Helix /* Fitness */ — Whole Health. Active Aging. Clinically Proven.
Clinically Proven Whole Health

Move Better.
Live Longer.
Age Stronger.

For elite athletes, active adults, and everyone in between — the only clinically validated lateral trainer that builds strength, prevents injury, and preserves the movement that extends quality of life.

Explore Products See the Evidence
59%
Balance Improvement
in Under 4.5 Weeks
11
International Patents
Protecting the Technology
100K+
Units Deployed Across
Clinical & Home Settings
17+
Years of Clinically
Validated Innovation
≈0
Achieving Near-Zero
Product Defect Rate Since 2020
Now
The best time to protect your joints and build lasting movement is today — not after something breaks
Our Mission

The Healthspan Gap Ends Here

Most people wait until something breaks before they pay attention to how they move. Helix was built for the ones who don't wait — delivering clinically validated lateral movement therapy that protects joints, builds balance, and preserves the physical independence that defines a life well lived, now and for decades to come.

  • The only zero-impact seated lateral trainer validated in clinical settings for knee and hip rehabilitation
  • FSA/HSA-eligible — formally recognized by the U.S. government as a therapeutic health expenditure
  • Trusted by physical therapists, professional trainers, assisted living facilities, and continuum of care communities nationally
  • Protects and restores the Activities of Daily Living that define independence and quality of life at every age
The Helix Collection

Standing, or Fully
Seated Recumbent.

Every body has a different starting point. Helix meets yours — from full standing weight-bearing cardio to fully seated clinical recovery.

TheraScoop
Clinical Flagship
FSA / HSA
TheraScoop®
Fully Seated Lateral Trainer — the only portable, clinically validated zero-impact cardio modality on the market.
  • Zero weight-bearing — fully seated operation
  • Clinically shown to reduce chronic knee & hip pain
  • 59% balance improvement in under 4.5 weeks
  • Ideal for post-surgical recovery & ongoing PT
  • FSA / HSA eligible
Learn More
Recumbent
FSA / HSA
Helix Recumbent
Lateral Elliptical
Full recumbent lateral elliptical for users managing hip conditions, post-surgical recovery, or limited mobility.
  • Recumbent position — eliminates standing entirely
  • Lateral motion engages hip stabilizers, adductors & abductors
  • Used in PT clinics & skilled nursing facilities
  • Commercial-grade durability, near-zero defect rate
  • FSA / HSA eligible
Learn More
Upright Cardio
Lateral Elliptical
Upright Series
Full-body, weight-bearing lateral training for the athlete, the active adult, and everyone in between — cardio that's safe for joints and clinically proven to build the strength that lasts.
  • All 3 planes of human motion — Sagittal, Transverse & Lateral (Frontal)
  • 55% more core activation vs. the original elliptical
  • Improves knee & hip joint health with every session
  • Club & home models from $2,499
Shop Upright Models
The Clinical Evidence

Not a Promise. A Proof.

Helix's clinical validation record is a material asset — not a marketing claim. Every number below is drawn from clinical research and real-world deployment outcomes.

59%
Clinically demonstrated improvement in balance — including adults with stroke history and Parkinson's Disease
SciFit Study · Adults aged 72–95 · 2015
≈0%
Achieving near-zero product defect rate since 2020 across 100,000+ units in commercial, clinical, and home settings
Helix Lateral· Field deployment record
55%
Greater core muscle activation compared to the original elliptical training at matched effort
University of Tampa · 2011
11
International patents protecting Helix's lateral motion technology — an unmatched IP moat in the category
Helix Lateral· International Patent Portfolio
96%
Exercise adherence across 12 sessions in the 4-week knee pain clinical study — demonstrating real-world sustainability
Dr. Jan Schroeder · Cal State Long Beach · 2023
100K+
Units placed in PT clinics, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and homes
Helix Lateral · Cumulative deployment
FSA / HSA Eligible
U.S. Government Recognized Therapeutic Equipment
11 International Patents
Lateral Motion IP Protected Globally
Physical Therapist Recommended
Deployed in PT Clinics Nationwide
Near-Zero Defect Rate
Achieving Near-Zero Since 2020 · 100,000+ Units in the Field

Additional Evidential Data

A decade of independent research — six clinical studies, institution by institution, with full findings. Scroll down to explore, or open the full research summary below.

lateralelliptical.com →
Where Helix Is Deployed

Trusted Across Every Care Setting

From home recovery to clinical rehabilitation to institutional wellness programs — Helix performs in every environment where whole health matters most.

Home Use
PT-quality lateral therapy at home for every stage of an active life. FSA/HSA eligible. Financing from $49/month. Professional setup available.
Physical Therapy Clinics
Standard of care for post-surgical knee and hip rehabilitation. Trusted by PT professionals nationwide for pre-hab, post-surgical recovery, and ongoing joint health maintenance.
Assisted Living & CCRCs
Deployed in assisted living communities and continuing care retirement communities nationwide for resident wellness and fall prevention programs.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Used in SNF rehab programs where low-impact, seated lateral training is essential for patient recovery and mobility restoration — even for patients with limited weight-bearing capacity.
The Independent Science of Lateral Elliptical Training

Why Lateral Motion Is the Missing Dimension
in Every Other Cardio Machine

Every cardio machine before Helix — treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, traditional ellipticals — moves the body in a single front-to-back plane. Helix is the only clinically proven cardio trainer that moves the body in all three dimensions of human motion simultaneously. This difference is not cosmetic. It is the reason Helix reduces knee pain, improves balance, and activates the muscles that prevent falls — while no other machine can.

2×
Muscles activated compared to a traditional elliptical — working the lower body a full 360°
59%
Balance improvement in under 4.5 weeks — even in adults with stroke history and Parkinson's Disease
55%
More core activation than traditional elliptical — obliques, deep stabilizers, and abdominal muscles
23%
Faster time to reach the optimal fat-burning heart rate zone per session — more benefit every minute
25.4°
Hip abduction range on Helix versus just 7° walking — with full lateral muscle engagement throughout
≈0
Joint impact — non-concussive, safe for bone-on-bone conditions and post-surgical recovery

The independent science of lateral elliptical training is documented at lateralelliptical.com — over a decade of clinical data from Northwestern University, the University of Tampa, California State University Long Beach, and High Point University confirming that lateral ellipticals are the most evidence-supported cardio modality for active aging, joint rehabilitation, and fall prevention.

Read the Science →
Independent Research

Over a Decade of
Peer-Reviewed Evidence

Multiple independent research institutions have studied Helix's lateral training modality. The findings are consistent: lateral training dramatically outperforms conventional cardio for joint health, balance, fall prevention, and therapeutic recovery.

California State University Long Beach · 2023
Knee Pain Reduction & Activities of Daily Living
Led by Dr. Jan Schroeder, Chair of Kinesiology, this 4-week clinical study measured the Scoop® Lateral Trainer's effect on chronic knee pain — demonstrating pain reduction and measurable functional improvement in everyday activities.
  • 4-week program significantly reduced pain perception in participants with chronic knee issues
  • Improved ability to perform Activities of Daily Living — stairs, walking, and functional movement
  • Improved overall clinical status ratings across the participant group
  • 96% exercise adherence across 12 sessions — demonstrating real-world sustainability for aging adults
Dr. Jan Schroeder, Chair of Kinesiology · California State University Long Beach · 2023
SciFit Corporation · Recumbent Lateral Study · 2015
Balance, Fall Prevention & Neurological Populations
This study examined the recumbent lateral trainer in adults aged 72–95, including participants with nerve damage, stroke history, and Parkinson's Disease — among the most clinically challenging populations for balance rehabilitation.
  • Every completing participant improved their balance and power factor
  • Average balance improvement of 59% after approximately 4.5 weeks of training
  • Three participants who lost balance during initial testing completed follow-up tests without incident
  • Demonstrated efficacy across neurologically impaired older adult populations
SciFit Corporation · Recumbent Lateral Trainer Study · 2015 · Participant ages 72–95
Northwestern University · 2014
Lateral Balance Control & Hip Fracture Prevention
This landmark gait analysis study established the biomechanical basis for why lateral training uniquely prevents falls — providing the scientific foundation for Helix's role in active aging and clinical rehabilitation.
  • Impaired lateral balance control is the primary cause of falls in older adults
  • Lateral falls account for the majority of hip fractures in the 65+ population
  • Walking: 7.0° hip abduction, zero lateral muscle firing. Helix: 25.4° with full muscle engagement
  • Gluteus medius — the fall-prevention stabilizer — is uniquely activated by lateral training
  • Knee flexion reaches nearly 90° on Helix versus only 32° during walking
Northwestern University Gait Laboratory · 2014
University of Tampa · 2011
Superior Muscle Activation vs. Traditional Elliptical
A comprehensive EMG study comparing lateral trainer vs. traditional elliptical across 8 primary muscle groups at matched effort levels. The lateral trainer outperformed the elliptical in 7 of 8 muscles tested.
  • Vastus lateralis (outer quad): 50% greater activation — key for knee joint stability
  • Obliques (core): 55% greater activation — meaningful for lower back health
  • Adductors (inner thigh): 37% greater activation
  • Gluteus maximus: 39% greater in squat position · Gluteus medius: 33% greater
  • Target heart rate reached 23% faster — more time in the therapeutic zone
University of Tampa · Kinesiology Department · 2011
High Point University · 2016
Caloric Efficiency, Joint Health & Knee Rotation
Dr. Smoliga's study found superior calorie burn and a critically unique feature — healthy knee rotation — absent from every other cardio machine, making Helix uniquely protective of joint health over time.
  • Lateral trainer users burned 50–60 more calories per hour at matched heart rate and exertion
  • Provides healthy knee rotation — absent from cycling, rowing, and standard elliptical training
  • Does not exacerbate IT Band Syndrome or cross the body's midline — reducing knee adduction forces
  • Integrates flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and hip rotation simultaneously
Dr. Smoliga · High Point University · 2016
Western University & UCLA · 2006–2012
Exercise & Fall Rate Reduction in Older Adults
Multiple research teams confirmed that exercise targeting lateral balance and lower-body strength is the most effective clinical intervention for fall prevention — the foundational evidence base for Helix's therapeutic value.
  • Meta-analysis of 44 clinical trials: 17% reduction in fall rates through targeted exercise
  • Lateral balance training identified as the most relevant intervention for hip fracture prevention
  • Post-menopausal women show particular gluteus medius atrophy — making lateral training especially vital
  • Gluteus medius weakness linked to patellofemoral pain, ITB syndrome, hip/knee osteoarthritis
Fraix, Western University 2012 · Rubenstein & Josephson, UCLA 2006 · JOSPT 2017
Real Results

What the Evidence Sounds Like
in Real Life

"

Physical therapists routinely use Helix Lateral Ellipticals for clients with knee or hip injuries and to rehabilitate patients after total hip and knee replacement surgeries. It's one of the most effective tools we have for restoring function.

Clinical Physical Therapist
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation, U.S. PT Clinic Network
"

Our users' experience with the Helix is fabulous. The reason we encourage members to use it is the belief that you should workout in all the ways your body is meant to move. At our age, that's not negotiable.

Julian Selles
Anatomic Fitness
"

It's appealing to people who want something that challenges their body differently but still gives them that cardio workout — and for our 55+ members, it's transformed what they're able to do. The clinical results speak for themselves.

Sue-L Hamilton
University of South Florida
Leadership & Innovation

Meet the Founder:
Lenny Snyderman

Lenny Snyderman

Lenny Snyderman is an engineer, lifelong competitive athlete, and the CEO of Boston-based Helix Fitness, a company redefining functional wellness. His extensive athletic background spans football, competitive bodybuilding, road cycling, and cyclo-cross. This lifetime of intense physical training exposed him early to sports injuries, giving him a deeply personal understanding of joint mechanics, recovery, and the challenges of physical rehabilitation.

Leveraging his engineering background, Snyderman revolutionized cardiovascular exercise by inventing lateral training—a unique modality that guides the body through a smooth, multi-planar sideways motion rather than standard front-to-back movement. While originally built to enhance elite athletic performance (and adopted by professional teams like the New England Patriots and LA Lakers), Snyderman pivoted Helix’s focus after witnessing how the machines drastically reduced knee, hip, and lower back pain for everyday users.

By establishing a world-class Medical Advisory Board and collaborating with sports medicine experts, he transformed Helix into a trusted therapeutic tool. Snyderman is an advocate for holistic health, emphasizing targeted glute medius strengthening and anti-inflammatory nutrition to defeat chronic pain.

Use Your FSA or HSA
to Pay for Helix

Helix's TheraScoop® and Recumbent Lateral Trainer are formally recognized by the U.S. government as FSA/HSA-eligible therapeutic health expenditures. That means you can use pre-tax dollars — saving 20–40% — to invest in the equipment your joints, balance, and mobility need.

FSA / HSA Eligible
U.S. Government Recognized Therapeutic Equipment
Save 20–40% with Pre-Tax Health Dollars

Full Research Summary
Additional Evidential Data

Independent clinical studies from six research institutions documenting the therapeutic efficacy of Helix lateral training for joint health, balance, fall prevention, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Independent Lateral Elliptical Science

lateralelliptical.com documents the full body of independent clinical research — Northwestern University, University of Tampa, Cal State Long Beach, and High Point University — confirming that lateral ellipticals activate 2× the muscles, improve balance 59% in 4.5 weeks, and are the most evidence-supported modality for active aging and joint rehabilitation.

Explore the Research →
California State University Long Beach · 2023
Knee Pain Reduction & Activities of Daily Living
Led by Dr. Jan Schroeder, Chair of Kinesiology, this 4-week study examined the Scoop® Lateral Trainer's clinical effect on individuals with chronic knee pain, measuring both pain reduction and functional improvement in everyday activities.
  • 4-week program significantly reduced pain perception in participants with chronic knee issues
  • Improved ability to perform Activities of Daily Living — stairs, walking, and functional movement
  • Improved overall clinical status ratings across the participant group
  • 96% exercise adherence across 12 sessions — demonstrating real-world sustainability for aging adults
Dr. Jan Schroeder, Chair of Kinesiology · California State University Long Beach · 2023
SciFit Corporation · 2015
Balance, Fall Prevention & Neurological Populations
Recumbent lateral trainer study in adults aged 72–95, including participants with nerve damage, stroke history, and Parkinson's Disease.
  • Every completing participant improved their balance and power factor
  • Average balance improvement of 59% after approximately 4.5 weeks
  • Three participants who lost balance during initial testing completed follow-up without incident
SciFit Corporation · 2015 · Participant ages 72–95
Northwestern University · 2014
Lateral Balance Control & Hip Fracture Prevention
Landmark gait analysis establishing the biomechanical basis for lateral training in fall prevention.
  • Lateral falls account for the majority of hip fractures in the 65+ population
  • Walking: 7.0° hip abduction, zero lateral firing. Helix: 25.4° with full engagement
  • Gluteus medius — critical for lateral stability — uniquely activated by lateral training
Northwestern University Gait Laboratory · 2014
University of Tampa · 2011
Superior Muscle Activation vs. Traditional Elliptical
EMG comparison across 8 primary muscle groups. Lateral trainer outperformed elliptical in 7 of 8 tested.
  • Vastus lateralis: +50% · Obliques: +55% · Adductors: +37%
  • Gluteus maximus: +39% · Gluteus medius: +33%
  • Target heart rate reached 23% faster than traditional elliptical
University of Tampa · Kinesiology Department · 2011
High Point University · 2016
Caloric Efficiency, Joint Health & Knee Rotation
Dr. Smoliga's study on caloric efficiency and joint biomechanics — identifying healthy knee rotation as a unique Helix feature absent from all other cardio machines.
  • 50–60 more calories per hour at matched heart rate and perceived exertion
  • Provides healthy knee rotation absent from cycling, rowing, and elliptical training
  • Does not exacerbate IT Band Syndrome or cross the body's midline
Dr. Smoliga · High Point University · 2016
Western University & UCLA · 2006–2012
Exercise & Fall Rate Reduction in Older Adults
Meta-analysis and multiple studies confirming exercise targeting lateral balance as the most effective fall prevention intervention.
  • 44-trial meta-analysis: 17% reduction in fall rates through targeted exercise
  • Lateral balance training: most clinically relevant for hip fracture prevention
  • Gluteus medius weakness linked to patellofemoral pain, ITB syndrome, hip/knee osteoarthritis
Fraix, Western University 2012 · Rubenstein & Josephson, UCLA 2006 · JOSPT 2017