Rear Drive Elliptical Trainers vs Front Drive

There is considerable controversy over which elliptical trainer is the best, rear or front drive. In the past the consensus was rear drive was superior, since you usually found them in the more expensive elliptical trainers like Precor and Life Fitness. But lately some premium manufacturers, like Vision Fitness and Octane, are building front drive ellipticals.

At the other end of the scale you have a number of budget models that are now designed with rear drives. ProForm has a rear drive model that goes for $250. So which is better? It really comes down to the feel of the machine and what you find most comfortable. Also the stride length is an important factor.

Why are there two styles? When Precor first came out with the elliptical they pretty much controlled the patent of the rear drive. The only alternative was to build a completely different design that did not infringe on the patent, thus came front drive. Several companies like Kettler found ways to work around the patent and built ellipticals with rear drive.

It should be noted that the rear drive can have more of a motion like jogging or walking. While a front drive may seem like working out on a stair climber without the the abrupt reverse motion. And that due to the nature of the motion of front drive it is recommended that you purchase a model that has articulating foot pedals. This helps to keep your feet aligned with the motion, and reduces strain.

In general, you tend to be centered on rear wheel drive ellipticals, while on front drive machines you have a tendency of leaning forward.

Some suggest that you get a better workout front rear drive machines, but once again it is a matter of preference. When you crank up the resistance of a front drive machine you can get you heart pounding to a level equivalent to the rear drive machines. Avoid cheap machines that have front drive and no articulating foot pedals.

I have tested both front and rear. Ellipticals like the rear drive Precor with the adjustable incline can't be beat. On the other hand, I recently tested the front drive Sole E55 with a 20". This machine had a very solid feel with a smooth elliptical motion. At half the price of a Precor, this front drive elliptical is worth considering.

The Mechanics of Rear and Front Drive Ellipticals

One of the advantages of rear drive ellipticals is you have less moving parts. Consequently, you have less parts that may require service.

For example, most front drive ellipticals have foot pedals that run on rails in the rear, often the rollers will wear out with constant use. This is especially the case with front drive machines with single wheel rollers. You may often find that the single rollers are less stable. Front drive ellipticals like Sole, come with dual wheel rollers, which provide a more solid and stable feel.

Also another consideration when selecting an elliptical trainer, whether it be front or rear drive, is the relative location of the pedals and the upper handlebars. You'll find some cheap models have a very close proximity between the two, where the handlebars appear to sit right on top of the pedals. The upper body motion can be very restrictive when working out. Example would be some of the cheaper Proform models.

More Important is the Overall Quality of the Elliptical

More important than the drive is the quality of the machine. There is no comparing a rear drive ProForm to a front drive Vision Fitness. The ProForm is like a toy in comparison to the Vision Fitness machines. Before you buy, go to a local health club or your local fitness equipment retailer and try to different designs. Realize when testing a machine the quality and overall reputation of the elliptical is very important.

In conclusion, it all comes down to preference, the quality of the elliptical trainer, and what is the best value within your budget.

Recommendations:

Rear Drive Ellipticals

Budget - Nordictrack

Mid-Priced - Smooth

Premium - Precor

Front Drive Ellipticals

Budget - Schwinn

Mid-Priced - Sole Fitness

Premium - Vision Fitness