Patent ID: 7344480

Claim:
A method of facilitating elliptical motion exercise, comprising the steps of: providing a frame adapted to rest upon a floor surface; mounting left and right linkage assemblies on the frame, wherein each of the linkage assemblies includes at least (a) a rotating member rotatably mounted on a first frame portion, (b) a guide mounted on a second frame portion, and (c) a connector link movably interconnected between the rotating member and the guide in a manner that links rotation of the rotating member to movement of a connection point on the linkage assembly through a generally elliptical path; providing a rigid left foot link and a rigid right foot link; connecting a first end of the left foot link to a respective said connection point; connecting a first end of the right foot link to a respective said connection point; mounting a left foot support on an opposite, second end of the left foot link; mounting a right foot support on an opposite, second end of the right foot link; constraining an intermediate portion of the left foot link to move through a reciprocal path relative to the frame; and constraining an intermediate portion of the right foot link to move through a reciprocal path relative to the frame.