Octane Fitness Q45 Operation Manual page 25

Overall results indicated that:
Walking tends to use shorter strides
Jogging uses medium length strides
Running requires longer strides
Reverse motion shortens the stride length and shifts the torso lower and backward to increase
stability and balance
Stride length preference changes with direction; exercisers prefer a longer motion for traveling
forward and require a shorter motion in reverse.
In addition, research shows elliptical users tend to hold one pace steady throughout workouts, a pace that is
matched to a fixed stride length. Researchers found that faster or slower speeds feel unnatural when stride
lengths were not adjusted accordingly.
You will soon find that SmartStride is a valuable and integral component in providing the most effective workouts
available.
How to use smartstride
Beginning exercisers to elite athletes can take advantage of these unmatched interactive ergonomics with the
press of the SmartStride button. Begin by choosing any program or QuickStart. Once you begin pedaling at a
comfortable pace, press the SmartStride button.
Your Q45/Q45e/Q45ce will take 10 seconds to analyze your speed. During this time, find a comfortable speed for
your workout. At the end of the 10-second speed analysis, your average speed (in RPMs) will be displayed blinking
in the speed window. This number will be used as your average speed and will be noted as the basis for stride
length adjustment.
You're done – it is that simple. Your Q45/Q45e/Q45ce is ready for your SmartStride workout. The faster you go,
the longer the stride length becomes. For every 5 RPM increase or decrease, the stride changes 1 inch (3 cm).
Go backwards and the stride length automatically decreases 3 inches (9 cm) (based on initial stride length when
SmartStride was activated). For ultimate control, or if you don't like the stride length for any reason, simply change
the stride length using the Stride (+/-) buttons on the console or the left moving handlebar.
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