Question

Hi! I live in the country, way too far away to join a gym. I already walk for some basic cardio but want to purchase an elliptical machine and have been looking at the Sole E25, and the Sole E35 — I'm really leaning towards the E35 though.

There are NO Dick's Sporting Goods stores in the states around me, so I cannot try out a Sole machine. I've heard that the Hilton Hotels use Sole Ellipticals  in their fitness rooms, but there aren't any of those nearby either.

My question is, since I'm only 5'-1" tall do you think I will be comfortable on the Sole E35 Elliptical? I hate to buy one without being able to try it out first and need your advice. What should I do?

Answer

I think the Sole E35 is definitely worth the money over the E25 with the upgraded wireless heart rate strap and heavier flywheel, so you're making a good decision on the model you selected –  and I understand your reservations about not being able to try an elliptical before trying it but I wouldn't worry about it too much about the stride length — here's why…

At 5'-1" you're on the short side of the height curve but I don't think you'll have any problems with the 20" stride length because the average stride length for a woman your height is (your height in feet x .413).

In other words the average stride length for a 5'-1" woman such as yourself is (5.083 feet tall x .413) = 2.09 feet (25.19 inches).

Keep in mind that your stride length calculation above is based on walking at a casual pace and will increase according to speed. In other words, at any speed you travel on an elliptical like the Sole E35 you should be comfortable at the 20" stride length.

Read my review of the Sole E35 Elliptical