Ans: Rear drive means that the flywheel, or drive system, is located in the back of the trainer, behind the user. Rear-drive elliptical trainers are found in more expensive elliptical trainers, especially those in clubs or gyms. Front-drive ellipticals, also known as shuffle trainers, provide a motion that is similar to the old Stairmasters and feature a stepping motion. Front-drive ellipticals tend to give you more of a slope to your running pathway. Front-drive ellipticals tend to give you more of a slope to your running pathway. It's more of a slight climbing or stair-stepping motion. Rear-drive trainers tend to give you less of a slope. So, you get more of a flat running plane.