This is a good way to exercise your arms and get an aerobic workout. I broke my hip and wanted something for exercise other than slow walking.
It's a sturdy unit and it doesn't heat up when I use it. I also tried using it for peddling with my feet, but didn't like that so much. The movement is jerky with foot peddling (the jerkiness is hardly noticeable with arm peddling). Also, with foot peddling, if you have large feet your heels
may hit against the bar in back if you don't sit at just the right angle.

I didn't have high hopes for this dirt cheap exercise machine and it didn't even manage to live up to those. Basically this machine is useless unless you find a way to anchor it to the floor and/or are too small to actually move it. My intention was to use it at the office under my desk but I couldn't make it stay put no matter what I tried. In addition, the difficulty setting mechanism is impossible to use and has only two levels - frictionless and stuck. Overall this was a big disappointment and I ended up returning it (thanks to Amazon for the great return policy). In two words - don't bother.

I have had a couple of these but this is the first one that I have liked and found easy to use. I was able to put it together in about two minutes. I use it while watching TV or even when I am reading. The only thing I would change about it are the rubber feet, they tend to turn a little but it's not a big problem. Well worth the price.

We are very pleased with this. I purchased it for my husband who is diabetic and not able to tolerate a ride-on stationary bike.

Next to my treadmill I wanted something that flexed/worked my knees a bit -- like a bicycle would, without having to commit to a full stationary bike. Using this unit does not feel like full-on cycling because the range of motion just isn't wide enough, but it does the trick and is exactly what I was looking for and expected, and the price is right. Unless you're completely sedentary I can't imagine you'd ever work up a sweat or breathe too hard, but it will slightly increase your heart rate and circulation, and you can definitely feel it in your calves and thighs after just a few minutes of pedaling. On a linoleum, tile or coated wood floor -- anything with some "tack" -- the unit does not move around at all, but on slick carpeting or bare wood floors expect movement. Unless you have a high working surface or are of short stature, I can't imagine pedaling on this under a desk. It took all of 10 minutes to assemble (no tools needed), functions quietly and smoothly, and stores easily. I haven't used it to work arms/shoulders as I have free weights and exercise bands for such things, but can imagine it would be good for the sedentary/elderly; there's also a two-sided flyer included that offers suggested routines. I knocked off a star because of a few claims. It won't provide a serious cardiovascular workout, nor is it a major calorie-burner. And though perfectly functional, the "electric progress monitor" is merely a timer of stopwatch variety and not connected to the unit in any way but for display. But overall this unit is a nice supplement to other exercise equipment when space is at a premium.