This machine is honest about one thing: effort in equals what you'll feel in your legs. Posture matters as much as speed. Stand tall with a slight forward lean from your ankles, not your waist. Grip the handles lightly and let your legs drive the motion—your arms should assist, not pull. The pedals should feel smooth and connected to your hip drive. If you hunch over or grab the handles hard, you're working your upper body instead of letting your legs actually do the work. Find a pace that feels natural, not the fastest you can spin. Consistency of effort beats intensity of speed.