Weslo is a fitness equipment brand made by Icon Health and Fitness, which also produces other popular brands such as ProForm, NordicTrack and FreeMotion. Weslo ellipticals are budget-friendly machines with basic features. The console provides feedback about your workout, including distance measurements. Unlike a treadmill, the distance measurement is not completely straightforward.
Revolutions
Elliptical trainers are named for the pedal motion of the machine. The pedals move in an elliptical pattern. Each foot travels in an arc up and around. You do not lift your feet off the pedals as you do on a treadmill so there is very little joint impact. The distance measurement displayed on a Weslo elliptical machine is the number of revolutions. A revolution equals two steps -- your left foot steps forward, and as it comes back to its original position, your right foot comes forward.
Track
A Weslo elliptical machine also offers a visual means of measuring your distance in miles or meters. A circular track displays on the bottom of the information console. The track represents 1/4-mile or 400 meters. As you work out, segments of the track light up, showing your approximate distance. The entire track lights up once you get all the way around. The lights then disappear and the sequence starts over.
Calculations
Weslo does not publish the equation it uses to convert revolutions to miles. According to an article in the "Seattle Times," the distance on a treadmill is fairly accurate since it is just a measure of how many times the belt revolves around the deck. However, each equipment manufacturer develops a distance formula for its elliptical machines and stationary bikes. The formula takes into account factors including the stride length and the size of the fly-wheel.
Considerations
A Weslo elliptical machine uses a formula created by the manufacturer to convert pedal revolutions to miles or meters. This formula may produce a distance estimate, but it isn't exact. However, if you consistently use the same Weslo elliptical, you can track whether you've increased your distance at each workout, regardless what the number is.
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