US Patent 9468798 Decoupled arm supports in an elliptical machine

An exercise machine includes a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal movably attached to a frame and arranged to travel along reciprocating paths. A pedal resistance mechanism is integrated into the exercise machine and arranged to resist movement of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal along the reciprocating paths. A first arm support and a second arm support are movably attached to the frame where the first arm support and the second arm support are mechanically independent of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal. Further, a dampening assembly is arranged to resist movement of the first arm support and the second arm support.