Stamina InMotion Compact Strider Review

May 3, 2023

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Stamina InMotion Compact Strider

Overview

Reviewed By

Office Fitness Ninjas

Review Summary

The Stamina InMotion Compact Strider strides onto the desk elliptical stage as a budget option with sit/stand functionality. But like its sister product, the Stamina InMotion Elliptical Trainer, its low price augurs troubling issues with durability.

MSRP / List Price $249.99
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Shipping

Free with Amazon Prime

Warranty

1 year frame, 90 days parts

Colors Available

Black

Weight Capacity

250 lbs

Dimensions

24″ L x 18″ W x 12″ H

Connectivity Features

Electronic monitor

Product Weight

24 lbs

Where to buy Buy on Amazon

Rating

Stability
2.0
Safety
3.0
Reliability
2.0
Customer Experience
3.0
Quality and Aesthetics
2.5
Ergonomics
3.0
Innovation
3.0
Value
2.5
Positives This inexpensive unit has a built-in handle for easy transport.
Negatives Consistent user reviews report squeaking noises after a couple of months of use, and pedaling becomes less fluid over time. A design flaw has lead to the left pedal falling off. Unstable overall when using it while standing, which in general is not a very good idea if you're trying to type and pedal at the same time. This unit's short stride is more like stair climbing than a full elliptical motion.

Bottom Line

2.5
The only difference in manufacturing between this model and its sister, the Stamina InMotion Elliptical Trainer, is cosmetics. A handle on top helps with portability, but the same fundamental design issues persist. If you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting desk elliptical unit, there are others on the market.

Review

Compact Strider or Desk Elliptical—Which Is It?

Stamina InMotion Compact Strider With Cords
The InMotion Compact Strider is also sold with upper body workout cords

Long story short, the Stamina Compact Strider is a kind of desk elliptical. It is a sister (or more like a fraternal twin) to the Stamina InMotion Elliptical Trainer. Since we already published our Elliptical Trainer review, we won’t spend too much time looking at the Compact Strider, as their differences are entirely cosmetic. But, just like the elliptical model, we are fundamentally concerned with the Compact Strider’s durability issues.

This is because in all essentials, the two products are the same. According to the manufacturer, the “stride” and “tension” are identical, meaning the stride motion and the mechanism for adding tension are the same manufactured parts. Stride and tension are two of the most important aspects of any under desk elliptical machine. They largely determine the user experience. So, complaints about its twin, the Elliptical Trainer, which disparage it for its poor durability (e.g., pedals falling off, squeaking noises, jerky motion) and abnormally short strides, are valid for the Compact Strider as well. In fact, we can call them both desk ellipticals.

Portable Elliptical Stepper
The InMovement Integrate Desk Pedals with Portable Elliptical Stepper appears to be an identical product, albeit priced much higher

However, we have a hunch that the name change from Elliptical to Strider may have something to do with describing the stride motion more accurately. The strides are so short, they don’t resemble an elliptical at the gym very closely. Contrast this with the FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical, which uses the same full shuffle motion you’ll find on gym ellipticals.

But to its credit, the InMotion Compact Strider does improve upon the Elliptical Trainer by offering a handle for easier transport.

The Takeaway

If you’re in the market for an under desk elliptical unit, or a desk cycle (a circular bike pedal motion), check out our comparison review where we boil down your options to the best available. Also be sure to check out our primer on How to Set Up an Ergonomically Proper Desk Cycle to avoid common pitfalls, like hitting your knees on the bottom of your desk.

As far as the InMotion Compact Strider is concerned, we point to the same issues we have with the Elliptical Trainer model. Serious durability problems make this a product to generally avoid.

Epilogue

the ultimate office fitness workstationFor kicks, our review staff created what we imagine is the world’s first sit-stand-walk-pedal workstation. Check out the blog article on our Quad-Modal Office Fitness DreamStation. We integrated a Cubii with an iMovR Everest Dual-Tray desk, an iMovR ThermoTread GT office treadmill, a Tempo TreadTop Office Chair, and an EcoLast TreadTop Anti-Fatigue Mat to optimize movement during the workday.

Compare

See our comprehensive Comparison Review of Desk Cycles and Bike Desks

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2 Comments

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  • Andrea Anzalone January 16, 2020

    I really enjoyed using the stamina inmotion strider while sitting at my desk working everyday. I DO NOT enjoy the TERRIBLE HORRIBLE squeaking noise it makes. it is loud and so annoying that i just sit with my feet on it. i have only had it for a weeks and i’m ready to throw it in the river. I really wish i could get it to stop squeaking because i do like using it.

  • Todd Weitzman January 2, 2018

    Having a tough time deciding between this guy and the Cubii. Both offer some unique ways to get fit!

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