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The History and Features of Elliptical Machines

March 13th, 2010

Elliptical machines are relatively new to the exercise machine scene, but they have surged in popularity as more and more people discover the benefits of elliptical workouts. Since they first appeared in the 1990’s elliptical exercise machines have been studied carefully for safety and fitness effectiveness, and found to be a great way to get a total body workout without the need for multiple fitness machines.

The First Elliptical Machines

The first elliptical machines to come on the market were quickly embraced by fitness enthusiasts all over. These early models worked the lower body quite thoroughly, but the upper body stayed stationary thanks to handlebars that did not move. Before too long, exercise buffs began asking for upper body action as well, and the manufacturers of elliptical exercise machines responded.

Now most elliptical trainers come with both lower body and upper body motion as a standard feature, with some offering handlebar motions and resistance that can help you get a truly intense upper body workout.

Basic Features

The basic features of elliptical machines include the drive system, the resistance system and the stride length. Let’s take a look at each of these separately.

Drive system – The two types of drive systems are front drive and rear drive. Front drive systems tend to be used on low-end elliptical exercise machines and can produce a motion that is somewhat rough and awkward. Rear drive systems are far superior, providing much smoother motion and greater user comfort. Rear drive can be found on elliptical trainers from the mid-range on up to the very high end of the market.

Resistance system – There are three main types of resistance systems used on elliptical machines today. Low-end machines typically have a manual system that the user adjusts by hand, but some low-end and most mid-range machines use a motorized brake system. High-end machines use an eddy current brake system, which is extremely reliable and smooth.

Stride length – The stride length on low-end elliptical exercise machines is typically set at the factory and is not adjustable by the user. Mid-range and high-end machines, however, typically offer an adjustable stride length of some sort. As you would expect, the most expensive elliptical trainers come with stride length adjustment systems that provide maximum flexibility and customization options for the user.

Advanced Features

There is an almost endless list of advanced features that can be found on elliptical exercise machines. The more expensive the model, the more sophisticated the features. Let’s talk a bit about some of the most common advanced features and how they might vary from machine to machine.

Control panel – The control panel can be very simple and straightforward or it can provide the user with a wide variety of input, feedback, monitoring and guidance. They are typically electronic and run on batteries, which need to be replaced periodically.

Programmability – Most elliptical machines are programmable in some way. They may be programmable for individual users and their preferences, they may come with standard pre-programmed workouts, or some combination of both options.

Heart rate monitors – More and more machines today include some form of heart rate monitoring to help you stay in your optimum aerobic zone during your workout. Some monitor your pulse via special handgrips, while others use small clips that attach to your ear or wrist and connect back to the elliptical machine with a small wire or, increasingly, with a wireless connection.

Adjustable incline – Just like a treadmill machine, many elliptical machines feature an adjustable incline to help you make your workout more or less intense. Some adjust manually, while others adjust remotely via a small motor.

Adjustable stride length – A step up from the standard stride length is the adjustable stride length found on some mid-range and nearly all high-end elliptical machines. The adjustment of stride length is generally done manually.

How to Select an Elliptical Machine

Selecting an elliptical machine is more complex than just trying one out and deciding to buy it. You should consider a number of factors, including:

o Budget – how much can you afford to spend?

o Size – how big is the space where you will use and store the machine?

o Warranty – how long is the warranty on the machine?

o Maintenance – what kind of regular maintenance is needed?

o Features – what basic and advanced features are most important to you and how much extra are you willing to pay to get them?

Where to Buy Elliptical Machines

With the surge in popularity of elliptical machines, there are more places than ever before where you can buy a machine for yourself. Different types of stores come with different advantages and disadvantages, ranging from price to quality to service and product knowledge.

Many people assume that the best place to buy an elliptical machine is in a specialty store that offers high-end fitness machines, and in many situations, this is true. Specialty stores generally offer higher quality products, more knowledgeable sales staff, and the opportunity to try and compare several machines side by side. However, their sales staff can be especially pushy because they work on straight commission, so they will try to sell you the most expensive equipment possible.

The internet is another avenue to research and buy an elliptical machine, but unless you visit a local retailer you cannot conveniently try out the machine before purchase. Online vendors can save you some money on the purchase price, but beware of high shipping charges due to the weight and size of the machine.

Another popular option is to buy from a well-known merchant such as Costco, Sears, Wal-Mart, etc. In some cases you will find lower prices at these locations, but don’t expect to find particularly knowledgeable sales staff or high-end, high-quality equipment. If you need service on your machine at some point, these large merchants will refer you to the manufacturer for assistance.

Summary

Elliptical exercise machines have taken the fitness world by storm in the last 15 years, rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways to get a full body workout. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and price ranges, with a range of features to match. Your best bet when shopping for an elliptical trainer is to balance your needs against what your budget can bear.

About the Author:

Julie-Ann Amos is a freelance writer for Elliptical Machines ‘N Trainers.com, a consumer guide on elliptical exercise machines. She researched dozens of elliptical trainer reviews to write this article on the features of the best elliptical trainers and machines.

Copyright 2005 Elliptical-Machines-N-Trainers.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author’s byline is included and all 3 links are hyperlinked.

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What Are Ellipticals Effective At?

March 11th, 2010

Elliptical machines burst on to the fitness scene relatively recently and are loved by many and hated by some. But the question that is constantly asked is are ellipticals effective for me? The answer to that question can only be answered on a case by case basis but for the most part these machines do a great job at many things for many people.

Things That Ellipticals Do Effectively

Preserve Your joints: People with arthritis, back pain and other medical problems will answer yes if asked are ellipticals effective for you? These machines allow them to complete a low impact high intensity effective workout without causing any pain or causing additional damage to their bodies or joints.

Provide Variety: Many people who workout on elliptical machines find the ability to run backwards on the machine a great way to maintain variety in their workouts and target the muscles from another angle. Some models even offer the ability to change incline angles that further add to the workouts variety.

Helping Posture: Workout posture is important on any machine to avoid injury and the elliptical machines were designed to help the user maintain correct workout posture. The design feature greatly aids in the injury reduction.

Give a Full Body Workout: Are ellipticals effective at giving you a full body workout? The answer is yes, that is as long as the model you use has upper body levers that can be used during your workout. This feature by itself cuts your needed workout time down significantly making your gym trips much shorter!

Although the elliptical trainer may not fit into everyones fitness program or goals they do offer some very unique characteristics that make them appealing to a large number of people. But the only real way to decide if ellipticals trainers are effective for your workouts is to hop on one and give it a try!

Learn how Elliptical Exercise can get you in shape and looking great by visiting the best Elliptical Trainer Treadmill website on the internet!

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The Horizon Elliptical Trainer

March 7th, 2010

The Horizon Elliptical is an affordably priced elliptical that comes with a one year warranty. It is considered a good buy for the money. People who have used it say that the ride is comfortable because the pedals level on their own.

One of the problems with the Horizon Elliptical is that the brakes, which are mechanical, break down and really need to be periodically taken care of. The upper body workout, which you get with the handlebars in motion, can be difficult and uncomfortable for shorter people to reach and use.

The Horizon Elliptical doesn’t seem to be built as well as other higher end type ellipticals and may require servicing often. This machine may not be a really long lasting piece of equipment, but it’s still considered to be worth buying. Because of the problem with reaching the handlebars on the Horizon Elliptical, you should really test out a demo in the store to make sure that you can use it. If you decide to purchase a Horizon

Elliptical it would probably be a good idea to also purchase an extended warranty.

The Horizon Elliptical will feel different then the elliptical that you might use in a gym because the flywheel is on the reverse end of the machine.

The Horizon Elliptical has four different models. They are the Horizon e51, the Horizon e52, the Horizon e53, and the Horizon e54hr.The main differences in these models are the extras, like the heart rate monitors, which are part of the electronic system of the machine.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He provides more elliptical trainer information and elliptical trainer reviews that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Finding The Best Elliptical Machine – A Recommendation For Every Price Range

February 22nd, 2010

Choosing the best elliptical machine is all a matter of figuring out what you want to do with it. Whether you’re a serious athlete cross training for a medal, or an old guy looking to give your heart a boost three times a week as per doctor’s orders, your elliptical needs will be different. Here are three suggestions. These are 3 of the most consistently highly ranked ellipticals.

Best For A Serious Workout

If you are serious about personalizing your workout and getting the most out of your machine, the Precor EFX 5.17i might be the machine for you. Precor is often considered the best elliptical designer in the industry. They have more patents than any other elliptical manufacturer, and build some of the smoothest machines.

The EFX 5.71 has 4 different programs and 20 resistance levels. With all of these options, you can keep your routine varied and interesting. These features also help you to exercise different parts of your body.

You may have used a Precor in your local gym or fitness center before. These models are often used commercially because of their high quality. There are ellipticals that have more features and programmable options, but for a good overall package, Precors are great. They are sturdy and reliable, and relatively easy to use compared to other commercial grade machines.

You can buy a new Precor EFX 5.71 for $2,800.

Best Mid-Range Elliptical

If you want a good, comfortable machine, the Smooth CE 3.2 may be the one. Smooth ellipticals really live up to their name. They use a heavy duty flywheel, rather than the usual rollers most machines use, and this makes for a much more comfortable ride. Being comfortable and relaxed when you work out is important, and the Smooth can’t be beat.

Smooth was one of the first companies to make their machines with movable handlebars. Now, it’s hard to even imagine using one without. Smooth’s design can’t be beat for maximum comfort and efficiency in working out your whole body.

This model also has preset functions in case you want to give yourself a challenge. You don’t have to, of course, but features such as resistance levels and user profiles can add a lot to your workout.

Smooth CE 3.2’s usually retail for about $2,000, but with a little shopping around you can probably find one for around $1,500.

Best Affordable Model

If you’re just looking for a quality machine to run on and don’t need special features or programs, the Sole E25 is the most recommended machine. It is well built, and comes at a reasonable price. Many consider the Sole E25 to be the best elliptical available for under $2,000.

Soles are comfortable because they use a flywheel instead of rollers, and they have fully adjustable foot pedals. This is a feature most ellipticals do not have. You can adjust practically everything on these machines, and get the most comfortable workout possible.

Soles are also sturdy. The E25 can hold up to 300 pounds without pushing it. And, if you feel like challenging yourself, there are options such as resistance settings to challenge yourself with.

Choosing the best elliptical machine is not easy. First, you should know what you’re looking for. Don’t pay extra for features you don’t need. Elliptical prices can get up into the stratosphere. Know what you need and how much you’d like to spend before you go shopping.

You can also find more information at Elliptical Machines and Elliptical Trainer Reviews. Bestellipticalreviews.com is a comprehensive resource to get reviews about elliptical.

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Basic But Important Elliptical Training Workout Tips

February 13th, 2010

Elliptical trainers are a great workout machine for many people for a wide variety of reasons. Ellipticals are great for building endurance, have a low impact design and promote cell growth in your bones that will help grow strong bones that are resistant to osteoporosis. How ever there is more to an elliptical then just hopping on and running in place, there are some basic elliptical training workout tips that can help you maximize your time at the gym.

Tips For a Safe elliptical Workout

Always Stretch: Although it may seem like a basic tip from your high school gym teacher stretching your muscles is the best way to prep the body for exercise and avoid potential injury. This is one of the most overlooked elliptical training workout tips in the gym today and is the most important to perform.

Stay Hydrated:By staying hydrated during your workout you will be able to workout longer and harder. You will also be less likely to suffer from muscle cramps if you stay hydrated. However do only take small sip throughout your workout as to much water can cause stomach cramping during a workout.

Know Your Limits:Before any workout program always consult a doctor to make sure your body can handle the strenuous workouts an elliptical can provide. And if anytime during your workout if you feel pain or any type of dizziness or feel lightheaded stop immediately and rest.

Do Not Over Train: Although working out everyday may seem like a good idea it is not. Your body needs at least 2 days a week to rest and rebuild. By making sure you follow this elliptical training workout tips you can avoid the side effects of over training that include exhaustion, injury and performance loss.

Although they sound simple implementing some basic elliptical training workout tips will allow you to enjoy a long prosperous workout program for a long time.

Learn more Elliptical Workout Basics and how an Elliptical Trainer Treadmill can help get you in shape fast!

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The LifeCore Fitness LC990 Elliptical – Making Workouts Possible For Larger Users

February 6th, 2010

Ellipticals continue to grow in popularity when it comes to finding a piece of exercise equipment to be used at home. Unfortunately, those that are particularly tall or heavy have not been able to take advantage of these machines because of weight limits and limitations in height. The LifeCore Fitness LC990 Elliptical, however, was designed specifically to meet the needs of those that have previously had difficulty finding an elliptical that is right for them.

Many ellipticals that are currently on the market have a weight limit of 300 pounds. The LifeCore Fitness LC990 Elliptical, on the other hand, has a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds. In addition, it is constructed with thick tubular construction in order to provide for an extra level of stability for larger users.

Despite the fact that the LifeCore Fitness LC990 Elliptical is made with larger users in mind, it still has a compact design. The extra durability of the machine does make it quite a bit heavier than many other ellipticals, however, which means it weighs in at 137 pounds. Fortunately, the model does have oversized transport wheels that make it easier to move it from place to place.

As with other ellipticals offered through LifeCore, the LC990 model features 12 Preset Programs as well as 4 Polar Compatible Heart Rate Control Programs. It also offers 16 levels of Magnetic Resistance as well as the ability to store data for up to 9 different users. Therefore, everyone in the household, from large to small, can make use of this model.

The added durability of the LifeCore Fitness LC990 Elliptical does not add to the length of its warranty. As with other ellipticals offered through LifeCore, this model comes with a five year warranty on parts and a one year warranty on labor when used for residential purposes. In addition, this model is more costly than other models, such as the LC980 and the LC985Z, and this extra cost may not be worth it if you do not have a need for a more durable model that is suited for larger users.

View all our Fitness Equipment, Tips and Resources at http://www.athomefitness.net/online

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Using An Elliptical Trainer To Burn Mega Calories Safely And Lose Weight Fast

January 16th, 2010

We all know that if you want to lose weight or tone up you need to exercise. Well, aerobics requires a trip to the local YMCA or gym and can be quite inconvenient not to mention some people do not want to be on display at a crowded gym. running is great, but it has two major downfalls.

One, obviously, is that you probably will not do it in the rain or any extremely adverse weather. The other is that running does cause impact injuries from the constant jarring. An elliptical trainer is the answer. It is the quintessential perfect workout machine and offers the ideal way burn mega calories safely and lose weight fast.

The elliptical trainer was designed to follow the natural leg movement and range of motion while also including your upper body. It is a very low impact machine that will utilize more muscles through a wider range of motion (which makes it far superior to even a treadmill as most do not offer any upper body workout). Exercising on an elliptical machine is aerobic and similar to cross country skiing, but different in that it is akin to cross country skiing up a steep and continuous incline (like a stair climber).

The elliptical machines give a much more intense and more rounded workout that places more emphasis and burn on the hip and thigh areas. It also uses the wider range of motion and resistance which only an elliptical trainer can do in its leg movements further intensifying the workout which the cross country machines can not do.

Generally it is stated by most exercise experts that with these machines the more you weigh the more the calories you will burn. It all depends on your weight, the difficulty setting chosen and proper use and motion.

With an elliptical trainer many people have the tendency to use it wrongly and not get the optimum results. Just go to any gym with elliptical machines and watch the people using them. Many tend to bounce way too much and use their body weight to ride down each side. This is incorrect.

The goal is to try and hold your hips as stationary as possible instead of letting them bounce all over the place. By holding the hips in place you take in a much greater range of motion and greatly intensify the workout and it now becomes a mega calorie burning machine and an ultimate method for fast weight loss.

Proper motion on an elliptical trainer is akin to isometric exercises. Try and hold your motion so that your legs and arms do all the work and movement and that your hips stay parallel without bobbing up and down. If you bob up and down, its like riding a bike where the only exercise you get is on the down stroke and if you stand up and use your body weight it becomes almost effortless. The same is true for the elliptical training machine.

Now try this on the elliptical trainer and let your legs and arms go through their fuller range of motion while your core stays stationary. This will be hard to do at first, but you will burn 10 times the calories of someone not doing this and greatly increase your metabolism over time. You can also make it even harder by using the arm attachments like an isometric exercise by pushing and pulling on them at the same time. This goes to show that going fast does not necessarily mean you are getting the most from your workout.

Going slow while using the kinesthetics of the elliptical trainer while also using isometrics to further pump your muscles will give the optimum results and help you lose weight faster than ever. If you do not believe me on this, just try it and you will be a believer! If its too hard, do not be afraid to lessen the tension or difficulty level and work your way up.

The best part of working out on an elliptical trainer, besides the great caloric burn and intense workouts (when used correctly) is that it is very low and almost non existent impact. You can also roll the machine in front of a TV and watch the news, a movie, or even reality TV. This will help take your mind off the workout (just do not forget to hold your hips level throughout the workout and use isometrics with your arms to up the resistance and workout intensity like never before).

When used properly, the elliptical trainer is difficult to beat for its wide range of motion, mega caloric burn, weight loss properties, low to moderate cost (a good home unit can be had for under $500) and convenience.

For the rest of this and many more great articles on similar, helpful topics, please be sure to visit – TCA peel – Skin care blog – lose weight.

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The Image 9.5 Elliptical Trainer – A Review

January 8th, 2010

If you’re after budget-priced exercise equipment, then the Image 9.5 elliptical trainer may be something for you to consider. It has a variety of programs, a fan and is readily available. Here is some more information on this machine.

If you have been searching for an elliptical trainer, then you know that they can be quite expensive. Many machines can cost over $1,000. So it is refreshing to see an elliptical like the Image 9.5, which has a full range of features but is selling for under $400. In fact when many people see it they think it could be a pricing mistake. But it is available from Wal-Mart at this price.

So how does this machine stack up? It is a rear wheel machine that has quiet magnetic resistance. The console has an easy to read back-lit LCD display and there is a fan built into the console. This is useful for providing some breeze during a workout, and is a feature often found on more expensive models. But if you are getting really hot while using the machine, a normal freestanding fan would be much more effective.

There are 10 different workout programs to stop you from getting bored during your workouts. In addition it offers the iFit interactive personal training program.

Feedback on the machine has been mixed. Although it offers great value, some people have pointed out some limitations. It has been said that the pedals are too far apart making it uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time. It has also been said that the build quality is not that good.

The Image 9.5 elliptical trainer would suit the novice or occasional exerciser that wants a cost effective machine to use at home. If you are at all serious about your fitness, you will probably want better quality piece equipment.

Looking for a quality home elliptical trainer? Check out our free guide to see whether you should buy Proform elliptical or a Nautilus elliptical machine.

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Top Ten Elliptical Cross Trainers

January 8th, 2010

Trying to decide which elliptical cross trainer is right for you? Which one is best for your workout and your budget? The following is a list compiled of the highest-rated elliptical cross trainers, in no particular order.

#1 – Precor EFX 546. A superior piece of workout equipment and doctor-recommended. Pricey, though – it costs over $5000.

#2 – ProForm 900. Rated best value by Prevention Magazine

#3 – Precor EFX 5.17i. Rated highest quality model, also by Prevention.

#4 – NordicTrack CXT990. Elliptical pioneer NordicTrack makes this model with more features than any other.

#5 – ProForm 800 CardioCross Trainer. Ranked “Champ” of Ellipticals by Good Housekeeping for comfort and safety.

#6 – Stamina Conversion II Elliptical/Stepper 55-2050. Good Housekeeping’s first-runner up.

#7 – Tunturi C6. Tested by Which? Magazine and ranked high for convenience and ease of use.

#8 – Vision Fitness X6200 HRTDA. Also ranked high by Which? for suitability and features.

#9 – Star Trac’s Natural Runner. Received positive reviews for custom workout features and ease of use.

#10 – Reebok Elliptical Cross-Trainer 6808. Consumer Reports ranked it #1 based on testing. And the price is only $500.

When comparing elliptical cross trainers, look for models that allow you to adjust the incline for a more complete workout. Also, models that store your information (such as weight and workout preferences) allow you to monitor your exercise goals and progress. Watch out for models that move across the floor while you are working out – dangerous! And whenever possible, try before you buy. That way you will know if the machine is comfortable for you to use.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He provides more elliptical trainer ratings, rankings and elliptical trainer reviews that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Elliptical Workout – 3 Advantages of Working Out With an Elliptical

January 6th, 2010

If you’re trying to decide between an elliptical trainer and another piece of exercise equipment, consider the workout advantages an elliptical provides. What’s so special about an elliptical workout? Here are 3 unique advantages of these machines:

#1) Forward & Back Motions Provide Better Workout Results

Almost all elliptical trainers offer both forward and back motion (also called dual action motion). This allows you to work different sets of muscle groups in your legs (hamstrings vs quads) which adds up to more calories burned, more muscles toned and an overall better body workout.

You can’t walk backwards on a treadmill (ok, you can but that might be difficult). And peddling backwards on a bike might not be so helpful. The dual action ability of your elliptical trainer helps you work more muscles. Plus you have the potential to burn more calories

#2) You Get A Lower Impact Workout

A properly designed elliptical crosstrainer mimics your body’s natural stride – the way your foot moves elliptically when walking, running, or jogging. You stand upright striding in a forward or reverse motion. Your feet never leave the pedals.

Because of this, impact is basically eliminated and there is much less overall stress on your knees, hips and back, joints and back. (Just make sure you get a properly designed machine – not one of the cheaper department store versions!)

Because of the lower impact of an elliptical workout, the elliptical machine is becoming very popular with the older population or those who are more easily prone to sports injury.

#3) Upper Body Arm Bars Help You Burn More Calories & Get A Superior Overall Body Workout

Many elliptical trainers offer moveable upper body arm bars. By working both legs and arms, your heart rate elevates more quickly which encourages your body to burn calories faster and more efficiently.

It also results in a lower perceived rate of exertion (basically you don’t feel like you worked as hard as you really did). This may mean that you end up burning more calories, even without feeling like you did much of a workout.

By offering upper body arms, an elliptical machine workout also helps you tone your arms, shoulders and back for better definition.

Those are 3 advantages of working out with your home elliptical. While there are many advantages, just remember to choose a form of exercise you actually enjoy doing. Because in the end – it’s how much you actually use it that makes a good piece of fitness equipment.

Kathryn ONeill writes for http://www.EllipticalTrainerReview.com a site offering the latest elliptical brand reviews, ratings and discount links.

For the latest Elliptical best buys in 3 different price categories visit the Best Elliptical Trainer page.

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