One of the developments in the entire fitness equipment world was the elliptical machine, and a lot came out of this. There was a time in the '90s and early 2000s where elliptical machines actually outsold treadmills and any other category. And while this changed back over time, there was a brand called Cctane Fitness that specialised in elliptical machines and they make not only standing elliptical machines. But they also make lateral elliptical machines and they also came up within a recumbent elliptical machine.
And that's we're going to focus on here. Because when octane got purchased by True Fitness, not as much focus was put on this machine. But it is by far the most effective of any of the recumbent style machines, with studies by St. Cloud University showing it burning a LOT more calories. And while a few people have tried to copy it, the patenting makes other units much rougher to try to do a similar thing, with not as good ergonomics.
This X-ride, as it is called, utilises an elliptical motion that runs parallel with the stroke of the user compared to the seat back. So the ellipse is at an angle. This gives it a lower knee angle than a traditional circular biking motion, and means that the knee is more supported by the tibia.
Like a regular elliptical machine, however, it has the upper and lower body working together, and has programs that use only the upper body, only the lower body, or a mix of both of these with traditional motion. They have special arm blaster workouts that will actually give a decent upper body workout, because you are pushing and pulling. Therefore, activating muscles in the bike and bicep as well as the chest and tricep and shoulder.
It also has a large foot pad, compared to the normal small half-pad of a recumbent bike. This allows a user to really drive down against the heel and doesn't promote so much dorsiflexion in the foot. There is also an option for a strap across the foot pedal that allows for a pulling motion as well as a pushing motion, so you can utilise a little bit more muscles in the hamstring and the hip flexor.
On the commercial level of the machine, it also has a swivel seat that allows for it's an easy access. The seat address closer and further away from the pedals, but you can also adjust the seat back angle as well.
So if somebody's looking for a recumbent option of workout, this hybrid modality is very comfortable, but is also a far better workout than any traditional recumbent bike.
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