitness cycle with those of a cross trainer in one fitness machine - the ultimate space saving design...also featured further down the page.

Mini Elliptical Machines - Stamina InMotion

Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider - Seated Elliptical with Smart Workout App - Foot Pedal Exerciser for Home Workout - Up to 250 lbs Weight Capacity - Silver
Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider - Seated Elliptical with Smart Workout App - Foot Pedal Exerciser for Home Workout - Up to 250 lbs Weight Capacity - Silver
Really, really short on space? This mini elliptical might not offer the total body workout offered by it's big brothers but it still packs a workout puch with the benefit of being totally portable and very versatile. The Stamina 55-1610 InMotion E1000 Elliptical Trainer is about as small as you'll find, easy to stow away when not in use or even just keep under your desk so you can work out while you work. Whilst not really a serious alternative to the kind of commercial cross trainer found in a gym, this lightweight portable elliptical trainer is an excellent cheap alternative for a quick workout when that's all you've got time for. The Stamina InMotion elliptical machine features non slip pedals, manual adjustable resistance and a built in electronic monitor computer which tracks strides, calories and time.
 

Combination Elliptical Bike Exercise Machines

If a folding cross trainer exerciser doesn't appeal, or if you're looking at buying several different types of exercise machine, then you might like to look instead at saving room by checking out some of the elliptical bike combo machines out there. These are not stowable ellipticals at all, but save space by combining two exercise machines into one, saving you money and space by putting two machines in one footprint. This might save space better than a folding machine and better still, you do not have to go through the moderate hassle of folding and unfolding the machine when you are not using it.

Elliptical Trainer Combo 2-in-1 Elliptical Bike

Body Champ BRM3600 Cardio Dual Trainer
Body Champ BRM3600 Cardio Dual Trainer
The Body Champ BRM3600 Cardio Dual Trainer is an elliptical trainer and exercise bike combined into one excellent exercise machine. The BRM3600 Cardio Dual Trainer's 2-in-1 bike and elliptical machine allows you to save space as there's no need to purchase both an exercise cycle and a cross-trainer but instead you get the benefits of both in a single machine.
 

Used and Refurbished Folding Ellipticals

To get a big price reduction on a foldable elliptical trainer and enjoy all the benefits of a storable elliptical trainer machine without paying a fortune it is often a great idea to shop online and check out some of the discount fitness products out there at sites like Amazon who often offer great deals of 50% off or better on the retail price of exercise equipment. Another alternative is to check out the used elliptical trainer market at sites like ebay and craigslist where you can often find even better deals if you are careful.

By 'careful', I mean there are obviously certain things to look out for to ensure you are buying a gently used collapsible elliptical trainer from someone who hardly used it rather than something which has been pounded on every day by the owner who now wants rid of it now it has started to squeak and rattle!

The best way to find a good quality second hand folding elliptical trainer for less online, is to look for detailed listings which describe the wear and tear, or lack of it, in detail or to simply ask the seller questions before making any kind of purchasing decision. Ebay sellers are used to responding to questions from the people thinking of buying their auctions and you can usually get a straight answer if you ask a straight question as they don't want returns or poor feedback tarnishing their records.

Refurbished, secondhand and ex-shop floor models can often be found at sports and fitness retailers online mixed in with their regular shop items. Look for remanufactured folding cross trainers to potentially save hundreds of dollars and still get a limited warrantee for a little extra peace of mind in the bargain.

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