Star Trac elliptical machine Total Body Trainers

The Star Trac elliptical machine Total Body Trainers are a whole line of ellipticals for both home and gym use. Star Trac likes to call them Total Body Trainers rather than ellipticals. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Most cardiovascualr exercise machines work the legs, rather than all the muscle groups. That is true of the treadmill, the exercise bike, and the stair climber. The rowing machine, on the other hand, mainly works out the arms and shoulders. But an elliptical works out both lower and upper body. The upper body is worked with the use of rotating arms, that also help with balance when you are on them.

This is one of the reasons that an elliptical actually feels less strenuous than other exercise machines. Since you are spreading the work over more muscles, one muscle group doesn't get fatigued as quickly. Since it doesn't feel like you are doing as much work, you can actually feel like increasing your workout longer and getting more benefit.