Exercise machines having adjustable elliptical striding motion

An exercise machine for performing a striding exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second pedal members;
• first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, wherein the first and second foot pads are configured to move in respective elliptical paths during the striding exercise motion;
• first and second rocker arms, wherein the first and second pedal members are pivotably coupled to the first and second rocker arms and move with the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame;
• an adjustment device that pivotably couples the first and second rocker arms to the frame, the adjustment device being configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame, respectively, which thereby changes an incline shape of the elliptical paths, respectively, during the striding exercise motion;
• wherein each of the first and second pedal members has a forward end pivotably coupled to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, and wherein each of the first and second pedal members further has a rearward end pivotably coupled to a resistance device;
• first and second crank arms that are radially opposed to each other, wherein each of the first and second crank arms has a radially inner end that is rotatably fixed to a center shaft at a rear of the exercise machine, the center shaft being coupled to the resistance device;
• first and second stride links that are pivotably coupled to radially outer ends of the first and second crank arms, respectively, and further being pivotably coupled to a tail portion of the first and second pedal members, respectively;
• first and second idler links having a first end that is pivotably coupled to a base member of the frame at an idler link-base member pivot axis and a second end that is pivotably coupled to a lower end of a respective one of the first and second stride links at a stride-link-idler link pivot axis.