While running is an excellent cardio workout, it isn’t always the most convenient way to exercise. Inclement weather, busy schedules, and joint-problems are just a few inconveniences that can interrupt a jogging schedule.

Working out a home is a great alternative, but it can be terribly disheartening to have to piece together a number of routines (or drag out several pieces of equipment) to get a total-body workout.

A few years ago, the hottest equipment to take the place of jogging were the treadmill and stairmaster. –But those particular pieces of equipment are bulky and usually require dedicated floor space. Treadmills in particular still do not ease the impact that running can have on our knee and ankle joints.

A wonderful alternative that is sweeping through the fitness world is the elliptical trainer. It mimics the jogging motion without requiring you to remove your foot from the pedals. Not only are the movements extremely fluid, but you almost get a sense that you’re gliding, rather than taking steps.

The beauty of an elliptical trainer workout is that it only takes 15 – 20 minutes to get a great workout that includes your shoulders, back, hips, buttocks, thighs, and calves. It’s so easy to squeeze in a quick workout while the kids nap or while we watch our favorite shows.

If you’re looking to buy your own elliptical trainer, you should know that while you can find some great deals online, it’s always best to try the equipment before you buy it. Some models may suit better than others. Just pop by your local fitness equipment store and ask for a demonstration/trial.



Thanks to Elliptical Trainer Guide for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Nordic Track Elliptical Cross Trainer

If you’re in the market to buy an elliptical machine or elliptical trainer, you want to get the very best deal you can find. One of the first things to do is check out the reviews and Consumer Reports magazine is a good place to check to see if they have a recent review. You’ll want to compare features and costs. You can find many reviews, ratings and rankings online too.

Many of the consumer models found in sporting good and big-box type of retail stores can only handle users weighing no more than 115 kg (250 lbs), and cost about $1000 (US) or less. You may have to go online to buy if you need one that will hold more weight.

The elliptical machine is quickly gaining popularity both in and out of the gym. Almost all gyms, fitness clubs and many homes already have their own elliptical machines. Check with your work associates, neighbors and friends to see if they can recommend an elliptical to you.

The elliptical machine is preferred by many because it’s a low or no impact machine making it a perfect choice for people who are suffering from or are recovering from joint problems such as the knees, ankle, hip or back. It provides an excellent aerobic workout with minimal stress on the joints.

If you’ve decided to buy an elliptical machine for your home or home gym you’ll find many different machines and brands. It can be very overwhelming when you’re trying to choose the best machine for you.

The elliptical machine is an excellent choice for home equipment, especially if you do not want the traditional treadmill or exercise bike. You can find plenty of low cost or cheap elliptical machines with a little bit of research online.

Today most of the elliptical machines will come standard with an on-board computer. Many people look into elliptical machines that store well. They want to use them when they need them and be able to put them away in a closet when they’re not in use. If you’re cramped for space or have a small home gym, a spacesaver elliptical trainer can be a great way to save space while getting a good overall body workout. Most elliptical trainers are smaller than a treadmill and can be more easily moved to clean or to store away when company is coming.

The general estimate of calories burned using an Elliptical Trainer are approximately 387 calories for a 150 pound woman who has done 30 minutes of elliptical exercise. According to the machine manufacturers, a general estimate of calories burned by an elliptical trainer can go up to 720 calories an hour. There are a lot of very good brands of elliptical cross trainers on the market today; some of the most popular brands are: Precor, Life Fitness, Quantum Fitness, Horizon, Nordic Track, Smooth and SportsArt Fitness. Elliptical workout machines came onto the scene only just a few years ago and they’ve been gaining in popularity ever since.

While using an elliptical machine gives you a no-impact workout, the resistance exercise helps to build bone density and therefore fight osteoporosis. Because elliptical machines are a mix between the treadmill and a stair climber, it gives you a great opportunity to cross-train.

With quality elliptical exercise equipment, you feel the movement as fluid and your legs travel in an elongated circular motion. Elliptical trainers use the arms and the legs making it a cross trainer, in a smooth and natural motion.

To get the lowest price on ellipticals, check online first. Then check your local sporting goods stores and ask for a discount. Sometimes this works. Ask for a business discount if appropriate. Check the local used sporting goods or consignment stores if you’d like a used elliptical machine.

If you have any ‘pull’ with the local health clubs see if you can arrange to get an elliptical trainer through them at their wholesale cost. Check out Costco or Sam’s Club to see if they have any ellipticals in stock. Often they have the mid to upper range in quality with a good discount. Watch for sales of course. If you buy online, many of the manufacturers offer free shipping.

Many people with joint problems used to feel they had to give up on exercise, but that’s not the case any more with an elliptical machine. Many manufacturers have developed elliptical machines today using high technology. Buying an inexpensive or low cost elliptical machine is easy to do today with so much information being available online.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Healthrider Elliptical Cross Trainer

Probably one of the most celebrated bodybuilding legends in history is Lou Ferrigno. The iconic star of The Incredible Hulk acquired a massive and shredded physique at an early age and this physique was the catalyst to achieving worldwide fame. Now, while many are familiar with the fact that Ferrigno trained in Southern California with the renowned fitness guru Joe Weider, there is another little fact that most people are not aware of. Believe it or not, Lou Ferrigno initially developed his physique in the basement of a commonplace home in Brooklyn, NY with a home gym. Yes, you read that correctly. Ferrigno originally developed his contest winning physique with a self-made home gym.

Now, this does not mean that a home gym can totally replace a well stocked professional health and fitness club. What it does mean, however, is that a decent gym can be erected in your home or apartment that can adequately provide the equipment necessary to develop significant lean muscle mass that will speed up metabolic functioning, burn fat and provide a person with a decent physique.

Looking For The Greatest Home Gyms

Since not all home gyms are equal, it becomes imperative to try and figure out what are the top home gyms available on the market. This can be somewhat tricky to ascertain as different customers will have different benchmarks for determining what defines the term “best home gyms”. It would be easy to rattle off a number of name brand bench press and leg raise equipment, but that would mean very little as such equipment may not fit the proper benchmarks for everyone. In order to center on what are the best home gyms, one needs to define what type of home gyms would be acceptable.

For example, if one lives in an apartment it might be advisable to purchase vinyl weight sets. The reason for this is that vinyl weight sets do not scratch or damage furniture while iron weights sets can do serious damage if they accidentally come in contact with delicate furniture. However, if you have a basement or garage, you may wish to stay away from vinyl weight sets because they are unreliable for building muscle mass. This is why professional bodybuilders and commercial gyms stick with iron weights exclusively.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the title of best home gyms (price, size, etc) and it becomes important to define what you need and then go about matching your needs with the home gym that suits those needs the best. It is as simple as that.



Thanks to Gregory Hepburn for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Used Life Fitness Treadmills

Can you answer gregb’s question about Treadmill?:

What is the best way to build muscle at home, without going to the gym? What are the best at home gym systems (Total Gym, etc.)? What do you all recommend for an at home routine? I am looking to build muscle.

Thanks a lot for your help

Manual Folding Treadmill

Needless to say, one would no doubt wonder about New Balance 9000 Elliptical trainer. New Balance makes quality shoes, as apparent, and you may perhaps think they might have brought equally good Elliptical trainers in the market. New Balance has brought several models in the market of elliptical trainers and many a time people confuse the New Balance 9000 Elliptical trainer with the lower-end models from New Balance, which has no great review. New Balance 9000 Elliptical trainer undoubtedly is superior compared to the lower end designs is surely a good choice if any buy is considered.

1. Basic Features

At the outset you would notice that this Elliptical trainer has an electromagnetic drive system with a stride length which could be adjusted from 17 to 19 and up to a maximum length of 21 inches. That is apparent about New Balance 9000 elliptical trainer. Giving an edge, the New Balance Elliptical trainers could be used by tall as well as short people. This Elliptical trainer could get accustomed to any kind of weight rules as it can go up to supporting three hundred pounds. This could support various body types. The LCD display that it has, has got every display which the other Elliptical trainers have got, however, it has an additional display, presenting a display for watts. This is not very common among other machines; however its requirement is not widely spoken about. Both the lower and the upper body work out are fully supported by New Balance 9000 Elliptical machine, ensuring total body exercise at an ease.

2. Special Features

New balance 900 Elliptical trainers have bigger ComFrom foot platform pedal which makes it stand out on its special features. This adds to some real sturdy footing which could keep you continually stable all through the work out. This Elliptical trainer has got about sixteen levels of resistance using magnetic resistance, an in built sensor tracking heart beats as well as seventeen workout program levels. New Balance Elliptical trainer has an appealing feature of transportation wheels being attached to it. This makes the Elliptical trainer no not unnecessarily consume all the living space as it could be maneuvered easily and can be stocked up when not in use. New Balance 9000 Elliptical trainers are structured light-weight which would help in easy movement over its transportation wheels.

3. Know the drawback

The incline position in the New Balance Elliptical trainer is the only real trouble that is seen when compared to the rest of the machines; however this could be further improved. As of now, this Elliptical Machine has no adjustments or inclines positioning which may, at times be a little difficult during workouts. Again, there is no drastic difference in challenges which you can show up on the machine as; New Balance 9000 Elliptical machines have nearly 16 levels of magnetic resistance. New balance would certainly improve the currently existing drawback in the near future making New Balance 9000 dominant over several other competitors who are in the production of Elliptical trainers.

New Balance 9000 is one great Elliptical machine when compared to many in the market. It has wide benefits when focused. Hence a single drawback should not impair the machine as several special features have added to its fineness.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Best Elliptical Cross Trainer