The easiest cardiovascular exercise program is to put on a pair of sneakers and hit the road. Unfortunately, the road hits back. Many sports trainers no longer recommend roadwork because of potential long-term damage to ankles, knees and hips. Home gym machines (also found in pro gyms, of course) were created, in part, so that people could get the benefits of that exercise model while reducing the risks.
Elliptical trainers mix elements of treadmills, stationary bicycles, stair steppers and other exercise machines to offer a full-body workout (also called a total fitness workout) that minimizes joint stress and other negatives, giving the user the best workout possible. This elliptical trainer buying guide will help you figure out how to buy elliptical trainers that best meet your needs.
How to buy an elliptical trainer depends primarily on two factors -- the space you have available plus your size and your sports and fitness goals. Your fitness gear plan shouldn't include an exercise machine that costs an arm and a leg, but this is a place where you definitely want to spend what you must to get the exercise equipment you want.
The machine
If you have a dedicated home gym room, you can opt for large workout machines. If you plan to stick that exercise machine in a corner and pull it out several times a week, you need mobility. Either way, you can get a great fitness product.
A large professional or home exercise model can be as much as 6 feet long, 3 feet wide and 5 feet high, weighing 200 pounds or more. If you're a large person with plenty of room who really likes to crank out the calories, you need stability and this is the elliptical machine for you.
In smaller spaces, portable workout machines are the winners: Small exercise machines can be as little as 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 4 feet high, and some are equipped with wheels. These are especially valuable for people who want to train while watching TV or listening to the stereo; you won't have to lug your fitness gear in and out of your media room.
For those with no space at all, a new style, the mini-elliptical, is becoming popular. It's little more than a flywheel, pedals and base. You may not have handles to steady yourself, nor a display to track your progress, but this could be a great, low-cost starter elliptical trainer for the apartment or dorm dweller.
The user
Elliptical machines have their limits, most often listed as maximum user weight. Common limits are 250 and 300 pounds. A few may also list a recommended maximum user height. Some gym machines feature adjustable foot pedals to deal with a house full of different-sized users.
Pedals and handles
The first elliptical trainers were adapted from bicycles and worked only the legs and lower body; they were equipped with handles attached to the frame. New models with handles attached to the pedals to allow the upper body to get a workout are often referred to as the total fitness approach. Pedal motion is called stride, and can vary from 7 inches to 23 inches. The longest strides and adjustable strides are premium features and offer smoother, more natural body motion and better rhythm, resulting in a better workout. Most elliptical trainerspu are now equipped with frame handles and pedal handles, giving home fitness equipment users a choice.
Flywheel
The flywheel is the core of the elliptical trainer. Flywheel weight does affect the gym machine's operation; heavier flywheels tend to give a smoother ride and add inertia to keep the drive system going, but the added weight increases wear on the bearings, leading to higher long-term maintenance costs.
Preferences vary, but there is no evidence one elliptical machine style is better than another and, whichever you choose, you will get a good workout--if you use it right.
Mechatronics
Combining MECHAnics and elecTRONICS, these components change the incline and length of the stride; some also vary resistance, allowing the user to simulate uphill or downhill motion and involve more muscle groups. Computer controls allow users to set the time, stride length, resistance levels and other factors. Some of these adjustments allow users to increase their level of difficulty, keeping your exercise routine advancing with your fitness level.
Display and sensors
The basic display panel features time, distance, caloric output and speed. Advanced elliptical trainer displays feature even more data; they may also store data for comparison. Heart rate monitoring is another excellent option, especially if you're into fat burning, but you need to grip the heart-rate sensors, usually found in the handles or strap on a wireless monitor. These features require power, of course, so your trainer will have an electrical cord or a battery compartment.
Ramp or incline settings
Changing the incline angle of the pedals changes the muscle group that does the bulk of the work. Advanced exercise machines include programmable workout routines--fat-burning or cardio workouts--with a variety of inclines and speeds. Some programs monitor heart rate and other factors and adjust the exercise programs to achieve the best possible workout.
Safety features
A good idea for anyone, especially those with small children at home, is an elliptical trainer with an automatic safety off button and a covered flywheel.
The ever-increasing features of elliptical cross trainers mean fewer and fewer home-repairable parts. If the warranty has expired, find a good local mechanic. You should clean and lubricate the flywheel every week or so, and if you follow the care instructions in the manufacturer's instructions, your exercise machine probably won't need professional maintenance very often.
Do you really get a better workout for less work?
This has been hotly debated for some years, but the answer is no. Studies have shown that the perceived exertion of elliptical trainers is lower than other exercise machines. That is, you do work as hard, but it doesn't feel as though you're working as hard.
Why pedal backwards?
Pretty much every different movement uses different muscles or uses the same muscles in a different way. Pedaling your elliptical machine backward gives your muscles an additional type of workout for better overall conditioning.
Involve the senses
Staring at the wall can make a great workout an exercise in insomnia relief. The Overstock.com electronics store is full of TVs, radios, CD and DVD players, plus iPod and MP3 players. Once you've chosen the type, drop by the entertainment store for CDs, DVDs, audio books or other ways to exercise your mind while you tone your body.
Get a real-world workout
The home gym is great, but you have other options. Team sports make great workouts -- not as controlled, but a whole lot more fun than gym-time. Golf is the perfect way to spend quality time with spouses, children, friends, business associates, anybody except the guy who wears knickers and plaid knee socks on the course. Winter sports are varied and exciting as you shoop-shoop down the hill or speed across the landscape. Camping and hiking have a double-plus: you'll get a good workout and, hopefully, develop a greater appreciation for Nature's wonders. Still not seeing something that gets your adrenal glands pumping? Overstock.com has plenty of other sports to choose among.
