Firstly, stride length is important because it determines your feeling while you workout. For instance, strides that are longer will make you feel as though you're leaping. Moreover, it's a preferred setting for taller people. It feels more like a glide, thus being more comfortable for people with longer legs. On the other hand, shorter strides will make you feel as though your climbing stairs. In other words, it will feel choppy like a stair climber. Note that the stride length on an elliptical can be fixed or variable. Selecting the setting that best fits your needs is of utmost importance. This is due to the fact that stride length determines how your workout will feel. Generally, it's recommended to opt for an elliptical that offers a minimum stride length of 18 inches. Also, if you're planning to purchase a front-drive machine, then you need to select one with a 20" stride length. This is because it will be comparable to an 18" stride length on a rear-drive elliptical.