Posts Tagged ‘elliptical’

The Flywheel – An Important Part Of An Elliptical Trainer

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Elliptical trainers are becoming very popular amongst people working out both in gyms and at home. This is because an elliptical trainer allows anyone to get a great workout, even someone who has joint problems, as it offers a very low impact cardiovascular workout. Possible injuries are greatly reduced and a person can work on their upper and lower bodies so is great for weight loss as well as fitness goals. Buying an elliptical trainer is an investment in your own healthy future but knowing what to buy and what to look for can be a challenge.

There are many brands and models in the market today making it even harder to choose between them. Price will have to guide you somewhat, but they range from just $500 up to $5000. The key thing to look at in an elliptical is its flywheel. This is the part that creates the elliptical motion of the machine and generates the resistance so that you can alter how intense your workouts are.

The lower priced machines, while tempting at their affordability, have components that just won’t last that long. The flywheels are cheaply made and use belts to create resistance. After not a lot of use these belts will need replacing. Ideally if you can afford it, look for an elliptical machine that has a flywheel that uses a magnetic system to alternate electrical current to get the required resistance changes.

The position of a flywheel can also change from model to model. Traditionally it has been usual for machines to have one large flywheel places at the rear of the trainer. But this makes the trainer quite big and bulky. More modern elliptical designs have changed from using 1 large flywheel to 2 smaller ones that can be placed next to each other, making the trainer shorter, but fatter. Some claim the latter deign adds to its stability and gives a more smooth workout motion.

Very importantly you need to check the flywheel mechanisms warranty. You need a warranty on this part, and most decent brands will at least offer a year, though some have warranties that are as long as 5 years or fall somewhere in between. Make sure you opt for a known brand that can be trusted, check out the reviews of models you are considering and pay particular care to the flywheel.

Elliptical fitness equipment and accessories. Today’s special: Kettler Elliptical Cross Trainer

A Closer Look At AFG Cross Trainers

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Most people have heard of the normal elliptical cross trainer brands like ProForm and NordicTrack, but have you heard of a top quality company called AFG. If you haven’t and your in the market for a mid range elliptical which fantastic warranties, then you’ll want to read more about this company.

Advanced Fitness Group: the industry spin-off of another sub-company, Horizon Fitness, also makes treadmills, exercise bikes, and strength trainers. Headquartered in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, AFG designs and builds a very limited line of fewer than half a dozen elliptical trainers ranging in price from $899 to $1799.

One of the main points about this company, is that they strive to create quality long lasting equipment. As they’re target customers are large scale gyms, they produce they’re products with the realization that there will be many people using them all day long. So you can be sure that if you buy one of they’re cross trainers, that it will last for a long time.

Whilst they have only created a few elliptical’s they have ensured that they build them all to the highest standard. This is also true should you examine they’re flywheels which are the most important parts of anything elliptical machine.

What is distinctive about these elliptical machines is that the pedals are usually only eleven inches or so from the floor. This is a massive improvement compared to using an elliptical with a flywheel in the dust and is in that annoying position.

Strong Warranty and Customer Service

An area wherever AFG elliptical trainers stay ahead of the competition is in the way the company protects the buyer when they purchase. The guarantee’s that are provided take all the risk away from the buyer and leaves it with them. This how confident they are that you will love they’re products.

It would appear that AFG have aimed they’re unique selling angle towards offering the best support in the commercial. There’s also other places to seek information including forums where you’ll be able to talk to those who own these elliptical machines and get a unique insight.

It’s important to realize that the fitness equipment that this brand produces do not directly compete with other companies selling for less money bracket. They are mid range machines which are aimed at gyms across the country. And they have set there brand up for being the leader within that bracket.

So if your looking for an elliptical trainer for a gym or if you are setting up a top quality home gym, then you may well want to do some research into AFG. The best way that this can really be done is to check out reviews and join message boards where you will be able to talk one on one with others who have purchased they’re products.

Check out the strength training exercise website.

Cross Trainer Ellipticals Look Like They’re Taking Over

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Treadmill machines are still very popular all over America. Many people have their own private ones for their homes and your sure to find at least a few in every gym in the United States. Exercise bikes are also very popular all over the world and I agree that they are very effective, however the exercise equipment that’s growing the quickest in terms of recognition is the elliptical trainer.

There have been more and more people using Ellipticals for the past few years. At the paces that it’s going it will surpass the treadmill in just a few years.

The low-impact qualities ellipticals provide appear to be one of it’s more attractive points for the older generation that need to ensure that they do not damage there body parts and muscles. Furthermore, it is actually attracting younger users who are worried about incidents too.

In comparison treadmill machines are rather high-impact and can in fact cause sports injuries easily. Approximately the impact of a runner on the treadmill is really 2.5 times they’re body weight. This can easily tear muscles and cause many different types of injuries.

Now lets look at the other massive Benefits of a Elliptical Exercisers?

Many people find it difficult to squeeze in enough time to go to the gym. But with these fitness machines you can literally half the time needed.

That’s right! Because ellipticals are capable of exercising both the lower and upper body simultaneously, you can get in a great exercise session in as little as 20 minutes. Now, 20 minutes is hardly anything out of a 24-hour day! Surely you can spare so little time with regard to your body’s fitness?

The most important benefit, that I believe is the main reason for the success of the elliptical, is just how low impact the workouts are! Because of this, on it’s own, the elliptical machine will be ideal for older individuals who wish to get in shape or even maintain their current fitness level. It would be also good for individuals who are slowly getting over running injuries and building up to sprints again.

However, at the moment there are still far more treadmill and exercise bike customers but sales are slowing down for them and ellipticals are flying off the shelf. It seems that the older generation is leading this change with most of them being sold to older men and women.

Another great benefit of these Elliptical machines is that they are very easy to use. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist and you probably won’t even need to pick up a manual!

Come over to the health site.

Using an Elliptical Machine For Low Impact Exercise

Friday, October 16th, 2009

When you are looking for an exercise machine many are aware that elliptical exercise machines are a great choice of equipment for an effective workout. It is much like working out with a trainer but without the cost! Your fitness levels will rise quickly and your overall health will vastly improve. Because of this they are often called elliptical trainers.

The elliptical machine is easy to use and can be used for various types of workouts depending on what you are looking for. For example if you are looking to burn some calories, build up some muscles and make your bone density better you can use the elliptical to do weight bearing workouts.

Low impact means that these elliptical machines have only a small amount of stress on your joints and bones compared to working out on other machines. Ligament fractures and muscular strains are not possible even from a heavy work out as the foot cannot get away from the pedals. After all what is the point in working out to improve your health if you are constantly injuring yourself?

Cardio vascular workouts are commonly recommended by fitness trainers for people looking to burn off calories and loose weight and you are able to use the machine to do this kind of workout also. You can combine the cardio with the weight bearing workout to loose weight, firm and tone up, and get muscle definition.

In a busy world where people sometimes do not feel they have time for gyms using an elliptical machine can help you get fantastic results in very little time. You do not have to spend hours working out for little results anymore. So for those with hectic schedules and full lives these are a great way to keep fit and healthy from the comfort of your own home, with no need to worry about the impact on your bones or spending ages learning how to use the machine.

Before making an elliptical machine purchase, just visit my elliptical fitness equipment blog for the latest news and info on the subject. Today’s pick: Octane Elliptical Trainer.