Elliptical Trainer Ceiling Height
by Rich
Rojas
zone3
When selecting an elliptical trainer for your home it’s critical to
make sure that it will fit into the space you’ve selected. The elliptical
trainer “footprint” is the total area that the base of the machine
occupies. This is the width times the length of the elliptical
trainer.
It is also necessary to allow at least 2 feet all around this footprint
in order for convenient mounting and dismounting from the elliptical
trainer. This additional clearance is also necessary for the upper arm
handles if present. There’s nothing worse than punching holes into your
drywall because you didn’t allow sufficient clearance for the handles!
However, there’s another dimension that many people overlook when
selecting an elliptical trainer and that’s the elevation of the foot
pedals from the floor. You may ask what this is all about, but it’s
important to remember that an elliptical trainer is a 3-dimensional
machine and occupies space. Elliptical Trainer ceiling height is the often
overlooked dimension when selecting and locating an elliptical
trainer.
The good news is that rooms in most American homes and apartments are
built with a ceiling height of 8 feet. In fact, many newer homes are being
built with 9-foot ceilings and higher
Unfortunately the dimension that you need to calculate head clearance
is not provided in many elliptical trainer specifications. The dimension
called “height”, which is often provided, is of no use in calculating head
clearance. Height is the maximum height of the trainer from the floor to
the tips of the arm handles. What we want is the height from the floor to
the bottom of the lowest extent of the foot pedals.
Precor is a manufacturer that provides this dimension. They call it
“Height of footplate at lowest position (step up)”. This is the height
that you should add to your own height to determine that your head will
not bump into the ceiling.
If the room where you want to locate your elliptical trainer has a
9-foot ceiling then you have nothing to worry about. Just don’t position
your elliptical under a low hanging light fixture. You would have to stand
8’4” to bump your head on a 9-foot ceiling. Not much chance of this
happening to anyone I know.
If your ceiling height is 8 feet, then unless you’re 7 feet tall or
greater, you will still not bump your head on the ceiling. However, even
if you are a few inches shorter, say 6’6”, it may feel like your head is
too close to the ceiling while exercising on an elliptical trainer. This
can be unnerving, so it’s something to consider.
Now, if you want to locate your elliptical trainer in your basement and
the ceiling is a low one – say 7 feet, then watch your head if you’re 6’4”
or taller!
I remember lifting weights in the unfinished basement of my parents’
home and looking up at the ceiling while resting between sets of bench
presses. I’d look up at the multitude of nails poking through the
floorboards and wonder if I could impale my head on them if I jumped high
enough. Fortunately for me I couldn’t jump that high!
Since most elliptical trainers have similar foot pedal elevations, it’s
more an issue of selecting a room with sufficient elliptical trainer
ceiling height than the other way around.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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