So...are ellipticals not for shorter people?

[flycatcher]

Haha, but seriously. I am 5'1" and I've tried the elliptical machine before and felt like a complete spaz.

After (discreetly) studying someone else on one today I tried again...nope. If I try to maintain even a decent speed
it feels like my legs are going to go flying!

Whatever leg is lower is hardly on the pedal thing when I do a rotation, if that makes any sense.

Any shorter people have success on ellipticals? Is it just me?  I know, silly question...

[joenali]

Maybe you need more resistance???

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm with joenali. More resistance is your friend.

ETA: I'm short too (28" inseam, anyone?) and they work ok for me.  The trick for me is to set up with at least a medium resistance and shove my feet all the way up against the little toe kick at the front.

[hannahb]

I feel like they are set up for certain heights. I also feel like they have certain stride lengths too. I'm not short but the ellipticals at my gym seem so unnatural to me

[flycatcher]

I will try that next time. Everyone makes that machine sound great, so far it feels like an accident waiting to happen! Thanks!

[Susie]

I don't know, I'm 5'2 and have never had a problem. Obviously the pedals are way bigger than my feet, but that's true for most people. Team more resistance.

[shorty20]

I'm 5'2" as well and have never had a problem.

[Deleted]

I'm 5'3" and have no issues.

[flycatcher]

Great! This gives me hope that one day I'll get along with the elliptical.

[trigal]

I'm 5' 1" and I have no problems with the elliptical. Vary the resistance and the incline.

[mcc]

Also there might be different models at your gym. Try different ones and see which you like best. My heels always come up at the back of my "stroke".

[al320]

Im tall, 5'10", and cant figure them out to save my life.

[pixy0stix]

I feel like I'm going to fly out of them, too, and I'm 4" taller than you. I'd rather stick to the treadmill.