Are Outdoor Elliptical Bikes Effective?

I am a big fan of cycling because it's fun, a quick way to get around town, and a great workout. But I also know that when I cycle, I spend a lot of time in a seated position. This can shorten my hip flexors, and create pain and stiffness in my neck, shoulders, and back. If only there was a way to solve these issues without taking me off the road.

Maybe there is. 

About 10 years ago, a friend of mine told me about this funky bike-like device he had purchased called an ElliptiGO. He described it as “the love child of a bicycle and an elliptical trainer.” A few weeks later, he showed up to meet me riding it and, yep, that's exactly what it looks like. It has handlebars and wheels like a bike but instead of pedals, it has those big foot pads like an elliptical machine at the gym.

And the real differentiator is that it doesn’t have a seat. 

Outdoor elliptical bikes seem to be gaining popularity. I've started to see these contraptions on the streets around my neighborhood and I have even seen 4x Obstacle Racing World Champion and Ultrarunner Amelia Boone posting about hers on Twitter.

So, I thought it is about time I took a closer look.

Are outdoor elliptical machines effective?

In one of my previous articles called “The Benefits of Using an Elliptical Trainer,” I mentioned a study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. This study compared the use of a plain old bike with an elliptical trainer during what is called a Wingate test. This test is a 30-second, all-out, maximum effort that measures the power output from an athlete. In this version of the test, the researchers had volunteers ride both a bike and then an elliptical while they measured energy outputs from the three major energy systems of the body: oxidative, phosphorolytic, and glycolytic energy systems. They then compared the oxygen consumption and peak blood lactate levels.

The researchers concluded that due to the increased arm use, core activation, the use of more leg musculature, and the standing position the user is put in (remember, there is no seat), the elliptical trainer was able to get the volunteers to reach an exhausted state much more quickly than a regular bike.

If you are looking for a cardiovascular exercise that will maximize your effort, choosing a machine that gets your arms, your core, and your legs moving is important.

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