Designer's Insight: Elliptical Machines Benefits, Constraints & Breakthroughs
Kinetics of Elliptical Machines
The core advantage of elliptical machines is low-impact, but what does that mean?
Constraints of Traditional Ellipticals
However, traditional elliptical machines come with some inherent constrains that limit their applications.
Why traditional ellipticals are confined to horizontal?
Mechanically, an elliptical machine is a planar four-bar linkage device. Its flywheel acts as the crank and the pedal acts as the coupler.
Pedal Moves on a Horizontal Elliptical Trajectory
The petal directly rotates the flywheel.
The structure that its pedal bar directly drives the large flywheel makes it not practical to be designed to move on vertical eliptical the to make it a vertical elliptical, the pedal would have to sit above the large flywheel, and the user would have to do the pedalling high above the floor, obviously not practical. Therefore, horizontal elliptical has been the default for traditional elliptical machines.
This confined geometry creates inherent biomechanical limitations.
Navymov adding a 2-stage transmission drivetrain to the traditional four-bar linkage system, creating the LB007 vertical elliptical that makes a game changer for optimized kinetics and refined biomechanics.
Two-Stage Transmission Drivetrain
Traditional elliptical machines essentially planar four-bar linkage devices. Their flywheels rotate at low speed, at the rate of of pedal stroke. Therefore, they need a large and heavy flywheel to retain the needed Rotational Kinetic Energy (Ek).
Other than using large and heavy flywheel, there is another method to acheive the needed Rotational Kinetic Energy storage — increasing the rotation velocity of the flywheel. A transmision system can be employed for this method.
Navymov adopts a 2-Stage Transmission drivetrain with 1:16 transmission ratio to give a light and small flywheel (2.5kg | ⌀24cm) a high velocity and retain the needed Rotational Kinetic Energy to maintain a smooth, low impact resistance, creating an innovative elliptical machine model LB007.
Flywheel & Velocity Comparision
A traditional elliptical machines does not have a transmission device, Mechanically, it is a four-bar linkage device. Its two pedals directly attach to and rotate its large flywheel. Therefore the flywheel velocity equals the rate of pedal stroke.
The LB007 adds a 2-stage transimission drivetrain to its four-bar linkage. Its two pedals attach and rotate two crank bars/wheels, then through the 2-stage transmission drivetrain, transfer the rotation to its small flywheel, with the velocity multiplied 16 times. (1:16 Ratio)
| Model | Drivetrain | Flywheel | Flywheel Velocity |
| Traditional Ellipticals | Four-Bar Linkage (no transmission) | 10-20kg ⌀40‑50cm | Rate of Pedal Stroke |
| LB007 | Four-Bar Linkage + 2‑Stage Transmission | 2.5kg ⌀24cm | 16 x Rate of Padal Stroke |
Navymov Velocity Flywheel 2.5kg Technics
Rotational Kinetic Energy Comparison
Comparing a typical traditional ellipical machine with the LB007.
Assuming the traditional elliptical machine has a flywheel diamenter 20inches and weight 30lb, and the user's pedal stroke rate 1 cycle per second.
| Model | Transmission | Velocity (ω) | Kinetic Energy |
| Traditional Ellipticals | 1:1 | 100.5 rad/s | 8.7 Joules |
| LB007 | 1:16 | 6/3 rad/s | 91.0 Joules |
High kinetic energy does not mean that the machne will feel too hard to push. It actaully means incredible smoothness:
High kinetic energy means that once the user gets the machine moving, it wants to stay moving. It fills in the "dead zones" of the human stride (the top and bottom of the foot stroke where you naturally exert less force). This creates a premium, ultra-fluid, glide-like feeling that a 1:1 direct drive machine simply cannot match.
Traditional ellipticals feature a flat, horizontal trajectory designed primarily for low-resistance cardio, requiring very little kinetic energy storage. The LB007, however, features an advanced vertical trajectory built for a wide range of resistance. At high resistance settings, its massive kinetic energy storage becomes essential—smoothly carrying the exerciser through mechanical "dead spots" for a fluid, low-impact workout even at maximum intensity.
Unlike other ellipticals that offer a high number of levels simply to split up a narrow, low-resistance range, the LB007 provides a wide resistance range from light cardio to heavy strength training across 8 convenient, distinct levels.
With small flywheel and a compact 2-stage transmition drivetrain, the high kinetic energy LB007 can be designed with light weight and a small footprint.
Speed Tranmission concept brought a revelotion in kinetics and kinematics design, like what happend to bicycle.
Vertical Elliptical
While traditional elliptials are inherently confined to horizontal elliptical trajectory design, VT007 is designed as a vertical elliptical machine because of its 2-stage architure.
Unlike traditional ellipticals that pedals directly rotate the large size flywheel, LB007 has its pedals rotate the small size crank wheel which can be conveniently positioned to allow better biomechanical design.
Traditional elliptical machines are mostly desgined to move more on horizontal direction. That is because that, in their single-stage transmision design, the paddle bars are attached to the large diameter flying wheel, which makes the movement on horizontal elliptical tragetory.
Lin Bo developed a new design concept of two-stage transmission elliptical machine. Instead of using large mass flying wheel to achieve the needed movment initia, Lin Bo considered using high speed to achieve the same movement initia to produce smooth resistance. A two-stage transmission design was adopted to move a small flying wheel to a high speed at 1:16 ratio.
With a small flying wheel, the elliptial machine can be designed with significantly small footprint. Obviously the mechanics of two-stage transmission is more complicated than the single-stage transmission.
Weight of the flying wheel of LB007 is 10 lb, compared to 20 - 40lb for gym use elliptical machines.
About Lin Bo, the inventor...
Lin Bo this the owner of Zhejiang Jintuo Mechanical & Electrical Manfucturing, the ODM factory of the Vertical Elliptial Trainer Model LB007.
He and his brother took over a small machine shop from their father and grew it to a mid-size factory specializing in manufacturing fitness equipment, with annual output of 500k units of stationary bikes, elliptical machines and vibration plates for the global market.
Without a college degree, Lin Bo started his career in mechanical manufacturing at an early age, and self-tought himself to become a seasoned, practical mechanical engineer from intensive product development processes.
LB007 concentrates the practical engineering expertise and manufacturing experience from Lin Bo and his engineering team.
Vertical Elliptical
Vertical elliptical tragetory happened to be a good result of developing this compact size two-stage transmission elliptical machine.
Vertical elliptical movement is probably a better approach to ellipical biomechanics for the following reasons
- Vertical resistance is more suited as human body is inheritely designed to overcome gravity, more effectively load muscles and bones
- Vertical resistance force spinal straight for better postures and core strength
- Better utilize the cycling elliptical movement for a wide range of training framework: cardio, HIIT and resistance training
Translucent Blue
Jay Tang considered good mechanical design is itself an art, pleasing to look, and decided to a translucent blue style for the LB007, inspired by iMac G3.
Just like iMac G3, the translucent style was initially opposed by engineering and production departments as it post much higher requirements on materials and production processes. Jay insisted, not just because of the looking, but also to prevent many defects that may otherwise be let go, including voids in mold-injection plastic, incomplete welding fusion and defective finishing, making LB007 truly a high-end fitness machine.
LB007 is built for a lifestyle, crafted for users that appreciate its style, love to have it in home, and enjoy using it on daily basis.
ASTM Based Testing Standard
Jay joined the later phase in product design and prototyping, and developed ASTM 2810F based testing standard for the LB007.
The testing is designed for
- A home fitness machine with professional-specs and yet a compact footprint
- Vertical elliptical - a better approach to ellipical biomechanics
Problems with Typical Home Fitness Machines
Compromized design due to use-case constraints
To fit home and satisfy the residential delivery requirements, home fitness machines are often designed downsized with compromized structure, construction, performance and durability:
- Lower metal guage
- Less beams and brace supports
- Reduced movement range
Prematuure damage due to user assembly error
To save on shipping costs, home fitness machines are usually packed in smaller pieces. Users need to do assembly job after receiving the package at their home. Assembly error can lead to
- quick wear and tear
- Bolt thread damage
- structural deformation
These damages are often beyond repair, resulting in the waste of the entire machine.
White-label — lack of accountability
Most home fitness machines are white-label products, especially those listed on Amazon market place. Both manufacturerers and sellers are lack of incentive in building a brand with quality products
- Lack of engineering accountiability
- Lack of consistent testing staandards
- Cost-driving design rather than perfformance
- Arbitrarily claimed specs, such as maxium user weight
- Unscientifical movement geometry. As long as it spins, it ships
- Poor or inaccurate biomechanics
- Seller lack of product knowledge for providing proper customer support
The Initiative
As a major OEM supplier, Lin Bo understood these problems firsthand.
He saw an opportunity to create:
- A compact footprint elliptical
- Minimal user assembly
- Professional-grade structure
- Real engineering accountability
Core Engineering Concept
LB007 uses a two-stage transmission system with a high transmission ratio and a smaller flywheel to achieve smooth resistance without excessive mass.
After extensive testing, the optimal configuration was determined as:
- 1:16 transmission ratio
- 2.5 kg flywheel
- Magnetic resistance system
This design produces smooth, responsive resistance without inertia lag.
After 18 months and over half a dozen prototypes, the final blueprint was approved and test production completed.
(Image: Exploded View)
Vertical Elliptical Motion
Conventional ellipticals are planar four-bar mechanisms with heavy flywheels, producing mostly horizontal elliptical trajectories.
LB007 is fundamentally different.
Its motion is predominantly vertical, which:
- Reduces required floor space
- Engages muscles more effectively
- Reduces knee joint impact
- Supports both cardio and strength training
👉 (Link: Advantages of Vertical Elliptical)
Fitness as Lifestyle
Jay introduced a key idea:
fitness equipment should be something people love to use.
That philosophy led to:
- The translucent design
- A straightforward 10-year warranty
- Emotional engagement with engineering quality
10-Year Warranty
Jay believes a straightforward 10-year warranty is essential for lifestyle fitness equipment.
Peace of mind encourages consistent daily use—and consistency is what creates results.
ASTM F2810-Based Testing
LB007 satisfies ASTM-based testing requirements to support a recommended maximum user weight of 250 lb, verified under conditions equivalent to:
- 30 minutes per day
- Average resistance
- 10-year lifespan
👉 (Link: ASTM F2810-Based Test Standard)
Inspired by iMac G3
Jay shared the story of the first translucent iMac with the Jintuo team.
Over time, resistance turned into pride.
We believe in introducing products we love ourselves before offering them to customers.
👉 (Link: Steve Jobs & iMac G3)
Navymov Brand
Finding a short, meaningful domain is difficult.
navymov.com was available—and perfect.
- “Navy” suggests depth and confidence
- “Mov” represents motion
Blue became the natural brand color—calm, confident, and engineering-driven.
The logo is intentionally understated.
We let the product speak.
Final Engineering Page Closing Paragraph (as requested)
At Navymov, engineering is not hidden—it is celebrated.
LB007 represents our belief that honest mechanics, transparent design, and thoughtful testing create not only better machines, but better long-term relationships with users.
We do not chase trends. We build things meant to last.