What is the ElliptiGO?

At its core, the ElliptiGO is a fitness device that emulates running outdoors without the associated impact. It was designed by runners to be the ideal low-impact substitute for running. We believe it is the ideal cross-training device for healthy runners and the best replacement for running for injured runners. It delivers an exercise experience that is closer to running than anything else available today.

Who is the ElliptiGO for?

The ElliptiGO has some unique characteristics that make it a great solution for a wide variety of people. Obviously, running is near and dear to our hearts, and the ElliptiGO was designed in particular for cross-training and injured runners. However, most of our customers are not runners. They are people who want a comfortable, fun, efficient, low-impact, and weight-bearing exercise that they can enjoy outdoors. The ElliptiGO delivers on each of these conditions in a way that no other device can. As a result, our customers range from elite athletes to recreational fitness enthusiasts just looking to get fit. It's a customizable experience, enabling you to challenge yourself as much or as little as you�d like.

What's wrong with the conventional bicycle?

There's nothing wrong with the bicycle. It's a great vehicle. In fact, every member of our company has spent a lot of time on a bicycle. The two founders are former Ironman triathletes (a race that includes a 112-mile bicycling portion) and our employees include former professional road and track bike racers and competitive triathletes. We are not trying to recreate or change the bicycle - far from it. In fact, what we'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" we'd call it that. We've simply chosen the term "cycle" out of convenience, but we're the first to admit that the ElliptiGO is not a bicycle. The ElliptiGO is an exercise device made for runners, by runners. Our goal is to re-create running outdoors without the impact. As any runner will tell you, bicycles don't do that for a number of reasons.

First of all, 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.

How can you ride without a seat?

People often ask us how it's possible to ride 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 - chances are you stood up on the pedals to improve your balance when crossing the obstacle. Basically, the ElliptiGO rider is in that 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 as you'll see on the "Epic Rides" pages, we've tested our theory and found that there is no substantive difference in the amount of time we can ride the ElliptiGO versus how long we could walk, run, or ride a bike.

Is there another elliptical cycle on the market?

We haven't seen any other elliptical cycles out there yet, or anything else that is designed to truly emulate running outdoors without the impact .

What else is there to learn about the ElliptiGO?

A lot. Check out the information we have posted here on our website. If you are interested in testing out an ElliptiGO, please schedule a demo or sign up for a test ride . If you have any questions check our FAQ page or feel free to email us at: info@elliptigo.com .