MissyMagoo, I've had a Gazelle for about 3 years, and I've put lots of miles on it (back when I was working out - here we go again!). It gives a great cardio workout, and it does help the arms & legs overall - although not in the major muscles, unfortunately.

I don't know that I'd recommend it long-term. It depends heavily on the hip flexors, and after awhile (several weeks) my hips joints had major pain. I know it was from my Gazelle workouts, because that's what would aggravate the pain, and it continued for the entire time I used it regularly. I finally quit using it, and after a couple of months, the pain went away.

I still use the Gazelle periodically, but not for more than 20 minutes, and not as my main source of cardio. When I over use it, the pain in my hips comes back. Too bad - it IS fun!