One of the biggest advantages to the elliptical is its smooth, continuous motion. It enables even those with bad knees or ankles to exercise. When your elliptical machine is not stable, however, this fluid and rhythmic movement can become wobbly and unbalanced. Rather than take a sledgehammer to it, you can try a few corrective options to restore your elliptical's balance.
Some ellipticals are not designed as well as others, and you may have one that does not have a wide enough base or enough sheer weight to be properly stabilized.
Step 1
Place the elliptical on a solid, even floor. A floor made of rigid material, such as hardwood or concrete, is ideal, although older hardwood floors can have divots and warps that can imbalance the machine.
Step 2
Test the machine's stability by rocking it from side to side. This will help you determine which part of the elliptical is not resting flush on the floor. Most ellipticals have four adjustable feet, with each leveler adjusted by a screw, wingnut or other apparatus. Adjust the screw until all four feet are level, then lock them back into place by tightening the screw. Try rocking the machine again to see if it is still unstable.
Step 3
Check to see if all the machine's frame bolts are sufficiently tightened. These bolts can become loose over time, or due to an incomplete initial assembly, particularly in the elliptical's support base.
Step 4
Bolt the machine to the floor. Some professional, gym-grade elliptical machines are designed to be bolted into the floor for maximum support. If you've somehow managed to maneuver one of these machines into your home gym, you may need to secure it to your floor.
Step 5
Place a large piece of plywood under the machine to provide a flat, stable surface. You can cover the plywood under a vinyl gridmat or treadmat to hide the wood and provide a tough, gripping surface for the elliptical to lay flat on.
Warnings
References
Warnings
- Some ellipticals are not designed as well as others, and you may have one that does not have a wide enough base or enough sheer weight to be properly stabilized.
Writer Bio
Todd Maternowski began writing in 1996 as one of the co-founders of "The Chicago Criterion." He joined the local online news revolutionaries at Pegasus News in 2006, where he continues to work to this day. He studied religion at the University of Chicago.