Elliptical trainers are designed to simulate a comfortable, natural running and walking stride -- but your stride length usually varies with your height, and if you're extremely short or have some form of dwarfism, finding an elliptical trainer that fits your body can be difficult. Although stride length is the most obvious limiting factor, you also have to take into account the height of the console, handlebar length and where the controls are located.
Stride Length
If you're extremely short you have a very short stride length, too. Look for elliptical trainers with a stride length of less than 18 inches -- then resign yourself to trying out every elliptical trainer you can get your hands on. Visit fitness equipment retailers and general department stores in your area and ask to test their machines, particularly front-drive ellipticals, which often provide a shorter-feeling stride than rear-drive models.
Other Considerations
In order to use an elliptical trainer's moving handlebars, you should be able to grasp the handlebar and swing your arms naturally back and forth near waist-height, as if you were jogging. If you're very short, you might have trouble reaching the handles on a typical elliptical trainer. Some models come with adjustable-height handlebars or rotating handles that swing down to provide you with a more comfortable arm motion. Look for an adjustable-tilt console that swings down to give you a better view of the readout and access to controls.
An Unexpected Benefit
Many elliptical trainers have oversized pedals. But if you're very short and have small feet, you don't need big pedals. Look for standard-sized pedals instead. Although your short stature might not seem like an advantage, the type of small-pedal, short-stride elliptical trainer you're likely to feel most comfortable on often sells for much less than long-stride, oversized-pedal models; at least you stand to save some money.
Adaptive Motion
Some elliptical trainers offer adjustable stride lengths within a set range -- for example, the elliptical might adjust to accommodate a 16-, 18- or 20-inch stride. This might allow you to share the same machine with other, taller family members. If you have some form of dwarfism and are extremely short your best solution, depending on your height, may be an adaptive motion or free motion elliptical trainer. These trainers have pedals that automatically accommodate a stride of any length, from an up-and-down stair stepping motion to a normal elliptical stride. You determine the stride length by how you move your feet; no adjusting of controls or mechanisms needed.
Mini Ellipticals
If you have some form of dwarfism, you have another option available to you: Mini elliptical trainers. These small pedal exercisers offer limited benefit for people of average height because they don't provide enough range of motion. But they might provide just the right range of motion for you. Mini ellipticals are designed for use while either sitting or standing, and lack the vertical support column you'll find on any full-size elliptical trainer. If you plan to use the mini elliptical while standing, consider placing it near a wall or something else sturdy you can use for balance.
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