Which Elliptical Trainer is Right for You?

March 13th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

If you want more of a full body workout you should try an elliptical trainer. An elliptical trainer combines an upper and lower body workout. Prices for an elliptical trainer can run you a few hundred dollars to over $5,000. Below are just a few elliptical trainers in the $1,000 - $1,500 price range.

Sole #55 Elliptical trainers sell for $1,500. You get a machine equipped with a heavy 30 lb flywell, a long 20″ stride, and a wireless heart rate control. It will hold up to 350 lbs, includes 16 resistance levels, fixed incline and has a built-in cooling fan and water bottle holder. There are also 5 year parts and 2 year labor warranties available.

New Balance 9.0e Elliptical Trainer sells for around $1,000 and has a very solid feel and comfortable motion. Some of the features are a window LCD display, allowing you to get multiply readings all at once. It will hold up to 300 lbs and the LCD display shows calories burned, distance traveled, pulse monitor, speed and time. The 9.0e has adjustable resistance handle bars, linked arm work out, is programmable, and features water bottle holder. The elliptical has a 10 year frame, 2 year electronics and a 1 year parts warranty.

Sole CE 3.2 Elliptical Trainer runs for $1,500 and is only sold online passing the savings on to you. The CE 3.2 is reliable and the technology combines for a smooth ride every time. Some of the features are a heavy duty flywheel that increases a smooth ride. The trainer automatically adjusts resistance as it monitors your heart rate, LED display allows you to read course profiles, speed, distance, heart rate, calories and resistance levels. Supports up to 300 lbs., features 16 resistance levels and the roller-less design is smooth and silent. The Sole CE 3.2 has a lifetime frame, lifetime braking system, 3 years parts, and 1 year service warranty.

You want to choose an elliptical trainer that fits your stride. You want one that has an elongated elliptical motion and not a circular motion. You also want to look for stability. You don’t want one that is gong to rock back and forth as you workout. If you see a warranty for 90-day part and labor chances are the manufacture knows they will not last much longer then the coverage period. The better the warranty, the more faith the company has in the durability of their machine.

Tags : Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Crosstrainer

How To Build Your Own Inexpensive Home Gym

March 12th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

Commercial gyms are fine - they have all the equipment that you could ever need and usually it’s the best and newest on the market, there’s no family stuff to distract you from your workout, and if you’re in a staffed gym, you’ll have trainers to help you out and give you advice.

Still, there are advantages to having a home gym as well. You don’t have far to travel. You don’t have to compete for equipment or wait for it to free up. You can train whenever you want - if you’re a night person, you can train at 3:00 am if you so desire. And you have no monthly or annual gym fees.

So let’s say you decide that it would be really nice to have a home gym. How do you go about building one?

First you have to find a location for your gym. It’s probably not feasible, unless you’re a professional athlete to construct an actual gym building. What is more likely is that you will choose an existing area somewhere in your home and convert it into a gym area. So what are your choices?

The three most obvious choices are the garage, the basement, or a spare room in the house. When choosing a location keep in mind what type of exercise equipment you’re going to have in your gym. For example, if you plan on having a treadmill in your gym, you are going to need quite a bit of space. However, if you decide to go with a multi-purpose gym, you can get by with less floor space.

If you have a garage but no car, the garage is a perfect spot. It has concrete floors so if you have heavy equipment, you don’t have to worry about damaging your indoor floors. If you decide to locate your gym inside the home, you might think about installing rubber flooring which is used in many health clubs and exercise gyms. The main benefits of rubber flooring are that it will dramatically decrease the noise levels so you won’t disturb others in the house. In addition, however, they are also slip resistance (there’s nothing worse than having slick floors in your gym area), easy to maintain, and extremely durable.

Another good option if you’re building your gym inside your home is to install wall padding. Again, soundproofing is the main benefit. But it also helps to protect your walls and doors.

Now it’s time to start selecting your gym equipment. Hand weights and ankle weights are always a good first choice. whether you’re looking to get in shape or simply to stay in shape, hand and ankle weights give your a ton of flexible options. You can build your exercise routines solely around them or you can include them in the exercises that you already do to add resistance. Metal weights are the best and will last forever, and if your floor is padded, you don’t have to worry too much about damaging it.

A flat bench is especially good for upper body exercises such as the arm, shoulder, and chest muscles. But they can be used for a number of other exercises as well and a flat bench doesn’t take up a lot of space.

An exercise mat or pad will provide comfort for you while you do sit ups, stretches, and other toning exercises.

And finally, a fitness ball is a very versatile piece of exercise equipment. You can do upper body exercises. But you can also do balancing exercises. And with the right exercises, it can be great for building six pack abs.

Thanks To : Gazelle Freestyle Elliptical trainer Elliptical Trainer

Benefits Of Elliptical Trainers - How To Use An Elliptical Trainer To Increase Your Fitness Level

March 12th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

Exercise should be considered as an integral part of our daily activity. Elliptical trainers are common among people who make use of their elliptical exercise equipments. Elliptical trainers may still be new to many exercise enthusiasts. But you cannot ignore the benefits of these elliptical trainers. Elliptical exercise equipments are referred as elliptical trainers as these equipments indirectly take the role of trainers and put things into accordance. Beginners may find it difficult in the initial stages, but in due course of time they get into the fitness style easily and adapt it as a routine. Once accustomed to elliptical trainers, you cannot miss a day out of the regular schedule of workouts.

Here, we would like to highlight the apt reasons for an elliptical unit to be effective. During the busy schedule in everyday responsibilities squeezing enough time for exercises is highly impossible for most of us. But if it is available with less strain and in lesser time, every one would like to opt for it. The only solution is the elliptical exercise machine. These machines possess the capacity of activating both the parts of the body; the upper as well as the lower in just about 20 minutes time. Positively you can spare this time for the fitness of your body. Elliptical machines are perfect machines to acquire training as they are injury free. These elliptical machines are advantageous to senior citizens also who like to maintain their fitness level with safety. These machines are not only for fit people but also are of great relief to people who are recovering from injuries.

The essential health benefits of using elliptical trainers are the heart rate is elevated quickly permitting a perfect cardiovascular workout. The heart muscle gets strengthened by consistent workouts and reduces the risks of heart attacks or strokes. The metabolic rate also gets enhanced due to the increased heart rate. This is achieved by burning extra calories and fats. The weight is lost unnoticed and makes your body fit and healthy. One of the major additional benefits is that there is no additional skill required. It is very simple and convenient to use. Recently, elliptical workout equipments are available with preset programs facilitating you to select and adjust the workout routine to your convenience. It tones your muscles in the legs, arms, and the abdominal muscles gain strength as well.

With the fitness craze and advancement of technologies, numerous machines are manufactured to cater the demands of the fitness conscious. Elliptical trainers are gaining much prominence. The major reason for their popularity is that they burn calories with ease. The impact is less and the result is best. These equipments are recommended for people recovering from injuries as well. The entire body gets activated due to the movement. As it works on the whole body, the heart rate elevates easily making the body more energetic and efficient. Adjusting to the intensity of the workout is one of the best reasons for choosing elliptical trainers. Purchasing an elliptical trainer demands high investment. Hesitating to spend more and opting to purchase cheaper elliptical trainers will cost your health. So while planning to purchase an elliptical trainer it is wise to take referrals, reviews, and test rides into priority before purchase.

Recommend : LifeSpan EL3000i Elliptical trainer Gazelle Edge Elliptical trainer Lifecore LC 985VG Elliptical trainer

Resistance Systems For Elliptical Trainers

March 11th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

Treadmills and stationary bikes have various levels of difficulty and resistance in order to fulfill the needs of a variety of people in a variety of stages of fitness. As you work out more and more and become more fit, you need to gradually increase the effort you put into each workout. In addition to that, in order to get the most from your workout, it is best to increase the speed or energy you are expending throughout the workout, and slow it back down to cool off.

When you are just walking or riding a regular bike, you can control this easily, by changing the terrain (ie, going up a hill) or changing the speed. Elliptical trainers are no different. There is a wide variety of models on the market, all of which come with a different resistance system. The differences in the resistance system affects the price of the elliptical trainers, as well as the type of workout you are going to receive.

The different resistance systems of elliptical trainers can be categorized in three ways: magnetic resistance, electromagnetic or particle brake system, and the eddy-current resistance system. The cheapest is the manually adjusted magnetic resistance system, and you will typically find those in elliptical trainers that are under four hundred dollars.

The particle brake resistance system for elliptical trainers does not have to be manually adjusted, and it can be programmed, but it does respond slowly when you are trying to adjust it. The best system is the eddy-current system, which has a chrome-plated flywheel with a very fast rpm speed. These are the most expensive, but it is a totally silent resistance system.

My Links : Gazelle Freestyle Elliptical trainer

Find the Best Elliptical Trainer to Fit Your Needs

March 11th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

If you are looking to get your body and heart into shape, investing in an elliptical trainer is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps to improve not only the shape and strength of the muscles in your body, but it can increase your flexibility and help you to lose weight as well, so whatever your fitness needs are you can find the best elliptical trainer for your needs.

Depending on your budget, you have a variety of options when it comes to purchasing elliptical trainers. If you do not know what the extras are that you may need, chances are that you might not need them. The more of the extra features that you choose for your elliptical trainer, the more expensive it is going to be. The extra features make the end result of owning your elliptical trainer even greater, and of course that must cost extra. Depending on how much you want to pay for your elliptical trainer, you may be able to score an adjustable incline level or even an adjustable resistance package, to increase the benefit of the workout with your elliptical trainer. There are even some models that come equipped with arm handles, adding the upper body element to your elliptical trainer workout.

When you are looking at purchasing an elliptical trainer, you want to spend as much as you can afford to spend on an elliptical trainer, within reason. If you are a fitness novice, you do not need a $3,000 elliptical trainer, however noble your fitness intentions are. Chances are you will waste $2,500 of your hard earned dollars on the elliptical trainer that you bought because you won’t know how to use the extras.

Also, when you are trying to find the best elliptical trainer for yourself, make sure that it fits your non-fitness needs as well. If you have twin babies, a loud whirring elliptical does not make much practical sense if you plan on working off that baby weight between feedings. Also, think about the size of the elliptical trainers you are looking at purchasing. Normally, the more advanced and expensive elliptical trainers are larger, so by keeping your budget down you might also be able to keep your budget down as well. If you have a small apartment, it does not make sense to spend thousands of dollars purchasing a huge piece of workout equipment that will take up the space a King sized bed should.

Finding the best elliptical trainer for your needs shouldn’t be too difficult, with some good sound shopping. Keep your budget and realistic needs in mind at all times and you can’t do wrong!

Tags : Sole E55 Elliptical trainer

Tips on Buying a Reebok Elliptical Trainer Machine

March 10th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

The Reebok Elliptical Trainer is one of the brands manufactured by Icon Health and Fitness, a huge company specializing in the manufacture of high-end exercise machine brands like the Nordic Track, ProForm, Weslo, Image, and Healthrider. They licensed the name from the Reebok brand that manufactures high-quality shoes and apparels. This is a wise marketing move from Icon because their fitness equipment carry the good reputation built by the apparels company.

Before you decide on buying the Reebok Elliptical Trainer, here are a few tips to help you make the right choices in your plan to purchase an elliptical trainer. The first to be considered is the price of the elliptical trainer. Reebok comes with a few elliptical trainers for you to choose from, depending on your budget and needs. There are cheap types of elliptical trainers from Reebok that you can buy, however, the quality of this machine may be compromised because of its low price. Add to this is the short warranty offered by the manufacturer which reflects their doubt as to whether or not this machine can last a year or longer. This is where the durability of the machine is being considered.

There are also some types of Reebok Elliptical Trainer that are expensive but in return gives you the assurance of having a sturdy workout machine that could last for years. These machines are highly competitive against other brands of fitness equipments. There are also additional features that will make your workout program more enjoyable and fun. Just remember that decent products come in high prices.

You can also check online reviews made by the consumers themselves. Generally, there is a mixed opinion as to whether or not the Reebok Elliptical Trainer can be trusted with your workout program. Others still want other brands not because of their prices but because they personally feel that the Reebok Elliptical Trainer is not the brand made for them. Since you are the one who will be using this machine, it is important to determine if you think you will feel comfortable with this brand of elliptical trainer. If you think that the Reebok Elliptical Trainer provides all your needs in your exercise regimen, then perhaps this brand is meant for you. Since Reebok offers both low and high priced elliptical trainers, then there is not much problem in choosing the Reebok Elliptical Trainer that would suit your budget.

Thanks To : Schwinn 430 Elliptical trainer

How To Compare Ratings On Different Elliptical Trainers On The Market

March 10th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

Ratings for elliptical trainers are not a one-size-fits-all sort of standard. Ratings can tell you which of these machines are right for you based on your fitness level and the features that you are most interested in having. There are many sources for these ratings. One such source is Consumer Search. This ratings system uses a combination of ratings from other ratings makers such as Consumer Reports and other ratings sources.

The elliptical trainer that was rated as the best for entry-level buyers was the Spirit XE 350. This machine is less expensive than other trainers, such as the Precor, but it has lots of features. It has ten exercise programs that you can customize to your fitness level and preferences. This includes upper body work, which is not available on them. It can hold a person weighing up to 325 pounds.

The Precor EFX 5.17i was rated as the best overall in elliptical trainers. This is an entry-level trainer, certainly. However, it has some advantages that reviewers find preferable to many elliptical trainers in all classes. One of those advantages is its twenty different levels of resistance. It also has a large degree of adjustability in its incline. The steepness can be set anywhere from 12 to 25 degrees. One unusual feature of the Precor EFX 5.17i is that it is said to have no limit on its weight capacity. People who are heavy and just beginning to exercise should have no problem starting with this machine. Unlike the Spirit XE 350, it does not offer the means for an upper body workout.

The Precor EFX 5.33 model, on the other hand, is rated as an excellent club-quality elliptical trainer. There are fourteen programs available, some of which you can set yourself or are heart-rate controlled. This machine supplies the tools for an upper body workout. It, too, has twenty different fitness levels. The incline is fixed, at 20 degrees. One thing that makes this a club quality trainer is that it has a ten year warranty on parts with one full year on labor. There is a lifetime warranty on the frame itself. This machine has no weight limits, either.

The Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A is rated as one of the best budget ranged ones. In the budget lines, manufacturers do not often give more than a 90-day warranty. However, the Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A allows for a full one year of parts and labor. It does have some good features for a budget model. It has twelve programs on it - ten preset and two programs that are controlled by your heart rate. It is supposed to be able to hold 275 pounds, but it is a lightweight model, so it is not as stable as the more expensive elliptical trainers.

You can get ratings for different ones from many sources. Some people like to go directly to Consumer Reports or Consumer Guide. These ratings may vary, as the different reviewers are more impressed by different features of the elliptical trainers. The best course of action is to read several reviews and compare them all.

Recommend : Schwinn 420 Elliptical trainer Sole E25 Elliptical trainer LifeSpan EL3000i Elliptical trainer

Elliptical Reviews of 3 Great Trainers

March 10th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

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.

See Also : Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Crosstrainer Sole E35 Elliptical trainer Elliptical Trainer

An Elliptical Trainer

March 9th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

The trend these days is to lose weight fast, a drastic action that brings the numbers down and let you start fresh, but we all know that you need to keep working out and keeping an eye on what you eat if you want to maintain what you have earned during your diet.

The elliptical trainer is an exercise equipment that is an developed and upgraded kind of gym machine, it is built with the purpose to stimulate the muscles involved in aerobic exercise like running or walking but is planned in such a way that it eliminates the pressure usually placed on different joints in the body so that only the muscles are working and the pressure is not involved, this eliminates the risk of damage to the joints or injuries as a result of this activity.

The huge benefits for the elliptical trainer user is that this machine is perfect for cardiovascular exercise and will not only help workout with a significant decrease of injury risk but also help to focus on the part you are interested in developing. The elliptical trainer is designed to develop the upper and lower body of the person using it, by using a special movable upper body trainer installed.

Most of the elliptical trainers on the market are planned to increase heart rate more than they are directed at developing muscle mass and power, much like the treadmill these machines have been found to have superior ability in increasing the users fitness and are also very effective in calorie expenditure, which means that the elliptical trainer is one of the most practical machines you can use if you want to loss weight and workout as you do it. The uniqueness of the elliptical trainer is that it is almost without risk of any orthopedic injury, and you avoid the risks involved in pressure on any parts of your body.

The market has many different models of the elliptical trainer and it is very important to decide on what features you need before you even start shopping, there is also a wide range of prices for the elliptical trainer, but we can confidently say that overall this is not a cheap machine to buy.

Some elliptical trainers have an electric option to them, adding a lot of more options that you may want to use, if you plan to use the trainer a lot you may want to consider purchasing one that has some advanced features like setup programs and work different groups of muscles, as well as monitor your advancement over time. If you are interested in just getting some kind of workout machine for your home you probably need a less sophisticated machine, but it is a shame to buy something you are going to use on a daily basis only to discover that other models have features that you could have benefited from with a moderate addition to what you spent, and this is the prime reason you should research this market before buying a machine.

So do your homework, decide on what features are important to you, make sure your purchase is covered, and enjoy your elliptical trainer.

My Links : Gazelle Freestyle Elliptical trainer

Horizon Elliptical Trainer Review

March 9th, 2010 by michaeljohnson

Horizon elliptical trainers are inexpensive machines designed for the budget-minded. They compete heavily in the $500-$1,000 price range with brands like ProForm and Nordic Track. Before I proceed with this review, I must state that I am never comfortable recommending elliptical trainers for less than $1,000. They generally are equipped with cheap components, and are not well engineered. Spending $1,000 or less is not going to buy you a precision machine. That is evident when you test the Horizon elliptical trainers.

Most of my fitness equipment testing is at stores like Dick’s Sporting or Sports Authority. Testing equipment in these mass retail environments can be very revealing. That is due to the fact these machines are abused. You get a real sense of the durability of a particular model.

My experience is that the Horizon elliptical trainers do not hold up well under strenuous use. At least half the machines I tested had loose handlebars. Of course, all you have to do is tighten them, but few other machines had that problem. Some of the Horizon ellipticals developed squeaks, while others seemed less than stable. I

Small Stride Lengths

My biggest complaint about the Horizon elliptical trainers is the stride. Although this is not true with all their machines, I find many have a very small stride. I am average height, and when I get on the lower cost Horizon ellipticals, the stride seems short and restricting. It is less of an elliptical motion, and more circular. You tend to bounce. This is particularly true with the ellipticals that have the 14″ stride. They are designed for little people. The 18″ stride machines are preferable.

If you are shopping for a Horizon elliptical trainer, you will notice they have numerous models. They sell in two series, the Elite and the Horizon. On their web site, I counted 13 models. On Dick’s Sporting Goods site, I counted several more models that are not listed on the Horizon site.

If you were considering purchasing a Horizon, I would recommend staying away from the low-end models. Consider the CSE 4.6 or the EX44. Both are available at Dick’s, and have 18″ strides, with a nice range of resistance levels. Call first to see if the store in your area carries these models. You may also want to consider an extended warranty, particularly if you plan to use the machine extensively.

So should you purchase a Horizon elliptical trainer? It depends! If your budget is limited and you cannot spend more than $1,000, the Horizon is definitely a contender, and one of the better values. However, if you plan to workout regularly, and want quality and durability, you need to move up to the $1,500+ price range.

Related : Sole E25 Elliptical trainer Sole E55 Elliptical trainer