The History And Features Of Elliptical Machines

Elliptical machines are relatively new to the exercise machine scene, but they have surged in popularity as more and more people discover the benefits of elliptical workouts. Since they first appeared in the 1990 s elliptical exercise machines have been studied carefully for safety and fitness effectiveness, and found to be a great way to get a total body workout without the need for multiple fitness machines.

The First Elliptical Machines

The first elliptical machines to come on the market were quickly embraced by fitness enthusiasts all over. These early models worked the lower body quite thoroughly, but the upper body stayed stationary thanks to handlebars that did not move. Before too long, exercise buffs began asking for upper body action as well, and the manufacturers of elliptical exercise machines responded.

Now most elliptical trainers come with both lower body and upper body motion as a standard feature, with some offering handlebar motions and resistance that can help you get a truly intense upper body workout.

Basic Features

The basic features of elliptical machines include the drive system, the resistance system and the stride length. Let s take a look at each of these separately.

Drive system The two types of drive systems are front drive and rear drive. Front drive systems tend to be used on low-end elliptical exercise machines and can produce a motion that is somewhat rough and awkward. Rear drive systems are far superior, providing much smoother motion and greater user comfort. Rear drive can be found on elliptical trainers from the mid-range on up to the very high end of the market.

Resistance system There are three main types of resistance systems used on elliptical machines today. Low-end machines typically have a manual system that the user adjusts by hand, but some low-end and most mid-range machines use a motorized brake system. High-end machines use an eddy current brake system, which is extremely reliable and smooth.

Stride length The stride length on low-end elliptical exercise machines is typically set at the factory and is not adjustable by the user. Mid-range and high-end machines, however, typically offer an adjustable stride length