Does anyone remember Tony Little and the Gazelle machine? They look cool in videos but nobody I know who got one could do it as demoed on TV. It’s basically like putting your feet into two swings and then trying to run. Not graceful.
Pretty much every gym around here has a version of that - the Cybex arc trainer. No one really has a problem with it.
The only machine people have a problem with is the arcuate treadmill - because they don't get that it's supposed to simulate sled pushing, and isn't the Tony Little/Gazelle/arc trainer motion at all.
The Skiers edge reminded me of this, since there is no force to hold up your banking I think you’d end up jerking your legs side to side and holding yourself up with your arms, at least until you gain a lot of core control. Maybe that’s the point, it focuses on your abs so you can stay upright while you swing your legs back and forth.
Nah, there is much less banking than you think there is; the height difference between your feet at either end of the travel range keeps your shoulders close to level even if you're a complete noob. If you have enough flexibility in the ankles and lateral flexibility in the hips, it's actually really hard to get a core workout.