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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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Treadmills Versus Elliptical Machines – Find Out Which Is Best For You

March 1st, 2010


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Are you considering adding either a treadmill or an elliptical machine to your home gym? Do you find yourself unable to come to a decision in the battle of treadmills versus elliptical machines?

In this article we will take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of both of these home exercise choices. We will detail the benefits that treadmills offer. We will take a look at the type of person that would gain the most from a treadmill.

Likewise, we will examine the elliptical machine. We will explore its good points and bad points. We will take a look at who would benefit most from using an elliptical machine. And we will compare the two exercise machines further to help you make your choice based upon what you are looking for in exercise equipment.

A good quality treadmill offers you many benefits. A good treadmill will let you get your walking or jogging done no matter what the weather is like outdoors. From the comfort of your home you will be able to get a challenging cardiovascular workout whenever it is convenient to you.

You will be able to adjust your pace to the level that suits your current fitness level. As your fitness improves you can increase the pace of your workouts. Some models even have features that let you increase or decrease the angle of incline during your workout. Some treadmills include heart rate monitors. If you simply want to burn a few calories with a challenging cardiovascular workout a good treadmill may be just right for you.

Elliptical machines get your upper body involved. Because of the back and forth motion of the handle bars, you get your upper body and core more involved in each workout.

Elliptical trainers have a more natural foot motion that results in lower impact to your joints. A quality elliptical trainer will include all of the extra features such as the computer generated workouts that you get with top treadmills.

If you want to exercise your whole body during your cardiovascular sessions or are concerned about your joints, an elliptical machine may be ideal for you. One other important benefit of the elliptical trainer is that you can burn more calories per workout session. It is claimed that you can burn as much as twice the number of calories on an elliptical trainer that you would burn on a treadmill in the same amount of time.

After taking a closer look at the benefits of treadmills versus elliptical machines, it appears we have a clear winner. If you are looking for the exercise machine that gives you a full body workout, burns the most calories, and places the least amount of stress on your joints, the choice is clear.

A good elliptical trainer is clearly the best choice for all except those that are unable to take full advantage of an elliptical trainers benefits due to age or poor health. If your age or health conditions limit your physical abilities a treadmill may be the right choice for you.

Hopefully this article has helped highlight the differences between a treadmill workout and an elliptical machine workout. We have taken a brief look at the advantages of each. We have tried to show which exercise machine is best for the different requirement you have.

In the battle of treadmills versus elliptical machines, the final decision rests with you. Find the machine that best matches your exercise goals and abilities and you will have a piece of home exercise equipment that will contribute to your good health and fitness for years to come.

Find out more about treadmills versus elliptical machines at http://home-exercise-equipment.blogspot.com/ where you will

find information on this subject and other home exercise equipment choices.

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Tips For Losing Weight With Exercise Machines

February 16th, 2010

Many people are looking for a way to lose the weight that they have put on over the years and they just aren’t sure how to go about doing it. Losing weight with exercise machines is a great option because you can change up the workouts so you don’t get bored. Many people quickly get bored with walking running, but losing weight with exercise machines work because you can always change the routines.

Make Weight Loss Possible

Of course, if you have just one weight loss machine you may get bored. This is where a gym membership will come in really handy, as you’ll have access to a wide variety of machines. When you have access to many different machines you will be able to change things up, keep them interesting so you don’t get bored and so you will continue to lose weight.

Losing weight with exercise machines works because you can work different muscles with different machines. Instead of just targeting one part of the body you can target them all. You can not only get a good cardio workout on exercise machines, you can work each individual group of muscles so you lose weight and tone up at the same time. Doing pushups and sit ups will get boring in a hurry, but when you are constantly changing machines you will feel like you are making progress and you may even catch yourself having fun.

Luckily, losing weight with exercise machines is the goal of many different fitness centers that have opened up in the last few years. Many of these centers offer a few different exercise machines and they help you develop a program where you will rotate from one machine to another for a 30 minute period. After 30 minutes you will have used all of the machines, worked all of your muscle groups, burned fat and calories, and then you’ll be on your way. These exercise programs are so fast paced and scheduled that you don’t get board so you can keep hammering away at those pounds, reaching your weight loss goals in less time that you would have ever thought possible.

Losing weight with exercise machines work, but it only works as well as you are willing to work hard. If you are not willing to put any effort into losing weight you could have all of the gym memberships and all of the equipment in the world and you wouldn’t lose an ounce. If you are willing to put some work into it, you will find with the help of the machines that you are able to shed the pounds quite easily and effectively.

Heather thinks the Bowflex Revolution or the Bowflex Tread Climber are great machines to start with. Check them out today!

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Elliptical Machine Workouts – What Are the Advantages of Choosing Ellipticals Over Other Machines?

February 3rd, 2010


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Admittedly, fitness enthusiasts have various exercise equipment to choose from nowadays. You have the indoor rowing machines, the treadmills, the stair climbers, the stationary bikes and the elliptical trainers. Of all these machines, the elliptical trainers are the best of the bunch for many reasons.

Low-Impact Exercise

We are all worried about lessening the impact on our joints. After all, stresses and injuries to these parts of our bodies will leave us feeling less than able to perform our daily activities, even something as ordinary as walking. And so, we always find ways to either choose the exercise with the lesser impact or make a high-impact exercise less injurious through proper attire, proper technique and proper use of equipment.

If you choose to go the first route, the elliptical trainer is the best exercise machine for this purpose. It is a very low-impact exercise because your feet never leave the comfort and safety of the foot pedals, thus, significantly lessening the load off the weight-bearing joints.

Whole Body Exercise

Unlike the other machines, the elliptical trainer provides for a total body workout. This is possible because your lower body is being exercised by the movements of the foot pedal while the upper body is being developed through the handlebars. Of course, the lower body takes most of the exercise benefits since 70 percent of the power to perform the exercise comes from it. The upper body provides the 30 percent, said ratio of which cannot be said of the exercise machines like the stair climbers and treadmills.

You may also choose to either concentrate solely on the lower body or increase the intensity of the exercise for the upper body. If you choose the former, you can do away with the handlebars, thus, placing more pressure on your lower limbs to carry the whole exercise. If you opt for the latter, then you can substitute the handlebars with hand weights for added weight. Just be sure to swing your arms in time with your steps on the elliptical machine to keep your balance.

Whether you choose to opt for a whole body workout or focus on the lower body or place greater emphasis on the upper body, you are assured that you are getting the best cardio workout possible. In the process, you are burning more fat and calories, toning more muscles and improving your cardiovascular health.

Lesser Perceived Effort

Furthermore, you get all the above benefits will less perceived effort. Simply put, it is the elliptical trainer user’s perception that he is exerting lesser effort on the exercise and yet somehow feeling the burn faster and more intensely than had he exercised on the treadmill harder and for a longer period of time.

The result is that you will be more motivated to put in the extra minutes and the extra intensity to the elliptical trainer exercise. Ultimately, you will benefit in the form of more fats and calories burned.

With all these superior exercise benefits that elliptical trainers provide, it is no wonder then that these exercise machines are considered the best in the fitness industry in its category.

The best elliptical trainer for you is easier to find than you think. Visit http://www.1-stop-fitness.com/ to learn more.

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Quick Weight Loss Tips For Using Elliptical Machines

January 17th, 2010

For the majority of fitness enthusiasts who use elliptical machines, they just see the equipment as another means of being able to perform cardiovascular exercise. What they don’t realise is the huge potential that ellipticals have for quick weight loss. These machines can have you shedding up to 14lbs in just one month if used correctly along with a good workout plan.

1. The first of my quick weight loss tips for using elliptical machines.

 

Most elliptical machines on the market which you may use at home or in the gym have dual action foot pedals and handle bars. It is very important that you make use of this, using both arms and legs during your workout. This means the entire body is being used and the heart has to pump faster which ultimately optimises your calorie burn for shedding fat.

 

2. The second of my quick weight loss tips for using elliptical machines.

 

Not only should you be performing total body workouts but if you are fortunate to be using elliptical machines with reverse motion, by all means use it. Reverse motion allows you to target muscles that you would not normally use in forward motion. As you are not used to using these muscles you may struggle at first but with the more muscles you are working, the more calories you will burn during a workout.

 

3. The third of my quick weight loss tips for using elliptical machines.

 

Just like with running, there are different forms of training that can be performed on elliptical machines to boost calorie burn and weight loss. Interval training has been proven to be a very effective method. . By alternating moderate with high intensity bursts at intervals of 1-2 minutes, you are not only mixing up the workout but your body is also burning stored fat to supply the heart with more energy.

 

4. The fourth of my quick weight loss tips for using elliptical machines.

 

Make use of power inclines and resistance settings. Many new elliptical machines come with power inclines. This feature allows you to work the backs of your legs but just like with walking up hills or even up stairs, this is an exercise that will have the body working overtime to burn calories. The greater the resistance the harder the body has to work. Which is why even if you are working at no incline, a higher resistance setting will effectively burn more fat.

 

I think it is clear from my quick weight loss tips that by fully utilising the features on elliptical machines and really working your complete body during workouts, you have the biggest advantage at burning more calories and shedding unwanted fat. By performing these workouts daily, you can be well on your way to a perfectly toned body.

Simon P is currently the author of http://www.elliptical-machines.net and is dedicated to providing fresh information and product reviews on everything about elliptical machines. Affordable for the home, they produce amazing weight loss results. Click here for more FREE information. You have nothing to lose but weight!

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Fitness & Working Out : What Muscles Do Elliptical Machines Work?

January 11th, 2010

An elliptical machine works the heart and lungs the most, but it also works the quads, butt, calves and arms, depending on the difficulty level set on the machine. Discover the muscle groups that get the best workout on the elliptical machine with healthy tips from a certified sports performance nutrition adviser in this free video on fitness.

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Elliptical and Treadmill Machines – 5 Killer Reasons You Should Avoid!

January 2nd, 2010

Do you know elliptical and treadmills are one of the least effective ways of working out? In fact, there are many much more effective fat burning workout than using the boring elliptical machine or treadmill.

However, if you are enjoying what you are doing with your ellipticals and treadmills, I suggest you stick to it. The reason is simple…most people will likely keep their exercise routine more consistently when they really enjoy what they are doing!

In reality, be warned that you are actually wasting your time with these boring cardio machines. I personally do not believe cardio machines as the best option of work out routine at all.

You can actually do body exercises with dumbbell and kettle swings, clean and presses for a good warm up before working out. In fact, here are 5 reasons why cardio machines are just too dreadful!

1. Ineffective Way to Workout!

You can get yourself into more motivating forms of exercise that are more effective in stimulating fat-burning hormonal response and increased your metabolism to a greater level.

2. Insanely Expensive & Waste of Money

Some of these machines can cost up to a thousand or more! You can use so many better things for your workout at home rather than wasting your money on these expensive bulky machines.

3. Studies Have Shown Less Effective

There are studies that have indicate running outdoor is actually more effective than using a treadmill. The reason is simple…due to the abnormalities on the treadmill. You also burn more calories with outdoor running.

4. Mind/Body Disconnect

You achieved poor results when you are not concentrating on your exercise routine while doing stuff such as watching television or reading magazines or newspaper.

5. Mind Numbing Boring

These workout machines are just simply too dull and boring to use.

If you want to burn your body fat faster using the more exciting way, Click Here Now to read tons of FREE tips and advice!

For dozens more unique workout and diet ideas go to Exercise Diet Tips!

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Elliptical Machines – Get in Your Best Shape Ever

December 31st, 2009


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You’ve decided to get into shape, so maybe you are thinking an elliptical machine might be the right piece of equipment for you. Take the time to evaluate your needs and budget, and you should be able to narrow down your choices until you find the machine that will give you everything you need at a price you can afford.

Many people all over the world begin exercise programs with the goal of improving their health and fitness levels. For this purpose, treadmills have historically been the most popular piece of exercise equipment for both at home and in traditional gyms. The elliptical cross trainer is newer to the exercise world than the more traditional treadmills and exercise bikes, but ellipticals have gained a large popularity in recent years. Elliptical machines were developed to give an aerobic workout without causing injury that running, jogging, or other workout equipment can cause As such, this type of exercise machine gives you a great cardiovascular workout.

Unlike jogging or running, elliptical trainers provide a total body workout without severely impacting your joints including your knees. However,due to the fact that the greater impact of the treadmill makes you burn more energy, you need to spend more workout time on an elliptical trainer than on a treadmill . The goal of any aerobic exercise is to elevate your heart rate — either in a fat-burning or cardio-conditioning zone and keep it there for the duration of your training session.

The first thing to keep in mind when you are shopping for them is that the elliptical machine was designed for a specific reason -to provide low-impact exercises with great cardiovascular benefits. An elliptical machine works best when you can stand on soft footpads, and hold hand grips that help with balance. It’s important to remember that an elliptical trainer is a 3-dimensional machine and occupies space, so keep in mind the total area that the base of the machine occupies when choosing one for your home.

When experts rate elliptical trainers they usually compare the elliptical trainers within price class. Most machines have a certain number of features and functions, and are obtainable in a wide price range according to your individual needs. If you’re looking for something in a certain price range, a corresponding set of elliptical trainer ratings can be very helpful.

For more information about elliptical trainer benefits, be sure to visit http://ellipticalfitnessshop.com, a popular elliptical fitness site that provides information including elliptical trainer exercise and elliptical reviews.

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Elliptical Machines for a Healthy Heart

December 30th, 2009

Elliptical machines are designed to elevate the heart rate rather than build muscle. A passionate jogger or runner is better off using a treadmill. If you are not thinking about running a marathon, but just want a workout that is cardio effective and builds endurance, the elliptical machine is made for you. This type of equipment is great for seniors who need less impact on their joints while exercising. They are is ideal for those rehabilitating themselves after accident or injury. They offer lower impact exercise than a treadmill, and utilize many different muscles in a workout.

Elliptical machines allow the user to select the intensity of their workout. This is accomplished with incline and resistance, and also it also allows you to go in forward or reverse while pedaling. Some machines provide an upper body workout as well as a lower body workout. The upper body exercise is accomplished with handles similar to a ski machine. If compared to a stationary bike, the elliptical trainer provides a weight bearing exercise. Weight bearing exercise is important in the prevention of osteoporosis. They are used in an upright standing position while holding the left and right handles. However, unlike the treadmill, your feet stay in the foot pedals for the duration of the workout regimen. This results in low impact exercise for the hips, back, and knees.

The low impact cardiovascular exercise offered by an this type of equipment is achieved with a smooth and natural motion (elliptical). Most machines offer upper and lower body workouts (some budget models do not offer upper body components). An elliptical machine is likely to have fewer mechanical problems than a treadmill because of low impact and less moving parts. Elliptical machines strengthen your heart with continual use, and reduce your chance of heart problems in the future.

Please visit Home Exercise Equipment for more articles and reviews on exercise equipment for your home.

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Squat Machines – Taking Squats to Another Level

December 23rd, 2009

Squats can become a test of strength and endurance, proving to be a lot of hard work especially for beginners. That’s why we have squat machines. They are used to help us in doing squat exercises to tone and develop our leg muscles. Usually, they consist of back rests, handles, and foot rests that are in different positions depending on the type of squat they are designed for. Most of them are made of steel tubing with padded seats and they are not just for strength trainers and weightlifters, because they can also be used with any kind of exercise program.

Different squat machines

Choose your ideal squat machine depending on your exercise needs, levels of strength, and the space you have in your home or gym.

The leverage squat machine has no back rests and it consists only of a weight bars located over the shoulder area and a tilted foot rest. In using this type of squat machine, you are squatting standing up with your calves tilted from the foot rest, and then pulling into a squat with the weight bar on the shoulders.

The hack squat machine is made up of a back rest tilted some 45 degrees backward, foot rests, and handles. Weights are placed over the handles serving as additional resistance to the squat . This is commonly used for leg presses.

The squat smith machine is composed of a barbell that is being supported by two vertical bars. In using the machine, you are standing up with your feet flat on the floor and your back kept straight when performing the squats.

Choose comfort and resistance

Squat machines should be easy and comfortable to use, and therefore, should be adjustable and well-padded. Choose also a machine with ample resistance for an effective workout.

More information

A complete Guide to SQUAT MACHINES is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

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