How to Disassemble an Elliptical Machine

Leaving the city or moving out to another state, but you don’t want to leave your elliptical trainer behind? Or do you just want to move it upstairs, to your garden, or anywhere in your home? Elliptical trainer machines are a quite expensive exercise equipment. You need to take extra care when trying to transport them elsewhere. When moving your elliptical machine, you can harm your home furniture, get yourself injured, or even accidentally damage any part of the elliptical.

In this guide, you will learn how to tear down your elliptical machine, like a pro, in a few safe steps. 

You need to know the mechanical parts of each elliptical machine to tear it down to these smaller pieces that are easy to carry and transport. 

Components of elliptical trainers: 

• Console.
• Handlebars.
• Flywheel.
• Foot pedals.
• Deck and rails or rollers (Rollers depend on the type of the machine).

But, before getting down to business, there are a couple of tools you will need to disassemble the elliptical machine.

Tools needed before dismantling an elliptical machine: 

• A clamp/screwdriver that accommodates your machine type.
• Allen wrenches that fit in with your machine type’s nuts and bolts.
• A marker to identify the parts for each bag by labeling them. 
• Insulator tape to help protect electronic parts.
• Bubble plastic wrap to help protect the machine parts.
• Packages for each part to protect these parts when moving. You can use the original boxes of your ellipticals if you still have them.
• Blankets for larger machine parts. 
• Adhesive or pressing tape to secure the parts boxes. 

You will need the last 4 tools in case you are moving the machine on a truck. If you are moving the elliptical to somewhere at your home, then you will not need them.

Once you have all the tools required, you are now good to go. 

Disassembling an elliptical machine, step-by-step guide: 

Video tutorial (might be helpful)

Note: While disassembling each part of the elliptical machine, make sure to take a picture of it for an easier reassembly process.

You are going to break down the machine from its top part (the console) to its bottom parts (the pedals). 

• First Step: turn off the machine power source

Many types of elliptical machines are electronic. This implies that the machine is connected to an electrical power source. To securely isolate the head of the elliptical and the other parts without getting an electrical shock, you need to disconnect your elliptical power source first. 

• Second Step: Unscrew the console (the elliptical head part)

You need to be extra careful with this step to not to harm the wiring. 

• Start with unscrewing the console with the compatible Allen key. 
• Then detach the wiring and cables of the console, and take care not to harm the wiring when removing the head. 
• Use the insulator on the ends of the wires to prevent them from fraying or causing any harm. 
• Label the screws bag and store them. 

• Third Step: Move onto the elliptical handrails

• To unscrew each handlebar, you will need a compatible screwdriver and Allen wrenches. 
• You will need a compatible Allen wrench to tear down the handlebars to their smaller components. 
• Start with unscrewing the left handlebar. 
• Make sure you are securing the right handlebar when unscrewing the left handlebar, as it might be spinning the other side. 
• Repeat the same process of eliminating the screws and detaching the left handlebar to the right one. 
• You can either label each handlebar screws or nuts and bolts in a bag to store them (preferably when moving the elliptical machine out). Or also you can put them back into their position (Preferably if you are moving them elsewhere at your home). This will keep them from being mixed up.

• Fourth Step: Unscrew the foot pedals 

This step is similar to detaching the handlebars step. Now things are getting easier when moving from part to part. 

• Begin with the left pedal, unscrew the upper fixed part of the left pedal and move on and unscrew the lower part of the left pedal with compatible Allen wrenches.  
• Take extra care when detaching the foot pedals as this part may have cables connecting them to the machine. 
• If the pedal is wired to the elliptical machine, tape the ends of the Cable ones with an insulating tap.
• Secure the left foot pedals, screw them in a bag, and label them with the marker.
• Repeat the cycle, same with the right foot pedal. 
• You can break down each foot pedal into smaller components by using compatible Allen wrenches. 

• Fifth Step: Detach the console mast 

The console mast is the part that carries the console on the top. It also holds both the moving and the fixed handlebars on both sides. It is co-called the neck of the elliptical.  

• Start with disassembling the bottom screws, then move on to the upper ones. 
• Be more cautious when dismantling this part. It has cables attaching it to the elliptical machine. 
• Protect the end of the wires with insulator tape.
• Collect the screws in a labeled plastic bag. 

• Sixth Step: Detach the Deck and rails from the flywheel. 

Whether the flywheel is located at the front of the elliptical (under the console mast) or at the back of the elliptical machine. Here is how to detach the deck and rollers (if there are any) from the elliptical machine: 

• Disassemble the bottom screws of each side.
• Store the screws in a plastic bag and label them with a marker. 
• You can go further and dismantle this component into smaller pieces. 

After doing these above steps with care, you are now ready to pack them for moving if you are going to move out. If you are moving them to a different space at your home, you are good to go. 

Dismantling the elliptical machine into smaller pieces is safer when transporting them on a truck and protects the parts from damage. However, if you find it too hard to do or beyond your skill level, you can disassemble the elliptical into its main 3 components:

• The handlebars
• The base.
• The foot pedals.
• When disassembling your elliptical machine into its three major components, it will be easier and quicker to reassemble. 

• If you are not that patient, we recommend that you hire a professional to do the job for you. 

Now it is time for wrapping and packaging

After you disassembled the entire machine into smaller parts, store the screws, bolts, and nuts in plastic bags and labeled them. It’s time for the bigger parts. 

Here is what you need to do to prepare the parts for transfer: 

• Step 1: Arrange each main part or the part component. 

As we mentioned after dismantling the elliptical machine it should have 3 main parts: the handrails, the body, and the foot pedals. 

Organize each of these parts to be packed in a box. If you broke each part of them into smaller pieces, arrange each part pieces to be packed with each other. 

Alongside the screws, bags that we are already labeled. 

With adhesive tape, label each part of them. 

• Step 2: Secure each part with padding: 

In this step, you need to wrap each part in a layer of bubble wrap to protect the part. 

Afterward, we will add some extra protection by wrapping each component

In blankets to keep them protected during the relocation.

• Step 3: Secure each part and the box that will contain the parts with pressing tapes

After wrapping each component in a plastic bubble wrap to protect your machine, now it’s time to add pressing tape at each end of each piece to prevent it from opening up on the way. Add some layers of packaging tape to the boxes that contain each part to secure them while we transport them.

The elliptical machine is now ready for transfer. 

Important Note: 

Elliptical machines are heavy machines that are hard to pack or move on your own. To prevent any damage that may occur to your elliptical machine, we recommend you hire a moving truck service to help you with the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to break down an elliptical machine? 

Most elliptical machines can be broken down into smaller pieces in 2-3 hours depending on your pace and ease of disassembly. With high-skilled individuals, it can take even less time. 

How much does the elliptical weigh?

Elliptical weight differs from brand to brand, and even from one model in the same brand to another. On average, elliptical weight ranges anywhere between 100 and 150 pounds. 

The elliptical weight depends on some factors like the flywheel weight and its sizing dimensions.

Can I move an elliptical machine alone?

Elliptical machines are known as heavy-weighted exercise machines. An elliptical machine will be challenging to move by only one person. It requires two people and better more than two people to move it to prevent any parts damage. 

How much space is required to store an Elliptical?

To perform effectively, elliptical machines require a space of a minimum of 8 feet by 4 feet. Elliptical machines have a wide range of back-and-forth action; therefore, the foot pedals require a lot of space to move without collapsing. You would want to have free motion as often colliding with walls you will harm yourself, and the equipment may get damaged over time.

A ceiling height of 8-inches should be plenty to utilize the elliptical machine if you are 6 feet or less. If you are taller than 6 feet, you will need to calculate your ceiling height to how much the machine adds to your height. Ideally, allow a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of space between the ceiling and the top of the head when standing at the highest point of the elliptical motion.

To get on and off the machine without getting yourself hurt, add a minimum of 20 inches of space on each side of the elliptical.

The space of the elliptical depends on other factors. The model of the elliptical can determine the space you will need for your elliptical, e.g. compact ellipticals take way less space than regular ellipticals. 

The manufacturer sizing dimensions will determine the space your machine requires. Make sure to look it up if you haven’t purchased the machine yet. 

What is the best place to keep an elliptical?

It should be a clean, not very cold space that is sufficient to put the machine. The space should be enough for you to pedal back and forth and allow free motions. 

Your living room, home gym space, bedroom, or even your garage are all good places to place your elliptical machine. 

If you choose to keep your elliptical machine in the garage, and you live in a freezing temperature area, make sure to heat the garage during winter.

Final Thoughts

Elliptical trainers are expensive machines that come with sensitive components. Therefore, you need to take extra care when dismantling or transferring an elliptical machine to a new location or relocating it upstairs. 

As elliptical machines are complicated machines, you might want the assistance of a partner to aid you with the disassembly. 

If you were looking for guidance, I hope this post has adequately explained the processes, and you are now ready to disassemble and move your elliptical machine. Best of luck!