I purchased an under-the-desk elliptical machine and love it. It has a convenient remote control and different speeds, but it doesn't give me the level of exercise I hoped for. It also doesn't stay in place, and the return period has lapsed.
This Tony Little elliptical machine is truly low impact. It mimics the motion of skiing without risking life and limb, speaking of which I tore the ACL in my left knee in a bad skiing accident and was on crutches for eight months rather than having surgery. Although much improved, my doctor thinks I developed arthritis in my knee from the scar tissue and suggested I take up walking.
To add insult to injury (no pun intended), I also have slight residual neuropathy in both legs after chemotherapy treatments from cancer eight years ago, although it, too, is much improved (thankfully, no sign of recurrence).
What I needed was this Tony Little Gazelle machine, and I remember that my mother had one when I was growing up.
A friend assembled it a few days ago, which took 45 minutes to an hour. It is very sturdy, but I asked him to remove the black rounded caps on each end of the horizontal bar at about waist level because although my hands are small to medium in size, I felt a tiny pinch when they were too close to those caps (they seem decorative more than anything else).
Once the machine was assembled, I was apprehensive about stepping up on the foot pedals. They are only HALF the height up of a standard stair step and would not be a challenge to most people, but I was concerned about putting pressure on my bad knee. My concern was short-lived after figuring out the best way to get up and down from the pedals while also not risking injury due to the pedals not being stationery. This is what I did:
First, while holding onto the horizontal support bar (not the raised arms), I step up on the right foot pedal with my stronger leg. Second, while still holding on tight to the horizontal bar, I step up with my other (bad) leg. Once I feel stable, I grap onto the arms and start moving. IT IS SO MUCH FUN!!
I have used it three days in a row, and it is no struggle at all, nor did I have any adverse effect on my bad knee or somewhat weak legs. It is such great exercise for the legs/thighs, butt, and arms and folds up with little effort.
NOTE: If you have any weakness in your legs, like i do, it is very important to hold onto a stable portion of the machine BEFORE stepping up and/or down, and as mentioned, I find the horizontal bar in front to be the best for that.
If you are looking for a low-impact exerciser that you will enjoy using and that will not just gather dust, I highly recommend this Tony Little Gazelle.
| Model Name | Pacer |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gazelle |
| Color | Gray |
| Product Dimensions | 43"D x 28"W x 53.75"H |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 250 Pounds |
| Maximum Stride Length | 18 Inches |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 53.9 x 18.3 x 4.7 inches |
| Package Weight | 39 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 43 x 28 x 53.75 inches |
| Brand Name | Gazelle |
| Warranty Description | 1-year |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Gazelle |
| Style | Pacer |
| Included Components | Glider |
