Elliptical trainers are among the newest exercise machines to be utilized by fitness facilities. Little research has been conducted in comparison with other popular exercise machines ( Kravitz, 2003, McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 1996). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between workload, measured by heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)). It was hypothesized that subjects would rate their exertion at the workload levels lower than would be common on other machines. If subjects found the machines to be challenging, yet comfortable, they may be encouraged to exercise for the recommended workout time. Forty four college-aged subjects were tested; 23 men, 21 women; 22 inexperienced with the Lifefitness 6500HR, 22 experienced. Each subjects’ maximum heart rate and target heart rate for 60, 70, 80, 90% of their maximum was calculated according to ACSM guidelines. The subjects completed a 3 minute warm-up and then exercised at their subsequent workloads for 3 minutes. Heart rates were measured by a Polar heart rate monitor during the last 15 seconds of each stage. The subjects used the Borg RPE Scale. The average and modal scores at each workload were respectively 9.8 / 11; 11.7/ 13; 13.5 / 13; 15.7 /15. There was no significant difference in RPE at the workloads by gender. There was a significant difference by experience level (.04). At 80% workload, the inexperienced elliptical exercisers’ RPE was higher than the experienced. The results approached significance (.08) at the 90% level. Regression analysis found experience to be a significant predictor (.029) of initial RPE (60% level) scores. The experienced exercisers were more consistent with their initial RPE ratings. RPE was not a good predictor of exercise intensity as compared to actual heart rate level. The modal RPE at 90% MHR was 15-hard. Reported RPE on treadmills and skiers at 90% are often rated at 17- very hard (Esten, 1987). If experienced elliptical exercisers depend on RPE as a measure of workload, they could be at risk for overtraining. The level the elliptical machine had to set at to achieve 90% MHR made it very difficult for the subjects to muscularly sustain exercise. Therefore, the elliptical would not be a practical machine for highly fit exercisers to train at higher MHR levels. These findings can help exercise leaders design programs. Further study is needed to replicate previous energy expenditure, workload, and RPE studies conducted on treadmills and cycles. Keyword(s): adult fitness, exercise/fitness, physical activity