Patent ID: 8029417

Claim:
A method of using a cardiovascular exercise machine, comprising: supplying the cardiovascular exercise machine to a user, wherein said machine comprises: a stationary frame; a plurality of rails movably connected to said frame and also connected to a crankshaft such that said rails traverse a path in conjunction with said crankshaft's rotation relative to said frame; a plurality of exercise arms connected to said frame that reciprocates as said crankshaft rotates; a plurality of footskates capable of reciprocating movement on said rails; a plurality of stationary loadbearing platforms, each platform adapted to support one of said user's feet, with said platforms functionally separated from said crankshaft but rigidly connected to said frame at an operative distance and angle from said exercise arm and sized and shaped to support said user while said user operates said exercise arm; and a handlebar fixedly connected to said frame at an operative distance and angle from said footskates and separated from said crankshaft; providing a first position wherein said user stands on said platforms and moves said exercise arms; providing a second position wherein said user stands on said footskates and moves said footskates and said exercise arms simultaneously; providing a third position wherein said user stands on said footskates and grasps said handlebar and moves said footskates without moving said exercise arms; having said user move among said first position, said second position, and said third position; and altering a resistance associated with said user's use of said footskates and said exercise arms so that different resistance is provided when: said user is in said first position, than when said user is in said second position, than when said user is in said third position.