If you own an elliptical trainer in your home gym, there will come a time when you need to move it somewhere, whether it is to a different room in your house or into another location altogether.
Unlike a treadmill, which simply folds up, an elliptical bulky shape can sometimes make it tricky to move.
If you are simply moving your elliptical machine across the floor, you can easily do it all by yourself with the built in transport wheels on the feet.
However, in most cases, you do need to take the equipment hardware apart to make it easier to maneuver through hallways and doorways.
In today’s article, we will show you how to move an elliptical machine safely from one spot to another and give you several tips to help streamline the transportation process.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
What Is The Best Way to Move an Elliptical machine?
First and foremost, you need to figure out what kind of move you’ll be doing.
If you’re going across the room or staying on one floor, you’ll only need to use the cross trainer’s wheels to move it across the floor as a whole.
This allows you to simply tilt the machine and push it to your desired space.
You don’t need to disassemble it or change anything about the unit.
The advantage of this method is that it involves fewer steps and very little mess. However, it is a bit harder and trickier than the other method due to the constant presence of the moving parts.
You’re also more likely to scratch your hardwood floors in pushing or pulling your machine.
The second method is going to require you to take the elliptical apart to ease the moving process.
Disassembling your elliptical as much as possible will make it much easier to pack and move.
Most elliptical machines can be easily broken down into smaller pieces. With a few simple tools, you can remove each of the handles, as well as the foot pedals.
Tools You Are Going To Need To Move An Elliptical?
Before you take apart your elliptical to break it down into smaller pieces, the first step is to gather all the necessary tools.
You don’t want to go through with one step, then realize that something is lacking.
Here’s what you’ll need for disassembling your elliptical machine:
- Allen Wrench
- Phillips head screwdriver
- A Plastic bag.
How To Take Apart An Elliptical To Move?
Taking apart your elliptical cross trainer is easier in transportation but also messier.
Basically you are taking the pedals and handlebars apart from the main base of the workout machine using a wrench and screwdriver so that you have the frame as an entity and the handles with the foot pedals as a separate one.
The exact steps for the assembling process may vary based on your elliptical model.
This will be a general guide to take you through the necessary steps. You need to refer to your instructions manual to identify how to access and disassemble the parts indicated.
Before you start disassembling your elliptical trainer, power it down and unplug it from the power outlet.
You would also consider taking photos of your elliptical from all angles while it’s still assembled, as this will help you put everything back together later on.
Step 1: Remove the stride arms
The first step is to remove the stride arms from the machine’s frame, this can usually be done with a Phillips head screwdriver.
You can find a screw on the back of each arm, so unscrew each one and place them safely in your plastic bag.
Step 2: Remove the pedals
Next, find the mounting bolts that hold the pedals to the base of the unit and unscrew them using your Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 3: Unhook the resistance system from the frame
The next step is to disconnect this system from the rest of the machine. This can be done by removing bolts that are located on the backside of each pivot arm, so use your Allen wrench or Hex key for this step.
Step 4: Remove the wires and any electronic Components
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove any screens, speakers, or other expensive external technology attachments.
Tape the wires down to the body of the elliptical so they don’t fall inside the unit. This will also protect them during the move.
Put the screws in the plastic bag and set them aside.
Step 5: Remove the upright support bar
Once you’ve disassembled any removable parts from your elliptical, remove the upright support bar that typically contains the electrical controls and sensors.
This will leave you with the main base of the elliptical as one large item.
Once you detach the heavy parts, your elliptical will be light enough to move on your own, the shape is also much less awkward to carry.
Make sure that you have collected all of the nuts and bolts and put them in a clear plastic bag so you can easily reattach once moved.
How to Prepare Your Elliptical for Moving?
If you’re not careful about moving an elliptical trainer with its awkward tricky construction without taking the proper precautions, you would not only cause yourself some possible injury, but you also can end up breaking the equipment itself.
These are a few steps to consider in order to prepare your elliptical machine for moving:
1. Clear Your Path
This step is important no matter where you’re planning to move your elliptical. You should plan your path and clear out all objects that might obstruct you during the process.
Neglecting this step can result in injury for you and the people you’re with, as well as damage to the machine and other surfaces if it falls during transport.
2. Have an Assistant
The moving process is definitely a two-person job, so make sure you have at least one person to assist you in order to safely and successfully move the machine.
3. Utilize Proper Lifting Techniques
One of the best ways to prevent injury while moving your elliptical is to utilize proper lifting technique.
While doing heavy lifting of any kind, it can be easy to cop out and let your back bear most of the weight, but you should avoid this approach at all costs.
Instead, drive up through your legs and use them to shoulder most of the load. This will help keep your center of gravity low during transport and remain balanced while holding the machine.
How To Move An Elliptical By Yourself?
Depends on what kind of move you’ll be doing. If you’re going across the room or staying on one floor, you’ll only need to use the cross trainer’s wheels to move it across the floor.
Most ellipticals have small wheels mounted at the front edge of the frame so that once the back end is off the ground you can simply roll them.
To wheel your cross trainer you will need some tools. As most ellipticals are large and awkward in shape. Here’s what you’ll need for moving your elliptical machine:
- Heavy duty furniture dolly, in case you don’t want to use the elliptical transportation wheels or damage the floor.
- Moving blankets, to protect the machine when you move.
- Tie-down straps
The moving process is definitely a two-person job, so make sure you have at least one person to assist you in order to safely and successfully move the machine.
Moving the frame will require you to load it onto a furniture dolly and transport it to the new desired location.
To place your elliptical on the furniture dolly, lift up the front side of the elliptical, and guide it onto the dolly using the transport wheels. Roll the machine to the back of the dolly so it’s secure.
Ensure that you lift the machine with your legs while maintaining a flat back to prevent back injuries.
Don’t forget to also cover the equipment in moving blankets to protect it while it’s in transport.
The arms and pedals can be immobilized using the tie down strap and the ratchet tie. By slipping the strap under the elliptical and wrapping it up and around the arms of the machine, you should be able to keep the arms from causing any trouble.
Once the elliptical is on the dolly, make sure its weight is evenly distributed.
You can also add another strap to secure your machine to the back of the dolly or ask your assistant to hold it from the side as you walk to its next location.
If your elliptical is going into a moving truck, place it in a secure, snug area with a moving blanket underneath it.
Finally after you get your machine into the new location, the only thing left for you to do now is to assemble the elliptical back. The process of assembling the machine is just in reverse order what you have done in order to take apart the machine.
Just make sure to lubricate your elliptical machine moving parts.
How To Move An Elliptical Up Stairs?
There are three different types of elliptical trainers: front-drive, rear-drive, and center-drive.
In rear-drive machines, the flywheel sits at the back, meaning that part of the machine will be the heaviest. The same goes for front-drive ellipticals (the flywheel is in the front), and center-drive (the flywheel sits in the center with pedals on either side.)
As such, having two people handle the flywheel part can be helpful to disperse the load evenly.
The elliptical arms and pedals can be immobilized using the tie down strap and the ratchet tie. By slipping the strap under the elliptical and wrapping it up and around the arms of the machine, you should be able to keep the arms from causing you any trouble.
Be wary of putting too much stress on the arms of the elliptical during this process, as the ties could slide off.
It is also highly recommended to use shoulder straps for this portion of the move as well.
Shoulder straps will slide under the frame of the machine and tie around each mover’s shoulders to lessen the burden of the machine as a whole.
When everything is up and ready, move slowly and carefully when climbing the stairs.
Make sure to take plenty of breaks if necessary, if not take one step forward at a time while keeping your momentum forward as much as possible to avoid falling backward.
How To Move An Elliptical Down Stairs?
You won’t have the liberty of using a furniture dolly here. You have two options here again to follow, either take apart the machine to ease the moving process. If so, get back to the disassembling section and follow along.
However, If you choose to move the elliptical without disassembling, then the steps are similar to moving the elliptical upstairs.
As such, having two people handle the flywheel part can be helpful to disperse the load evenly.
Slide the shoulder straps under the frame of the machine and tie around each mover’s shoulders to lessen the burden of the machine as a whole.
When everything is up and ready, move slowly and carefully when going down the stairs.
Final Thoughts
It might seem daunting, sometimes intimidating to move an elliptical machine, but it’s much easier than you think.
With all the aforementioned information, you will be willing to know how to move an elliptical by yourself and safely transport it to its new location.
Just make sure to get another person to help you, preferably two when lifting such heavy equipment.
FAQ
Can one person move an elliptical?
The best way to go about it when moving an elliptical is to find assistance, especially if you’re moving it up or down the stairs. But one person still can move an elliptical machine if it is on the same flooring by the usage of the built in transportation wheels
Are ellipticals easy to move?
As long as you have a thorough plan of action, and additional helpers to assist you in the process, you should be able to do it without much trouble.
