Buying and moving a used elliptical trainer

[splitsquat]

Thinking about buying a used elliptical for some low intensity steady state cardio (while watching TV/youtube), but I'm not familiar with how ellipticals are designed. Can these be relatively easily disassembled for moving? I'd need to disassemble into manageable pieces in terms of both my ability to carry them (possibly by myself, and possibly up/down stairs, depending on where a seller has the machine) and fit into a 4dr passenger car (with folding rear seats). I have tools and a bit of mechanical ability, but I wouldn't want to do a really detailed disassembly at seller's home, and most sellers probably would not be cool with that anyway.

I have bought/sold items like power rack and GHD where it's just a matter of zipping off (cordless impact) nuts/bolts to get the equipment down to manageable sized pieces. Wondering if elliptical trainers are anything like this.

[radrd]

The one I had and got rid of was not easy to move. Definitely can be done, but I didn't enjoy the process and won't be doing it again. The main unit that houses the electronics and fly wheel didn't disassemble much and was heavy AF. The arms and legs weren't intuitive to put back together. Three person operation and wouldn't easily fit in a car. Very hard to carry it alone, even if you could handle the weight. Very awkward.

This was a low end Live Strong model. I don't think they even make them anymore. Maybe a better quality unit would be easier to move.

[ampire]

I would rent or borrow a truck. Home depot will rent you a truck for a $19 for 75 mins. For the large and heavy commercial cybex 530r recumbent bike we have, we borrowed a neighbors old truck.

If you have a second or third person, lifting the elliptical shouldn't be too bad and getting it onto and off the truck won't be a big deal I think. That way you do not need to disassemble it and you don't need to worry about fitting it into your car or damaging your car in the process.

[splitsquat]

I would rent or borrow a truck. Home depot will rent you a truck for a $19 for 75 mins. For the large and heavy commercial cybex 530r recumbent bike we have, we borrowed a neighbors old truck.

If you have a second or third person, lifting the elliptical shouldn't be too bad and getting it onto and off the truck won't be a big deal I think. That way you do not need to disassemble it and you don't need to worry about fitting it into your car or damaging your car in the process.

Yeah, I can do the HD truck rental, which would eliminate one issue. But I'd still need to do some disassembly unless the owner is willing to help move it. And even then, if stairs are involved, these are heavy and awkward items to move up/down stairs.

[ampire]

Yeah, I can do the HD truck rental, which would eliminate one issue. But I'd still need to do some disassembly unless the owner is willing to help move it. And even then, if stairs are involved, these are heavy and awkward items to move up/down stairs.

Hire some dudes to help.

[lsi1]

Mine is an older model Nordic Track that folds in the middle. he foot plates detatch from the flywheel and attach to the arms when unhooked and folded with large magnets. It has very small roller wheels on it and can be rolled in its folded condition. I moved it by myself in the winter time by loading it into my kid's sled and towing it across the yard to the back door where I just man handled it into the house.

I moved one for a friend that we had to disassemble. it was simple hand tools and common sense to put it all back together again.

[gym62richard]

I've had 2 elipticals, LifeFitness and Octane, both purchased used, they were more awkward than overly heavy, I didn't attempt to disassemble either unit.

My recommendation, truck or trailer, a couple of furniture dollies and preferably a second person.

[Greybird2]

Helped move our Life Fitness elliptical into a truck with a liftgate. Unloaded and carried into basement only taking off the console. With 2 people, it was a challenge. Even worse was the Life Fitness functional trainer. The side frames are heavy and awkward. Lots of trips with all the parts and weight stacks. LF treadmill also heavy and awkward. The easier end is the one going down first if you have a choice....

[Murser]

They’re not hard to move with another person who wants to make it easy. Get a drama queen helper and it can be a pain in the ass.

[ripper238]

Ellipticals can be tough. Large and ~300lbs.

Greatly depends on the model. Definitely do able with 2 men and a truck.