The Best Ellipticals For Heavy People in 2023

*HomeGymUnlimited helps consumers find the best home fitness products. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty elliptical, you’ve come to the right place. This article is our review of the best ellipticals for heavy people.

As a personal trainer, I believe people of all sizes and shapes deserve a quality workout experience. 

If your weight is over 300 lbs, look for a heavy duty elliptical. It is important that your cardio machine is stable and will not break down under heavy use.

So, I put together a list of ellipticals designed with heavy people in mind.  I’ll tell you why they’re worth investing in, and give you tips on selecting the right equipment.

Ellipticals and cross trainers are similar, the only difference is their handles. 

Ellipticals have stationary handles that you grip while your legs move, giving you a lower body workout. 

In contrast, cross trainers have moving handles that are in sync with the pedals, which provides an upper and lower body workout. However, modern elliptical trainers now have two pairs of handles; stationary and moveable. 

So I recommend buying a modern elliptical to have the best of both worlds.

Top Pick

Best Elliptical for Heavy People

Niceday Elliptical Machine

Weight capacity 400 lbs

16 Resistence levels

Stride length 15.5 inches

Both stationary and movable handles

Quiet Magnetic Drive System

Check on Amazon

In my opinion, the best elliptical for heavy people is the Niceday Elliptical Machine. It has a weight capacity of 400 lbs. It has 16 resistance levels, and the stride length is 15.5 inches. Plus, it has both stationary and moveable handles.

For more options, look at the ellipticals in the table below.

To know more about these ellipticals, keep reading below.

Table of Contents

• Best Elliptical for Heavy People
  • Niceday Elliptical Machine
• 7 Best Ellipticals For Heavy People
  • Niceday Elliptical Machine
  • SOLE Fitness E95 Indoor Elliptical
  • Afully Elliptical Machine
  • Nautilus E618 Elliptical
  • Pooboo Magnetic Elliptical Trainer
  • Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical
  • Marcy Pro Elliptical Cross Trainer NS-40501E
• What to look for in the best elliptical for heavy people?
  • Weight Capacity
  • Stride Length
  • Flywheel Weight
  • Resistance
  • Durability
• Which heavy-duty elliptical is best overall?
• FAQ about ellipticals for heavy people
• What to do next?

7 Best Ellipticals For Heavy People

Niceday Elliptical Machine

The Niceday elliptical has a weight capacity of 400 pounds. Just like the Sole Fitness E95, I will discuss next. 

Niceday elliptical can accommodate you if your height is between 4 feet and 9 inches to 6 feet and 9 inches, because the stride length is only 15.5 inches.  Where the average stride length is 20 inches.

The 16-pound flywheel of the Niceday Elliptical Machine provides a smooth, quiet, and consistent motion.

This elliptical comes with 16 resistance levels and a hyper-quiet magnetic drive system. This system eliminates noise and controls the sound at 20 decibels.

What makes this elliptical unique is that it comes 90% pre-assembled. You can assemble the whole machine in just 30 minutes, which is a good feature, especially if you are a beginner or lack the time or tools to assemble it.

SOLE Fitness E95 Indoor Elliptical

The SOLE Fitness E95 Indoor Elliptical has a weight capacity of 400 pounds.

Besides the Niceday, Sole is also a great elliptical for heavy people. Sole is more expensive, but it has a bigger stride length and more training options.

Sole Fitness knows that not everyone walks the same way, so the E95 pedals are adjustable to give you a more comfortable experience. You can adjust the foot pedals to 10 positions, and each pedal has a 2-degree inward slope. 

The ramp angle is also adjustable (from 0 to 20 levels of incline), so you can work your lower body muscles at a higher intensity. The console is adjustable to 10 positions, so you can get a clear view of the display while you train.

Like the others, this elliptical has two handles; stationary and movable. You can also use the movable handles if you want to engage your upper body. 

To add more challenge to your workout, you can try the ten workout programs (6 standard, 2 custom, and 2 heart programs). If you want to monitor your heart rate, the handles have pulse grips, and this machine is chest strap compatible. 

Afully Elliptical Machine

The Afully Elliptical Machine has a weight capacity of 390 pounds, slightly lower than Niceday and Sole ellipticals. But Afully is more affordable than Niceday, at around half the price of Niceday.

Like the Niceday Elliptical Machine, it controls noise at 20 decibels. So it operates smoothly and quietly.

Unlike others, this elliptical has fewer resistance levels, only 8. And the stride length is only 13.5 inches. So this elliptical can accommodate you if your height is between 4 feet and 9 inches to 6 feet.

You can assemble this machine in 25-60 minutes, as it comes semi-finished. This elliptical is a great option if you have a limited space, as it has a small footprint. 

Nautilus E618 Elliptical

The Nautilus E618 has a maximum user capacity of 350 pounds, and the stride length is 21.97 inches (the longest on this list). 

If you are looking for more workout programs and higher resistance levels, Nautilus E618 is the elliptical for you. It has 29 Nautilus training programs, including preset options for heart rate, interval, weight loss, and customizable training. 

It has 20 resistance levels, and you can adjust the incline from 0-10 degrees.

Apart from the workout programs and resistance options, you can connect the trainer to the Nautilus Trainer 2 App and RunSocial App. It allows you to run alongside other people on 19 locations and 27 routes.

If you have a low ceiling at your home gym, you can estimate the minimum ceiling height you need using the formula below.

Estimated Minimum Ceiling Height = User Height + 21 inches

Like Sole E95, Nautilus E618 has a pulse grip on the handle and an included chest strap to measure your heart rate. However, this elliptical is among the expensive models on this list, like Sole.

Pooboo Magnetic Elliptical Trainer

Pooboo Magnetic Elliptical Trainer has a weight capacity of 330 pounds. And Pooboo is also a good option if you want a quiet elliptical. 

Like Afully and Niceday, this elliptical controls the sound level to 20 decibels. And it has the same price as Afully. 

According to Pooboo, the eight levels of resistance correspond to the following exercise:

• 1-2 levels: Rehabilitation
• 3-4 levels: Leisure Fitness
• 5-6 levels: Cardio Workout
• 7-8 levels: Endurance

This model comes 80% assembled, so you can set it up quickly. It also has a small footprint like Afully, which makes it easy to store in your home gym. 

If you find missing parts, you can contact them; they will ship them to you for free.

Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical

The Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical has a user weight capacity of 300 pounds.

If the Nautilus E618 is too expensive for you, an elliptical with many workout programs and a wide range of resistance is also the Schwinn 430 Elliptical. 

It has 22 preset programs, including eight heart rate control, two customized, two fitness tests, one quick start option, and others. The resistance level ranges from 0-20 levels.

You can adjust the ramp angle to different incline options for more workout variations. The high inertia drive system is easy to start and is smooth and quiet to operate. 

What makes this elliptical unique from others is that it has a built-in fan to keep you cool during exercise. And you can adjust it into three-speed options.

Marcy Pro Elliptical Cross Trainer NS-40501E

Marcy Pro Elliptical Cross Trainer has the same weight capacity (300 pounds) as the Schwinn 430, but is cheaper and has a smaller footprint. So if you want a more budget-friendly elliptical, try the Marcy Pro Elliptical Cross Trainer NS-40501E.

The display panel shows the time, speed, distance, odometer, and calories burned. It also has a scan-through setting, so you can track your progress. 

It has eight resistance levels, which you can adjust using the tension knob. The stride length is 14 inches and has a transportation wheel so you can easily move the elliptical.

Marcy is an excellent choice if you want an affordable elliptical that can still support heavy people. It is the most affordable elliptical on this list.

What to look for in the best elliptical for heavy people?

Weight Capacity

The first thing to look for in an elliptical is the weight capacity. This will tell you how much weight the machine can hold. 

All the ellipticals listed here can hold a weight of 300 pounds and above. Some can even handle up to 400 lbs. A high weight capacity also means the elliptical is durable and safe to use.

Stride Length

The next thing to look for in an elliptical is the stride length. Stride length refers to how far your feet move with each footstep while on the machine. This is an important consideration if your height is taller or shorter than the average. 

The typical stride length for most ellipticals is 20 inches, which is enough for users around 5’3″ to 6′. 

According to Sunny Health and Fitness (1), you can estimate your stride length using the guide below. The length may vary by 1 – 2 inches.

• Under 5′: 11-14 inches
• 5’0″ to 5’3″: 14-16 inches
• 5’4″ to 5’8″: 16-20 inches
• 5’9″ to 6’0″: 18-20 inches
• Over 6′: 20+ inches

Flywheel Weight

The flywheel increases momentum and provides stability to your elliptical. This is especially important if you are heavy and want to eliminate the risk of tipping over. The heavier the flywheel of your elliptical, the more stable it will be. 

However, you should consider that it will also make your workouts harder. This is because a heavier flywheel can generate more resistance.

Most ellipticals have a flywheel of 10-25 pounds. A 20-pound flywheel should be enough for a heavy person.

Resistance

As someone who weighs more than average, you may struggle with exercises that require a lot of resistance. In this case, it’s important to look for an elliptical that offers a wide range of resistance to accommodate your needs better.

If you’re unsure how much resistance you can handle, start off conservatively and increase as needed. Make sure several levels of resistance are available, so you don’t get bored or overdo it too quickly.

Durability

If you plan to use your machine heavily, ensure it can withstand such use. Look for features like heavy-duty materials, sturdy construction, and a warranty. 

This will ensure your new workout buddy lasts you more than a few months. Also, look at reviews of the model from other people who have purchased it, and see what they have to say about its durability.

Which heavy-duty elliptical is best overall?

The best elliptical for heavy people, in my opinion, is the Niceday Elliptical Machine. Niceday has a weight capacity of 400 lbs, which is enough for heavy people. 

It has a smooth and quiet operation, limiting the sound to up to 20 decibels. It has 16 resistance levels, and the stride length is 15.5 inches.

Another reason why I recommend Niceday is that it comes 90% pre-assembled and is cheaper than other ellipticals.

FAQ about ellipticals for heavy people

What to do next?

I hope these tips were helpful, whether you’re a heavy person looking for an elliptical or someone looking to help them. 

Each of the ellipticals I recommended has a weight capacity of 300 pounds and above, and is great for heavy people. I hope you find an elliptical that can withstand your weight and suit your taste. 

If you have any questions about these ellipticals, please ask them in the comments section below.

If you have any questions about ellipticals, please contact me.

Happy training in your home gym!
Inge van Haselen
Personal Trainer

Related Articles on Ellipticals/Cross trainers:

• Elliptical Vs Stairmaster
• 6 Best Under Desk Ellipticals for your Home Gym
• Home Gym Equipment Guide