Posts Tagged ‘Trainers’

Elliptical Trainers – Are They Any Good?

March 17th, 2010

Elliptical trainers are great tool for providing both a strength and cardio-vascular workout and offer a form of exercise that is easy to pick up and has great benefits. As an exercise equipment elliptical trainers are a relatively new cardiovascular machine. They combine a running or walking motion with a stair climbing motion. These machines feature pedals that can be moved either frontward or backward in a circular motion. Elliptical trainers are used for a whole body workout that usually works the larger muscle groups. Elliptical trainers are also known as cross trainers.

Elliptical trainers are an excellent selection if you have joint problems, because they provide a low impact yet efficient workout. There is actually some evidence that elliptical trainers provide more calorie burn for overweight people than treadmills and or stationary bicycles. When simulating walking or running, they reduce the pressure on joints to reduce the risk of injury. They provide an excellent workout for people wanting to tone muscle, increase strength, and maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness. They are also especially useful for those people that have problems that other fitness equipment like running machines can give.

When you use an elliptical trainer and you use the upper handle bars you are working your upper body areas as well. Compared to a treadmill, where there is no upper body work out. There are a number of variants of elliptical trainer those, all have a flywheel but the resistance comes in a couple of forms; Belt tension (usually on the cheaper models) and magnetic resistance on the better models. Magnetic tension is much smoother and quieter than the belt tension machine. Look for a machine that offers this feature at the push of a button. You don’t want to lose your momentum, while changing gear.

Elliptical trainers are great for improving balance and posture. By using the elliptical without holding onto the handgrips, the user can improve his or her motor fitness and balance. In this position, the core muscles are held in a state of constant tension.

For more info about choosing elliptical trainers visit http://www.ellipticaltrainersonline.net

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Elliptical Comparison – What To Look At When Comparing Elliptical Trainers

January 29th, 2010


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If you’re buying an elliptical, you’ll want to make several elliptical comparisons and get the best deal. Enter the Internet. With the knowledge you can find online, buyers can get a much better deal than they used to get at their local department store.

So what do you need to know when making elliptical comparisons? While the elliptical market is getting more crowded each year, there are some simple things you can look for to find the best value models.

This article will give you 7 main features to look at when you compare elliptical trainers along with where to make easy elliptical comparisons.

1) Stride Length – This is essentially the farthest distance between the pedals during the elliptical motion. Stride length ranges on ellipticals from 12 to 21 inches.

Stride length is important as a short stride length doesn’t fully work your leg muscles and doesn’t give you as effective a workout as longer stride ellipticals. Cheaper ellipticals usually offer a 12 to 15 inch stride.

For the average height person an 18 inch stride is good. Taller people may prefer a 20 inch stride and shorter people may prefer a 16 to 18 inch stride.

2) Upper Body Workout Arms – Most people want the option to work their arms while exercising. This helps provide resistance training for your upper body so you burn more calories and get a better workout overall. This feature is found on most elliptical trainers however on some – even the higher end ones – it is not available.

You also want to make sure you don’t have to lean over while using the bars which can diminish the effectiveness of your workout (this can happen on many of the cheaper elliptical models which don’t have the proper arm to leg pedal ratio).

3) Weight Capacity – The user weight capacity is a great indicator of the stability of the elliptical trainer. For example, a 250 lb user weight capacity may mean that it can take up to 250 lbs however it is not nearly as stable as one with a 350 lb user weight capacity.

The 250 lb elliptical also probably won’t hold up as well if you want to pick up your pace. Highly stable elliptical trainers will have higher user weight capacities (depending on your weight this could be 300 lbs and up).

4) Warranty – While warranties range for different elliptical trainers, you want to choose an elliptical with at least a one year parts warranty – preferably longer.

Just like user weight capacity, the length of the warranty is another indicator of the quality of parts used to build the elliptical machine. A longer warranty indicates a higher quality of elliptical construction.

5) Console: – While there are a range of different options here, it really depends on you. Do you want to see calories burned, speed, time, distance, heart rate? Do you want to see them all simultaneously?

One thing to watch for is that the console is well lit so you can read it while you exercise. Many cheaper ellipticals are hard to read, especially if the lighting in your workout area is not the best.

6) Resistance – Resistance is basically how hard your legs have to push during the elliptical motion. Resistance gives you more of a challenge while you workout and can help you ramp up your calorie burn or work intervals into your workout.

Most elliptical trainers do offer a range of resistance levels. Look for a trainer that makes resistance changes simple (i.e. one-touch resistance adjustment).

7) Price – Ellipticals range in price from $300 to $3000. It’s up to you what you pay but just keep in mind that with elliptical trainers – price usually reflects quality – you do get what you pay for.

Economy priced ellipticals (under $800) are simply not built as well as higher quality ellipticals in the $900+ range and this can end up costing you in repairs, injury and less effective workouts.

Finally, when buying your elliptical trainer, remember to consider everyone who will be using it, their weight capacity, workout preferences and fitness goals.

By knowing these facts when making elliptical comparisons, you’re way ahead of 99% of most elliptical buyers and well prepared to choose the best elliptical for you.

Vienna Miller writes for Elliptical Comparison – offering easy elliptical comparison charts & reviews.

Visit http://www.EllipticalMachineReview.com to compare ellipticals by price, stride, value & more.

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Elliptical Trainers : Elliptical Trainers: Form & Posture

January 20th, 2010

When working out on an elliptical trainer, stand straight and keep a nice posture to strengthen the core muscles of the body. Practice good form and posture with tips from a personal trainer in this free video on elliptical trainers. Expert: Hank Odluski Bio: Hank Odluski has been a personal trainer for over 10 years at The Basic Gym, which is located on 1584 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, Calif. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

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Remanufactured Elliptical Trainers

January 15th, 2010

Quality elliptical trainers that provide a quality workout and have a reliable performance record are generally expensive. In fact we recommend that you consider paying at least $1000.00 and preferably $1200.00 for an elliptical trainer. This generally assures that you will have a good quality elliptical machine. It is the old pay me now or pay me later situation and cost is an indicator of quality when it comes to fitness equipment.

Remanufactured elliptical trainers can be a viable option when considering top end cross trainers. A great example is the Life Fitness CT9500HRR remanufactured cross trainer. This is a top end elliptical trainer that is designed for in home or light commercial use. New list price for this top end elliptical trainer is $4995.00. As you can see this not a cheap piece of fitness equipment, however a good quality remanufactured CT9500HRR sells for about $2999.95. That is a serious savings of about $2000.00 for what we feel is a good elliptical machine.

Buying an elliptical trainer that is this expensive can cause you to have second thoughts but again you get what you pay for. Just head over the local fitness center, gym or YMCA and ask them what they are paying for their equipment and you will quickly understand what a deal this unit is. The Life Fitness CT9500HRR Crosstrainer has been remanufactured by Global Fitness, a Los Angeles-based company that refurbishes and re-sells exercise equipment from the industry’s most trusted names.

We recently had the opportunity to test the CT9500HRR remanufacture cross trainer that was purchase by a condo association for use by its members. We had previously used the CT9500HR that was in relatively new condition and thus were familiar with its operation. We also interviewed the manager of the condo association to find out if there were any problems with the remanufactured Life Fitness CT9500HRR. The association had purchased it just two months earlier and had only one minor problem when setting up the elliptical cross trainer. The self generating power system and wheels were especially appreciated features.

Each of our four testers spent an hour on the Life Fitness CT9500HRR. Two of our testers have more than 500 hours on elliptical trainers and are very picky when it comes to performance and features. One of our testers is a large martial artist and weight lifter and is immediate comment was on how sturdy the machine felt to him. Two of the testers thought the console should have been larger or laid out better. One feature we all would have liked to see on a high end cross trainer is the ability to change the incline and thus the stride length. This gives the user a more complete lower body workout. Never the less we all thought the Life Fitness CT9500HRR performed flawlessly.

Warranties are a concern whenever you purchase any piece of fitness equipment. Remanufactured elliptical trainers by Global fitness have a standard 6 month parts and labor warranty and a one year warranty on the motor. The company also has a 30 day return policy without any restocking fee.

If you are serious about acquiring a quality elliptical trainer for your home or office you may want to look at a remanufactured elliptical machine. As always you should do your home work and check out the customer reviews for each elliptical trainer you are considering. We also suggest that you take the machine for a test ride whenever possible. This can be accomplished by visiting your local fitness equipment dealer or fitness center and spending 30 minutes on the each model. Make sure the elliptical machine fits your body and workout style before you take out your credit card. Remember and elliptical trainer is a great way to stay in shape but only if you use it on a regular basis. That means your elliptical trainer has to be reliable and maintenance free.

James Kesel< MS. is the publisher of Elliptical Trainer Information website, We have information on Nautilus, Nordic Track, Life Fitness, ProForm, Tunturi, Schwinn, Reebok, Horizon, Vision elliptical trainers and cross trainers.

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Cheap Clearance Elliptical Trainers

January 13th, 2010


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Purchasing a cheap clearance elliptical trainer can prove to be a risky investment. The elliptical trainer is a complex fitness machine that provides a variety of fitness levels to offer a low impact work out. For this reason, the elliptical trainer must be durable and well built. The elliptical trainer mirrors running and walking somewhat like a treadmill, however the difference is that instead of the foot coming down on a hard surface, the feet move in a smooth, seamless fashion like riding a bike. This eliminates a vast amount of damage to the knees, ankles and joints that a treadmill imposes.

As a consumer when purchasing a cheap clearance elliptical trainer, one must do some research before buying. The amount you need to expect to pay widely depends on if the elliptical is motorized or non-motorized. Other factors include the brand name, the programs available on the machine, and other options that the machine offers. Safety is another issue. A question you need to ask is does this machine have an emergency stop button? If it is a good quality machine, then more than likely it will have this function. Also, one needs to pay attention to the length of stride that the elliptical trainer has to offer. It needs to be a minimum of 20 inches for best effectiveness.

There are many websites that offer cheap clearance ellipticals to purchase. A person just needs to be real aware of the website and make sure it is a reputable website that specializes in fitness equipment. There are some good legitimate deals on cheap clearance ellipticals.

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 Trainers Vs Treadmill – Which One is Best?

January 11th, 2010

So which exercise machine is best: the treadmill or the elliptical trainer?

While treadmills are still the #1 piece of home exercise equipment, elliptical trainers are quickly catching up. This leaves many people wondering ‘Should I buy an elliptical trainer or a treadmill?’

While there are definite differences between the two, it really boils down to you – the buyer. This article lays out the benefits of both the treadmill and the elliptical so you can make an informed decision and choose the best machine for you.

Treadmill Benefits:

· Great for runners, walkers and joggers:
The treadmill is still the machine of choice for those who prefer running, jogging or even walking.
It’s obviously a smarter choice for the dedicated runner/jogger than an elliptical trainer. Plus it can help you train even in the winter months when you don’t want to run outside.

· Suitable for any exerciser:
Walking is a simple form of exercise that anyone can do – from beginner to seasoned athlete. It doesn’t take much coordination.

You don’t have to be supercoordinated to figure out how to use a treadmill whereas elliptical trainers can sometimes be a little tricky to use – especially for beginners.

· Provides workout variety:
A treadmill also provides workout variety of a different kind than the elliptical trainer. A treadmill allows you to walk, run, jog, walk uphill, do intervals and programs. You can even build in upper body handweights to work your arms, back and shoulders.

Elliptical Trainer Benefits:

· Lower impact on your joints than a treadmill:
What is interesting is that this lack of impact on the joints allows the user to burn roughly the same amount of calories as treadmills with the impression of putting out considerably less effort.
So you burn the same amount of calories while feeling like you did less work. (This is called the ‘Rate of Perceived Exertion’)

This lower impact also makes the elliptical trainer a great choice for those with knee or hip problems, the elderly or even rehabilitation patients.

· Provides an overall body workout:
With the dual-action upper body arms as well as the foot pedals, you are getting an overall total body workout. Whereas the treadmill mostly focuses on the lower body, the elliptical works your entire system for an overall cardiovascular workout.

· Excellent workout variety:
One feature that is often overlooked on an elliptical is the opportunity to move in both a forward and backward direction.

When you go backward you are targeting a different set of muscles than when you go forward (hamstrings vs. quadriceps). This helps add variety to your workout and keeps you motivated.

So those are some advantages of both elliptical trainers and treadmills. Is one machine better than the other? It really depends on who you are and what YOU enjoy doing.

Here’s the bottom line:
If you enjoy using a specific exercise machine more than others, you will exercise more often – which means more calories burned, more weight lost and a better body achieved. That is the best exercise machine for you.

One final note: Remember that whichever machine you choose – with exercise equipment you basically get what you pay for. Many people buy cheap equipment and then pay for it later in the form of equipment repairs, joint problems and painful injuries. Make sure you buy a high quality brand name machine with a solid warranty that was built to last.

Kathryn ONeill writes for Elliptical Trainer Reviews a site offering elliptical reviews, ratings and money-saving links.

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

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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 Trainers : Elliptical Trainers: Checking Heart Rate

December 29th, 2009

On an elliptical trainer, check the heart rate by programing the weight and age in the machine’s computer. Check heart rates with tips from a personal trainer in this free video on elliptical trainers. Expert: Hank Odluski Bio: Hank Odluski has been a personal trainer for over 10 years at The Basic Gym, which is located on 1584 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, Calif. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

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Elliptical Trainers and Burning Calories

December 13th, 2009

One of the most frequently asked questions is do the use of elliptical trainers help me burn calories compared to other cardio machines?

With our busy schedules it is completely understandable that you want to get the most results for the time you spend working out.

As you may know how many calories burned during a workout will vary depending upon your weight. A 150 pound woman may only burn 387 calories while a 180 pound man may burn 500 calories on the same machine for the same length of time.

Many elliptical trainer companies say you can burn around 800 calories per hour of elliptical training workout. The following factors dictate how many calories you will actually burn during your workout:

- Workout Duration – This is simply how much time you spend on the specific workout. It is usually recommended that you do it for a half hour to an hour.

- Interval Training – Taking small breaks, followed by a cool down period is recommended for extended workouts.

- Elliptical Tension Settings – These tension settings help you control the intensity of the workout. Using a higher intensity can improve the effects of the workout.

- Current weight – as stated earlier a heavier person will burn more calories than a smaller person.

Are you interested in a few more tips to burn more calories with your elliptical trainer? Below are a few suggestions you can follow to burn more calories.

- Built in interval settings:

Nearly all elliptical trainers offer an incline and or even tension that you are able to increase or even lessen while workout out.

Midway through your workout try increasing the tension or incline to give you an extra push at burning more calories. This can also help raise your calorie burn for a few hours after your workout.

- Utilize Upper Body Arms

Many ellipticals offer you upper body arm blocks that you are able to utilize to build your arms muscles into your workout. Even more muscles worked = even more calories burned. If there are no upper body arms, grab a few of two – five pounds handweights and swing your arms while striding.

-Split your work outs:

Experts are today telling us that two smaller “mini-workouts” can even be better than one long workout as far as how many calories are burned.

Exercise with speed up your metabolism, doing one workout in the morning and one in the evening will give you two metabolism “boosts.”

All in all an elliptical trainer is a great way to burn a ton of calories.

For more information about elliptical trainers view our website below:

http://www.onlyellipticalreviews.com/compact-elliptical.html

Compact Elliptical

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Elliptical Reviews of 3 Great Trainers

December 10th, 2009

The Proform 20.0 Elliptical Review

While almost any elliptical trainer will let you program its different features to customize your workouts, the $800.00 Proform 20.0 not only lets you tailor your exercise routine; it lets you tailor the music to which you listen while your are working out. The Proform 20.0 has both am MP3 player and an iPod with the stereo speakers to make them sound their best, so you can keep movin’ to the beat.

But that speaker system will also let you listen to the Proform 20.0’s personal voice coach who will keep you going as you move through the different stages of your routine. The personal voice coach feature is usually found only on the most expensive Elliptical trainers. And if that weren’t enough, the Proform 20.0 also lets you play interactive games during your routine!

The Smooth CE 3.2 Elliptical Review

This is one elliptical trainer which is perfectly named, with its flywheel operated action among the smoothest available on any elliptical trainer at any price. The flywheel replaces the rollers which are standard on most elliptical trainers, creating a fluid movement which is only enhanced by the Smooth CE 3.2’s advanced brakes and easy stops.

The CE 3.2’s foot pedals let you maintain the correct foot position throughout your workout, and are engineered to minimize the stress on your joints. The machine is also loaded with electronic options, so that you can program your workout to your own specifications. The machine runs slightly more than a thousand dollars, which is not at all high given its may features.

The Sole E95 Elliptical Review

Sole’s elliptical trainers just keep getting better and better, and the Sole E95, at just under two thousand dollars, is no exception. Loaded with comfort-enhancing features, including its remarkable hand grips and adjustable foot pedals, the Sole E95 has not only twenty programs from which to choose, but twenty resistance levels.

And the Sole E95 is so solidly constructed that it can accommodate users of up to an astonishing four hundred pounds, while only a handful of other ellipticals can manage as much as three hundred and fifty. These are just a few of the features which have earned the Sole E95 elliptical reviews from many experts as the best value in its price range.

We’ve provided elliptical reviews on three elliptical machine we think are worthy of a look, and if you research them further, you’ll discover that they are widely regarded as the best values for their costs.

You can also find more info on horizon treadmills Aerobicsmachine.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about aerobics machine.

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