How to move an elliptical machine (without breaking your back)

Moving an elliptical bike can be a daunting task at first glance. Whether you’re moving house or setting up a new workout area, you might wonder, “how do I move an elliptical?” 

The good news is you don’t have to figure it out all by yourself! This guide will walk you through the entire process of moving an elliptical. 

Tools and equipment needed 

• Wrench and screwdriver - for disassembling your elliptical 

• Plastic bags - to store small parts such as nuts, bolts, and screws

• Moving blankets - to protect your elliptical machine from damage and prevent it from scratching any walls 

• Crumpled paper - to pack around the delicate parts of your elliptical machine

• Packing tape, straps, and ties - to secure the machine

• Your exercise bike’s instruction manual - to help you disassemble/reassemble your machine 

• Smartphone/camera - to take photos before disassembly and help you remember where everything goes 

• Furniture dolly and minivan - for transporting the elliptical machine to another location

Steps: How to move an elliptical by yourself 

Keep your instruction manual on hand when figuring out how to move your elliptical or exercise bike. You’ll need to refer to the manual throughout the process. 

Now, let’s start moving the elliptical!

Step 1: Plan out your move

Before you jump right into all the heavy lifting and pushing, take a tour of where your elliptical is and the spot you plan to move it to.

Study the route 

Account for the space, any staircases, cramped hallways you’ll pass through, or sharp turns that might scratch your bike during the move.

Take note of the elliptical specifications

Take note of the type of elliptical machine you have as well; its weight, size, and type will matter when moving due to the number of people, kind of dolly, and moving vehicle you’ll need. 

For example, standard elliptical bikes can weigh anywhere from 60 to 450 pounds (27 to 204 kilograms), depending on whether they’re lightweight or heavy-duty. Compact ellipticals, as the name implies, are lighter, weighing 20 to 100 lbs (9 to 45 kg). Gliding ellipticals lack a flywheel, making them easier to disassemble and lift.
 

Step 2: Disassemble the elliptical machine

Can you disassemble an elliptical? And is it necessary before moving the machine? You sure can, and here’s why it’s recommended that you do: 

Disassembling an elliptical makes moving easier since there are smaller parts to move upstairs, downstairs, or into your moving van. While you can move an elliptical machine without disassembling it, the handlebars and pedals might make it unwieldy. Still, disassembly isn’t 100% necessary.
 

How to disassemble an elliptical: 

1. If you decide to disassemble your machine, start by taking pictures of the parts. This will help you remember where everything goes and how it all fits together. (This is also a helpful tip for any time you’re moving house and packing up). 

2. Then, gather your instruction manual, wrench, screwdriver, and any other tools the manual requires. 

3. You’ll need to remove the pedals and handlebars and collect all the parts into plastic bags. By the end of this step, you should be left with just the main frame of your elliptical.
   
   

Step 3: Secure the parts of the elliptical bike

The next step in how to move an elliptical machine is securing it.
 

Securing a disassembled elliptical: 

• Pad the frame with crumpled paper and packing tape. 

• Tie a moving blanket around the frame to avoid scratches on the machine or any walls/other furniture.
   

Securing an elliptical without disassembly: 

• Use straps and ratchet ties to secure the pedals. Lift one side of the elliptical (front or back), place the strap underneath, then use the ratchet tie to hold the machine’s legs in place. 

• Avoid putting too much pressure on the arms, which might cause the ratchet ties to slip. 

• Wrap the parts in crumpled paper or other wrapping materials, and secure them with a moving blanket and packing tape as needed. 

• If possible, box up the parts, starting with the base, the upright support bar, and the smaller pieces. 

• You can add padding to the box to make your machine even safer during the move. Don’t forget to secure everything with packing tape!
   

Step 4: Move the elliptical upstairs or downstairs 

How to move a heavy elliptical up or down the stairs, you ask? Keep these tips in mind: 

• Start with noting where the flywheel is. This is the heavy end of the machine/box. 

• Have your moving buddy grab one end and slowly ease your way through the staircase. 

• If you’re moving downstairs, it’s best to have the flywheel towards the lower end of the staircase for better control. 

• It’s also best to have someone else spot you and your moving buddy as you navigate the stairs.

Moreover, when moving a heavy elliptical bike, stand next to it and have your moving buddy stand on the other side. Lift at the same time. 

Unsure about whether you can handle this DIY style? If in doubt, you can hire a Tasker to do the heavy lifting. 

How to move an elliptical to a different location 

Safely transporting an elliptical involves using a furniture dolly as much as possible: 

• Once you’ve packed up the machine, center it on the dolly and secure it using straps or ties. 

• Use the dolly to load the elliptical onto the moving van or truck.

• Once you get to your destination, unload the dolly from the vehicle. Then, you and your buddy can unload the machine and start setting it up. Just take out your instruction manual, tools, and the photos you took earlier! 

Want to save the heavy lifting workout for the home gym? Book a Tasker instead! 

Now that you know how to move your elliptical machine, planning a move for your home gym is easier! And while you can save a bit of time and money doing this by yourself, hiring expert fitness equipment movers can be safer and even more efficient. 

Ellipticals and weights aren’t the only items Taskers can move! If you need help packing, securing, and moving your refrigerator or television, you can also book appliance movers to help you out.