I was lucky enough to use this over a period of a few weeks while at my mother's house.  It does not provide an aerobic workout compared to a treadmill or an elliptical.  There is very little resistance.  It is squeeky.  The movements are jerky compared to an elliptical.  It take sup a lot of space.  I found no value to it since it didn't get my heart rate up, it wasn't working any muscles, and it didn't provide a core work out.  Not sure what the purpose would be.  I am not a very aerobically fit person and can easily work up a sweat on other equipment within a few minutes so not getting an aerobic workout here really says a lot.  So, I don't even think that this is a good machine for beginners.