Looking for the best elliptical for small spaces? Maybe you have a small exercise room or want an elliptical that will fit in a condo or apartment.

You can get small ellipticals at most department stores these days. However, these are usually fairly cheap models that will break (or start to squeak) within the first month you bring them home.

How do you find a well-made, high-quality elliptical that doesn’t take up a lot of space? Here are 3 elliptical trainer options that are big on value, but small on size for you to consider:

#1 Nordic track ACT

The ACT elliptical is unique in that it is not a rear-drive elliptical (where the flywheel is behind the pedals) or a front-drive elliptical (where the flywheel is in front of the pedals).

It’s actually a mid-drive elliptical, where you have two smaller flywheels on either side of the pedals.

This has the effect of shortening the footprint of the elliptical and giving it a squarer footprint instead of the typical long rectangle.

While there are a couple of different ACT models, the main ACT elliptical measures just 31 x 54 inches, which is smaller than many standard ellipticals.

Another benefit of the ACT is that you stand taller on the pedals and lean less on the handrails, which for many people is more comfortable overall.

And finally, as long as we’re talking about small spaces, the ACT also has a lower step height than many regular ellipticals, making it ideal if you have a low ceiling height.

#2 Bowflex Max Trainer

This is a new type of elliptical trainer, more of a vertical climbing machine that combines an elliptical motion with a stair-climbing motion.

This uses more lower body muscles and helps you burn more calories than a regular elliptical trainer.

According to the manufacturer, you can burn up to 2.5 times more calories on the Max Trainer than on a regular elliptical, which means you see results very quickly.

Plus, the Max Trainer is about half the size of a standard elliptical trainer. There are a couple of different models, however the main M5 model is 25 x 46.1 inches in size, even smaller than the older ACT.

#3 Proform Smart Strider Elliptical

Proform currently has a few different models of the Smart Strider elliptical, each with different consoles and features. But the most important thing to know is that all of these trainers are designed so that you can easily fold them up and store them away.

In fact, when folded, they can easily be taken out of training areas and stored away. They even fit in your closet!

It can be hard to find a folding elliptical these days, and if you do, many of them tend to be cheap and flimsy due to the limits of a folding design.

However, Smart Strider ellipticals are built with heavier flywheels and a steel gauge frame to give them more weight and stability.

Plus, you also get incline on most models, which most folding trainers don’t give you (again due to the limits of a folding design).

So you can change the incline of your incline elliptical running route and get a better cross-training workout.

However, it’s fair to point out that they’re a standard (not compact) size when in use: around 32 by 65 inches. They are actually only small when folded. So this may not be the best option if you’re just looking for a general small elliptical.

Those are 3 of the best ellipticals for small spaces, still giving you well-built and stable machines. Each has its benefits. Take your time, do your research, and choose a trainer that fits your space and fitness goals.