Elliptical exercise machines have become quite popular since their introduction fifteen years ago. Not quite as popular as treadmills and exercise bikes, elliptical machines have nevertheless been set up in thousands of commercial gyms and millions of home gyms across the country. We will discuss the reasons for their popularity in this article so that you can decide for yourself if an elliptical trainer is the right machine for you to accomplish your workout goals.
Elliptical Workouts vs. Using a Treadmill
Elliptical exercise machines are great for anyone who has experienced joint fatigue while using a treadmill. Treadmills give you a great cardio workout, but they can be hard on the knees and ankles. The elliptical trainer is designed to provide low-impact cardiovascular exercises while protecting your joints from wear and tear. Seniors in particular will find elliptical workouts a lot easier than using a treadmill.
Working out on a quality built elliptical trainer feels like gliding on air. There is no ?jerkiness? that you might experience with other types of home fitness equipment. The smooth pace provides a comfort level that will makes working out on elliptical exercise machines virtually effortless.
You can choose from a large selection of affordable elliptical machines from manufacturers such as Fitness Quest, makers of the popular $400 Eclipse 1100 HR, rated one of the best budget trainers for 2006. Another good choice in the $1500 range is the Smooth CE elliptical trainer from Smooth Fitness, known to run virtually problem free and extremely comfortable.
Features to Look For
Although the price is probably the top consideration when shopping for an elliptical trainer, don?t forget to compare the various features that are essential for a top performing machine. A beginner?s exercise machine won?t have as many workout programs and resistance levels as a more advanced design. Decide on a budget and then compare features to find the best model for your needs.
Stride Length
Stride length is a very important feature you must compare when shopping for an elliptical trainer. If you are a tall individual and the stride length is too short, your comfort level will suffer and you won?t get an effective workout. Some elliptical exercise machines such as the Smooth CE from Smooth Fitness features adjustable foot pedals that adjust the stride to the user?s height.
Upper Body Workouts
Most elliptical machines these days come with upper body handles giving the user a total body workout. Upper body handles that work independently from the foot pedals are preferred to upper body handle bars that are synchronized with the trainer?s foot pedals.
Resistance
Don?t settle for a trainer where you have to adjust the resistance manually while exercising. Even basic trainers in the $180 - $500 range come with magnetic resistance. Magnetic resistance elliptical machines have fewer moving parts and so fewer break-downs.
Fly Wheel
As a rule of thumb, the larger the fly wheel, the better the performance. Get a covered fly wheel if keeping the noise down to a minimum is important to you. The shroud muffles the sound if you have thin walls or exercise late at night on your elliptical machine. A fly wheel shroud is also a great safety feature if you have little children.
Should You Buy a Foldable Machine?
Keep in mind that most elliptical exercise machines have a sizable footprint. Elliptical trainers that can be folded and stored in the closet are great if you?re short on space, but a folding design will probably not be as sturdy as a non-folding model.
Read what fitness experts and actual users have to say about a particular machine before spending your money. Check with non-profit testing and reviewing organizations such as Consumer Reports Online. Two other sources of consumer reviews on elliptical exercise machines are ConsumerSearch and Epinions. Finally, talk to friends who are into exercising and see which machine they recommend. After all, word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising.
