Elliptical Exercise Machines - Is Front Or Rear Drive Better?
High-end elliptical exercise machines have traditionally been rear drive, and that was thought to be the best. But recently, more manufacturers have been offering front drive machines. So is one actually better than the other?
A rear drive elliptical tends to feel more natural, similar to walking, while a front drive often feels similar to a stair-stepper. For this reason, most front drive ellipticals have articulating foot pedals, which help keep you feet aligned with the motion and reduces muscle and joint strain. Many people report that they feel more centered on a rear drive elliptical because the motion allows them to hold themselves upright, just like when they are jogging. With front drive machines, people tend to lean forward and rely more on their arms for support.
Regardless of the slight difference, both styles of machine will give you a good workout. Some people maintain that rear drives are a better workout, but it depends on your personal exercise style. You can get just as good a workout on either machine... one is not better or worse than the other.
When you're buying an elliptical, the overall quality of the machine is more important than whether it is front or rear drive. Rear drives do tend to have fewer moving parts to wear out, but other than that you just need to try them out and see which feels more comfortable for you. You want a comfortable stride length, and to be sure that there is a comfortable distance between the pedals and the handlebars, so you have a free range of motion in your upper body when you work out. You also want to be sure that the motion feels stable, not wobbly. Front drive ellipticals that have dual wheel rollers will usually feel more stable than single wheel rollers.
Regardless of what sales people may tell you, there is no quality reason for having front and rear drive styles of elliptical. The only reason both exist is because of patents. When Precor released their elliptical, it was a rear drive, and they had a patent on it. This meant that other manufacturers had to come up with ways to work around this patent, so they were not infringing upon it. Making a front drive elliptical was one easy way to get around this, and enter the market. Other companies did find ways to make changes to Precor's design, and get around the patent with a rear drive machine.
So when you're looking at elliptical exercise machines, don't worry so much about front vs rear drive. Just choose a quality model that works with your workout style, and with your budget.
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