The ElliptiGO Outdoor Elliptical Trainer is the world's first elliptical bicycle. Designed by runners as the ideal cross-training device, the ElliptiGO combines the best of running, cycling and the elliptical trainer to deliver a low-impact, high-performance workout outdoors – and is Ben Greenfield's top choice for becoming a better runner, rehabbing an injury, or getting the same workout as running without the impact. It delivers an exercise experience that is closer to running than anything else available today.
Although the ElliptiGO was designed in particular for cross-training and injured runners, many of the people who use it are not even runners. They are simply people who want a comfortable, fun, efficient, low-impact, and weight-bearing exercise that they can enjoy outdoors. The ElliptiGO delivers this in a way that no other device can. Elliptical biking has proven to be an effective way to build cardiovascular fitness without aggravating injuries, and a great alternative for people who can no longer run because of degenerative joint conditions.
So what's wrong with a conventional bicycle? There's nothing wrong with the bicycle! It's a great vehicle. ElliptiGO is not trying to re-create or change the bicycle. In fact, what they've created isn't actually a bicycle – it's a pedal-driven scooter. If it were at all easy to say “elliptical pedal-driven scooter” they'd probably call it that. But they've simply chosen the term “bicycle” out of convenience, but we're the first to admit that the ElliptiGO is not a bicycle. The goal is to re-create the feeling of running outdoors without subjecting you to the impact they'd get from pounding the pavement. As any runner will tell you, bicycles don't do that for a number of reasons.
First, the overall cycling experience is different from the running experience. Cyclists ride seated with their upper torso leaning forward so they can reach the handlebars. They tend to ride in packs and cover great distances. Runners exercise in a much more upright position and bear their own weight the entire time. They tend to exercise in smaller groups and for shorter periods. Secondly, the cycling propulsion motion is very different from the running motion. Cyclists pedal in a circle while runners take long elliptical strides. Finally, the culture is different. Runners tend to wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes. Cyclists often wear tight apparel with cleated shoes. Large recreational cycling events tend to be without a specified mass start time, include several long rest stops and can last an entire day. Recreational running events tend to include timing chips, run-through water stations, and are of much shorter duration. Cycling and running both have their good points and bad points, but we believe that they are significantly different, and the ElliptiGO is designed to deliver an experience that is much closer to running than to cycling.
People often ask how it's possible to ride on something like an ElliptiGO Outdoor Elliptical Trainer without a seat. Fortunately, it's easy to ride an elliptical cycle because it turns out that people are able to balance quite well when standing. Think about the last time you were riding a bike over some kind of obstacle – train tracks, potholes, speed bumps – the chances are you stood up on the pedals to improve your balance when crossing the obstacle. Basically, on the ElliptiGO you are in that same well-balanced position the entire time.
In addition, the need to rest on a seat while exercising is something of a myth. People run marathons without sitting; people hike for hours on end without sitting; and almost everyone finds themselves walking and standing for long periods of time fairly frequently. Just think about the last time you were at the mall, or Disneyland, or sightseeing. Riding an elliptical cycle is basically like walking, hiking, or running. You can comfortably do it for hours, and there is no difference in the amount of time you can ride the ElliptiGO versus how long you could walk, run, or ride a bike.
Is there another elliptical cycle on the market? We've never seen any. There are several different outdoor exercise vehicles that are propelled by different methods, but we've never seen any two-wheeled cycles designed to replicate outdoor running without the impact. There's a three-wheeled elliptical tricycle on the market, but again, it's quite different from the ElliptiGO – and if you're looking for an amazing workout and joint-impact free alternative to running, this is the ultimate option for you!