How to move an elliptical safely and efficiently

Learning how to move an elliptical machine or bike is easier than you think! With the right tools, enough helping hands, and the tips in this guide, you can go about moving your elliptical bike to your basement, bedroom, or new home. 

Keep reading to see how you can successfully move your 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 elliptical 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 a lorry - 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 your move

Before you jump right into all the heavy lifting and pushing, walk through the route from 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 27 to 204 kilograms (60 to 450 pounds), depending on whether they’re lightweight or heavy-duty. Compact ellipticals, as the name implies, are lighter, weighing 9 to 45 kilos (20 to 100 lbs). 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, and 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 

When moving your elliptical from one location to another, use a furniture dolly as much as possible: 

• Once you’ve packed up the machine, centre 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! 

Make moving your elliptical machine easier when you hire a Tasker

Doing the disassembly, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and reassembly (whew!) all by yourself can be fulfilling. But let’s face it - not everyone has the time or energy to do so. The good thing is you can hire expert fitness equipment removalists to take on the work while you tend to other moving-related tasks. 

Need help with more than just ellipticals or treadmills, and your set of kettlebells? You can also book appliance removal services to take charge of securing, loading, and unloading your fridge, TV, and more.