The StreetStrider is a mobile elliptical trainer invented by David W. Kraus, PhD,[1][2] former Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The StreetStrider consists of a T-shaped lower frame to which two front wheels and a rear wheel containing a drive assembly are attached, and an upright frame to which two reciprocating arm levers are attached. Two elongated foot platforms on either side of the lower frame are attached to cranks as part of the drive assembly, which, as with bicycle drivetrain systems, also includes a hub, a rotating axle, and an internal hub gear system translating the axle rotation to the hub. The StreetStrider drive assembly is either chained or chainless direct drive, depending on model. The lower end of each arm lever is attached to the front end of each foot platform, which, by connection in the rear to the rotating crank arm and in the front to the pivoting arm lever, moves generally in an elliptical path. The device also includes a leaning mechanism for steering, as well as brakes and multiple gearing.
The StreetStrider duplicates the motion of a stationary elliptical trainer in a mobile device. The rider achieves a full-body weight-bearing low-impact high-cardiovascular workout while moving outdoors.[3] With a branded trainer stand, adult StreetStrider models can be fashioned into stationary elliptical trainers, enabling indoor use during inclement weather. The StreetStrider can be used for physical fitness,[4][5][6] weight loss,[7] physical therapy, human-powered transport, and outdoor adventure.[8] In an American Council on Exercise (ACE) study, exercise physiologist John Porcari and his team at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found that the StreetStrider outperformed a stationary elliptical trainer in every measurement they made. This included heart rate, oxygen consumption rate, percent of VO2 max, calorie burn rate and rating of perceived exertion.[9][10]
The StreetStrider was reviewed briefly in the February 2013 issue of Consumer Reports with a focus on exercise equipment. Consumer Reports compared the StreetStrider to an elliptical bicycle called Elliptigo. Consumer Reports also provided copy and video for their study that was reported by a number of local news affiliates in January 2013.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
StreetStrider on TV
| Date | TV Show | Episode | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2009 | NBC's The Biggest Loser | Season 8 Second Chances | The StreetStrider was advertised in a 10 s tag.[18] |
| November 2010 | NBC's The Biggest Loser | Season 10 Week 11 | The contestants rode StreetStriders docked into trainer stands for 1 mile as the first part of an outdoor multi-exercise challenge.[19] |
| December 2010 | The Dr. Oz Show | Holiday Healthy Gadgets | The StreetStrider Eclipse, the model with a direct drive single speed hub and chainless transmission, was one of the major healthy gadgets on the Holiday show. In a brief video, Dr. Oz was seen riding the Eclipse on the streets of New York City. Dr. Oz claimed that StreetStriding is like running, cycling and skiing all in one.[20] |
| February 2011 | Discovery Channel’s PitchMen | Season 2 Episode 8 Fighting Shape | Inventor David Kraus and co-founder Garrett Watkins were interviewed about the invention and business of StreetStrider, featuring the direct drive model, the Eclipse.[21] |
| October 2012 | ABC’s Modern Family | Season 4 Episode 6 Yard Sale | Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), head of the Dunphy household, loves his StreetStrider, claiming it is ‘an extremely efficient cardiovascular workout that could prolong my life’! He recognizes the many health benefits of StreetStriding and wants to ‘get a little exercise’ by striding to his father-in-law’s house where Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) are holding a yard sale. Phil’s wife Claire (Julie Bowen) chides him about his StreetStrider, and later encourages Phil to ride a motorcycle because it is ‘more sexy’. The motorcycle did not work out well for Phil, and, in the end, he tells Claire, ‘I’m not a rider, I’m a strider!’[22][23] |
| December 2012 | NBC’s Take It All | Ep 106: Night 6 | In an early round of this game show hosted by Howie Mandel, contestant Scott choses a number from the screen which results in StreetStriders as his prize. Contestant Amber then takes the StreetStrider prize from Scott. Scott is pleased that he must choose another prize, but he is eliminated because this second prize is the lowest priced. Because the StreetStrider prize is among the top priced items, Amber is allowed to stay in the game. She makes it to the final Prize Fight Round.[24][25] |
| January 2013 | NBC’s Today (U.S. TV program) | January 8 Fourth Hour | In a great way to start their exercise show, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb power walk to two StreetStriders, then ride them on the plaza! Hoda rides a little further, getting a little winded.[26][27] |
| January 2013 | NBCUniversal's Steve Harvey (TV Series) | January 14 Steve the Tester | Steve Harvey tries the StreetStrider on the Steve the Tester segment of his show. His audience decides 'Use It'![28] |
| January 2013 | Deportes Telemundo's Ritmo Deportivo | January 20 Tecnologia | Leti Coo learns about the StreetStrider from StreetStrider professionals Maggie and Matthew, then tries the StreetStrider on the beach bike paths of LA.[29] |
| January 2013 | NBC’s Today (U.S. TV program) | January 24 Today's Consumer | Fitness equipment featured in infomercials appear to be easy-to-use and efficient, but do they really do all they claim? TODAY consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman put a few products to the test to find out which are worth the money. [30] |
| February 2013 | ABC’s Good Morning America | February 28 Sam Champion, Josh Elliott's L.A. 'Bromance' Outtakes | Producer Rich McHugh presents the two outtake segments of his piece Sam Champion, Josh Elliott's L.A. 'Bromance', the second one being Sam Champion and Josh Elliott on StreetStriders, with Venice, Los Angeles-based Coach Nika Solomon. The GMA hosts say that they really enjoyed the StreetStrider. [31] |
References
- ^ David W. Kraus, PhD
- ^ UAB Reporter, Kraus Takes Indoor Exercise Machine to Road, 19 March 2009
- ^ Wallack, Roy M., Going Beyond the Basic Bike, LA Times, 30 November 2009
- ^ Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, The StreetStrider on Chronicle Live, March 2011
- ^ CBS Austin Live, Austin Gets Fit with the StreetStrider, March 2011
- ^ WOAI San Antonio Living, A New Way to Workout, April 2011
- ^ Wallack, Roy M., Obesity and Exercise: Larry Brooks Takes Strides Towards Health, LA Times, 11 April 2011
- ^ StreetStrider website
- ^ Jordan Becker, M.S., John P. Porcari, Ph.D., Carl Foster, Ph.D., and Scott Doberstein, M.S., with Mark Anders, An Elliptical Cross-Trainer on Three Wheels?, ACE Certified News, July 2011
- ^ PRNewswire, American Council on Exercise Study Finds StreetStrider™ Elliptical Cross Trainer Provides Effective Cardio Workout, 11 July 2011
- ^ CBS KDKA Pittsburgh, Consumer Reports Puts Exercise Equipment to the Test, 2 January 2013
- ^ ABC KGO-TV San Francisco, 7OYS, Consumer Reports tests elliptical cycles, 3 January 2013
- ^ NBCDFW Dallas Fort Worth, Consumer Reports: Unusual Elliptical Cycles, 4 January 2013
- ^ NBC 9News Denver, Consumer Reports: Quite unusual elliptical cycles, 5 January 2013
- ^ ABC KFSN-TV Fresno, Quite unusual elliptical cycles, 7 January 2013
- ^ WRAL.com Raleigh Durham Fayetteville, Odd-looking elliptical bikes are fun, but costly, 8 January 2013
- ^ NBC 6 South Florida, Unusual Elliptical Cycles, 21 January 2013
- ^ PRWEB, StreetStrider to be Featured on NBC's "The Biggest Loser", 30 October 2009
- ^ CalorieLab, Recap Biggest Loser Season 10 Week 11: Competing for the Final Four
- ^ Healthy Body Daily, Dr. Oz StreetStrider Eclipse, 13 December 2010
- ^ As Seen on TV Life, Discovery Channel's Pitchmen, Season 2, Episode 8 Fighting Shape, 21 February 2011
- ^ Yahoo, Modern Family 4.06 recap, review: 'Yard Sale' is totally priceless, 1 November 2012
- ^ Online PR News, StreetStrider Featured on ABC's Modern Family, 6 November 2012
- ^ NBC's Take It All, Take It All Sponsors, 17 December 2012
- ^ VibenonFilms YouTube, Take It All (Amber - StreetStrider), 22 December 2012
- ^ NBC's Today Show, Fourth Hour gets fit! KLG and Hoda are burning calories on Exercise Day, 8 January 2013
- ^ Endurance Sportswire, Today Show Highlights StreetStrider, 8 January 2013
- ^ The Steve Harvey Show, Steve the Tester, 14 January 2013
- ^ Deportes Telemundo Ritmo Deportivo, StreetStrider, 20 January 2013
- ^ NBC's Today Show, As-seen-on-TV fitness: Does it really work?, 24 January 2013
- ^ ABC's Good Morning America, Sam Champion, Josh Elliott's L.A. 'Bromance' Outtakes, 28 February 2013