Part stair climber, part treadmill, part stationary cycle, the elliptical motion trainer is a hot new aerobic machine that offers a demanding workout without being tough on your joints.

cardio
flexibility
strength
weight loss
injury potential
schedule flexibility
ratings key and credits

the workout
Your legs can move forward and backward in an elongated circular movement, and on some models you simultaneously pump poles back and forth for an upper-body workout.

upside
Elliptical trainers provide non-impact exercise, which is a nice break from the pounding of other aerobic activities.

downside
The calorie counters on most cardio machines exaggerate your effort and poorly designed models will make you feel as if you’re stumbling down hill on your tiptoes.

the pros say

• Experiment with a combination of speed, incline and resistance level to find the proper workout intensity.
• Avoid pedalling backwards as it greatly increases the risk of knee injury.
• Use the machine’s calorie counter as a guideline rather than gospel.

requirements
Gear: an elliptical trainer and a good pair of running, walking, aerobic or cross-training shoes.
Instruction/Facilities: you’ll probably prefer using a high-quality gym model as opposed to the cheaply made, poorly designed home ones.
Time: 20-60 minutes, 3-6 times a week.