Archive for the ‘Elliptical Exercise’ Category

Smooth CE 3.6 Elliptical Trainer Review

Posted at Monday, 08 Mar 2010 in Elliptical Exercise

Here is an excellent elliptical for the heavy users. The Smooth CE 3.6 elliptical trainer is a great buy in the $1,500 price range. The durability and rock-like built features an impressive service record.

Step on a Smooth CE 3.6 Elliptical Trainer and be surprised on how smooth its motion is. It is a very solid, stable and quiet fitness machine.

Almost all elliptical companies market based on price or additional features. Smooth, however, focuses on manufacturing quality machines at a value price. The company also guarantees their equipment with excellent customer service and extended warranties.

Smooth CE 3.6 Elliptical Trainer Features

Stability - The Smooth CE 3.6 weighs in at a hefty 175 lbs. The weight plus a long and wide footprint, all in all make this a solid machine. For people who weigh over 200 lbs, this elliptical is for you. You don’t want one of those compact cross trainers that come in only around 100 lbs. The heavy gauge steel further adds to the stability. It’s hard to find another elliptical at this price to be as solid and stable as CE 3.6.

Electro-Magnetic Drive and Braking System - The advantage of an electro-magnetic drive is there are lesser parts in the braking system. The level of resistance is created by electrical currents and not on moving magnets. Most high-end elliptical models make use of this technology.

Rear Drive - There is some controversy on whether rear drive is better than front drive or vice versa. It all ends as a matter of preference. However, let us point out that there are three advantages to the rear drive.
1. First, there are fewer moving parts. It significantly reduces the number of service issues. With a front drive you have pedals that run along rails with wheels. These wheels often wear out. In contrast, the Smooth CE 3.6 uses sealed bearing instead of the wheels and rollers found in front drive machines. The overall design of the Smooth CE 3.6 is simplistic (or fewer moving parts), and that simplicity results in less service (and lesser problems).
2. In addition, the rear design with the sealed bearings contributes to a very quiet mechanical operation. The lesser moving parts then the lesser wear and resulting noise.
3. Finally, the rear drive tends to center your body. You don’t need to lean forward when you use this elliptical unlike front drive elliptical.

Once again, it really is up to you to choose which is best for you. It could be either rear or front drive. Another brand Precor, which invented elliptical trainers and is considered one of the best machines out, have rear drive.

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18″ Elliptical Stride - The 18 inches stride is perfect for consumers standing 5′10″ and under. We suggest Smooth Fitness CE7.4 Elliptical for those who are taller.

Backlit LCD Display - Smooth has some of the better consoles and displays on the market. You can get feedback on speed, time, distance, heart rate, calories and resistance level.

Speakers, MP3 Input & Fan - You are sure to find that built-in speakers is starting to be a standard feature. CE 3.6 design offers this feature but what’s good about it is the speakers are raised to be closer to you head. There is also a 3-speed fan.

Heart Rate Sensors on Movable Handlebars - A majority of elliptical have the heart rate sensors in stationary grips. You have to take your hands off the handlebars to get a reading. Which makes no sense since you want a reading when you are working both your lower and upper body.

Heart Rate Control - The Smooth CE 3.6 elliptical trainer is equipped with both wireless heart rate control, and handgrip HRC. Many people prefer not having an uncomfortable strap around the chest. A nicer alternative is to have the heart rate control handgrip on the moving handles. Smooth is one of the few companies to offer this innovative feature.

Pivotal Foot Pedals - The ergonomic, pivotal foot pedals significantly reduce the strain on your joints. When you workout on an elliptical trainer your feet and ankles naturally want to pivot with the elliptical motion. The CE 3.6 foot pedals mimic the pivotal movement, thereby reducing harsh impact or possible injury. The design allows your ankles, as well as your knees and hips, to remain in alignment. The design reduces discomfort and numbness to your feet, which is a common complaint with elliptical. It further prevents injuries from excessive straining. Here is to an injury-free and weight loss with Smooth elliptical.

Warranty - An indication of the service record is the warranty. Smooth offers an impressive warranty of 3-years on parts, and a 2-year on labor warranty. It is definitely an above average coverage for the price.

Good Customer Service Record - The basic configuration of this machine has been out for several years and has proven to be very durable. If you have a winner, be smart and stay with it.

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Meet Precor EFX 5.25 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer

Posted at Friday, 19 Feb 2010 in Elliptical Exercise

Precor was the first company in the fitness industry to introduce an elliptical cross trainer in the year 1995. The company set the standard for quality, high-end elliptical trainers. Their first elliptical machine was named EFX and is used on their modern elliptical.

Precor elliptical are primarily sold in specialty fitness dealers, where you are more likely to find top-of-the-line products. Precor also makes commercial models installed in health clubs. Several sites sell remanufactured exercise equipments but exercise caution when purchasing those.

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BUY Precor EFX 5.25 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer here.

The main elliptical of Precor is their patented CrossRamp. This model features the adjustable incline of the ramp that the front rollers travel on thus changing the muscle groups being exercised. CrossRamp is touted by Precor for adding variety to the user’s exercise routines. You might notice that it merely changes the angle of the ellipse. The shift of the angle on a treadmill does not necessarily make the workout more intense.

The foot has a comfortable level of protection level of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion that is 10 to 15 degrees of motion. You will have an inordinate amount of dorsiflexion when you incline the unit since it decreases the angle of the foot and leg. Hence, most users feel that the incline ramp is an antiquated feature.

The fitness industry, specifically elliptical equipment, has grown to be competitive as more features and technology are available. Precor recognizes the competition that is why they integrated AMT or adaptive motion trainer. This technology allows the unit to change motions without an incline ramp.

Meet one of Precor’s newest models, Precor EFX 5.25. The EFX 5.25 home CrosstrainerTM offers a complete cardio and muscle-toning workout for the upper and lower body. CrossRamp® technology for Variable Stride Geometry, and eight programs help you choose the workout that best fits your fitness goal. With a warm color palette and smooth lines, the 5.25 fits your home and lifestyle.

What’s more is Precor EFX 5.25 has an advanced heart rate monitoring ensures you stay in your target zone while an intuitive console displays additional workout metrics (not compatible with optional wireless transmitters). With a warm color palette and smooth lines, the 5.25 fits your home and lifestyle.

Features:
Adjustable CrossRamp targets key muscle groups. The ramp angle is fully adjustable from 15 to 25 degrees and moves up and down at the push of a button, allowing you to individually target and work all major lower body muscle groups. Different ramp positions engage different lower body muscle groups. When moving the ramp from the bottom to the top, you’ll feel various muscles engage and disengage–the lower positions activate all muscle groups, while the higher positions isolate glutes, quads, and calves. A variable stride length, from 18.5 to 20 inches, offers even greater diversity to your workout.
Track your target heart rate. SmartRate offers instant display of your heart rate to help you stay in your target zone for a more efficient cardio and weight-loss workout. The 5.25 features touch heart rate with ergonomically positioned, touch sensitive grips.
Ergonomic moving handlebars help provide a total body workout, enabling you to tone and condition your entire body while maintaining comfortable posture and proper technique. You can also use the stationary handrails for more workout options.
Designed with your home in mind. With its smooth lines and subtle color palette, the EFX complements your home decor and suits your lifestyle.
Intuitive console is easy to read and adjust. Access Quickstart and programs at the touch of a button. The backlit LCD display shows your heart rate, calories burned and time/duration of exercise–to help you get the most from your workout.
Locking Pin: A locking pin secures the foot pedals, preventing movement, when not in use
16 consistent levels of electromagnetic resistance to customize your workout
Two User IDs allow two people to enter and store personal preference information, then quickly retrieve it for future workouts
Integrated storage shelf for water bottle, portable music player, etc.
QuickStart lets you begin workout with the push of a single button
Optimized biomechanics combining low impact with smooth natural motion
Direction of rotation is completely reversible from forward to backward to allow even greater use of different muscle groups

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How you should use your elliptical exercise equipment

Posted at Saturday, 24 Oct 2009 in Elliptical Exercise

Elliptical exercise equipment is a very wise investment you can do for your health. As with any other type of fitness machines, it is inevitable to encounter boredom when using these machines. . Know the basics on how to workout with the help of your elliptical machine. Once you purchase your exercise machine, be sure you develop elliptical trainer workouts that will help you attain cardiovascular health and tone your body without overdoing it. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

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Warm up and cool down
It does not matter whether you are a beginner or on an advanced level of fitness, warm-up and cool down before and after work out is essential every time you use it. Allow a good five minutes to warm up and five minutes to cool down at a slow and steady pace that give you the same feel as a comfortable walk to loosen up your muscles.

Use your Elliptical at least 3x to 5x a week
Plan on working out on your elliptical trainer three to five times a week. You can begin getting your cardiovascular workout thrice a week. Work your way up with five times a week when you get used to the elliptical machine.

Alternate exercise every other day
Your body might not respond as efficiently as it should when you exercise every single day. Chances are your muscles won’t get the rest they need. Muscles need to recuperate and reshape themselves only at rest and not during activity. Stick to every other day so that you can rest your muscles on the days in between until you’ve reached a solid fitness level. You can add a few days in a row if you wish or do other types of exercise on your “off” days.

Add variety into your exercises
Nothing beats boredom when you make a few changes on a workout routine. Vary your speed and exertion level. This is very important to maximize the benefits from your elliptical trainer workouts.

Begin with a slow but steady pace for five minutes, after your five minute warm-up. Follow this with five more minutes at a moderate pace, then five minutes pushing yourself to the maximum you can handle for about five minutes, then bring it back down in reverse (five moderate, five easy, then your cool-down). You can follow this combination for the first few weeks. Once you’ve reached the point where you don’t feel like you’re pushing yourself enough with this, add on until you reach a maximum of about 45 minutes (for the average person).



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Schwinn 430- your budget elliptical trainer

Posted at Monday, 21 Sep 2009 in Elliptical Exercise

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer is your budget elliptical trainer. Priced at $599, it offers a solid feel and smooth motion as you work your way and burn calories. Schwinn 430 wins accolades form expert reviewers and many owners. It is compact, yet feel solid at 150 pounds. Schwinn may have fewer programs and features than more expensive ellipticals  it holds enough options for most home users.

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Advantages of Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer

  • Low price
  • Articulating foot pads
  • Solid feel and smooth motion
  • Compact size

Disadvantages of Schwinn 430

  • Not suitable for heavy use
  • Very short warranty
  • Questionable reliability

Critics say doubts the quality and reliability issues of Schwinn, especially since the labor warranty is just 90 days. Even reviewers who like the Schwinn 430 say it is best suited for light workouts. Despite bad reviews, almost 250 owners posting to Amazon.com are overwhelmingly positive about the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer. For only $100 more, the Schwinn 438 (*est. $700) is slightly heavier and sturdier, and offers a one-year warranty on labor.

Order your very own Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer today.



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Recommended elliptical trainer

Posted at Friday, 14 Aug 2009 in Elliptical Exercise

New models of elliptical trainers are less expensive and provide more features than before. A good, reliable elliptical trainer comes in different prices. You may think of cutting back several hundred dollars but are less likely to prove as durable as those that cost just a few more dollars. Regardless if you are looking for a budget-priced model or a top of the class elliptical, Elliptical exercise equipment blog will guide you through some of the current models available.

Schwinn 420

For those who want to stick to $ 1000 budget and is not expecting health club quality performance, Schwinn 420 is an entry level elliptical trainer worth considering. It is deal for home gym for fitness enthusiasts of any skill level. Users enjoy the combination of upper and lower body flexibility and coordination into one impact-free motion.

Features
The Shcwinn 420 offers 16 computer controlled resistance levels and 12 programs for work out variety. It includes six user-profile programs, fitness test, and one custom work out. You can easily change your resistance level with a touch of its quick start functions. Work out is done with ease thanks to its biomechanically designed linkages for a more comfortable and natural elliptical path. The warranty part of the package is not bad either; 5 years on the frame, 1 year on parts and electronics, 3 months on wear parts, 3 months on labor.

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Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer

Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer (2009 Model)
This is perfect for those who wants quality over quantity. Get to enjoy an efficient full-body work out without having to head to the gym. Choose from 16 resistance levels, 10 total programs (including two custom and two heart-rate programs), and a 20-inch ride length. The handiest feature is its easy-to-use electronic console, which integrates a blue backlit LCD display, a cooling fan, and a water bottle holder. The warranty of E55 offers a maximum capacity of 350 pounds: lifetime on the frame, five years on all parts and electronics, and two years on the labor.

41a0hk633tl_ss400_1Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer (2009 Model)

Sole E35
Sole brand of home fitness products is known to produce good quality ellipticals. Sole E35 elliptical only enhances the brand name. It is a relatively inexpensive front-drive elliptical trainer which performs exceptionally well. The E35 delivers a natural, smooth, quiet workout with a 20-inch stride length, 20 levels of resistance and eight program workouts. It lessens impact on joints due to its oversized pedals having an inward slope. This elliptical has a solid warranty. The frame is covered for life, the parts for 5 years and the labor for 2 years of in-home service. You just can’t believe the great value of Sole E35 for an affordable home elliptical trainer.

Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer (2009 Model)

If you are looking for a better value for the money than the lower end models, Sole E95 is the one for you. It is affordable and carries the same outstanding warranty as the E35, including 2 years of in-home service. This elliptical is even more durably built having a maximum capacity of 400 pounds. Maximize its feature of ten workout programs including two heart-rate monitoring programs, along with a bottle holder, cooling fan and built-in speakers compatible to a mp3 player. It also includes a wireless chest trap and a handgrip sensors to monitor heart rate. The 20-inch stride and adjustable, well-cushioned pedals provide a challenging yet smooth work out. It is highly recommended as a great value buy.

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Tips before buying an elliptical exercise equipment

Posted at Saturday, 18 Jul 2009 in Elliptical Exercise

It is not easy to achieve an optimum health. A balanced diet consisting of the right amounts of vegetables, fruits, regular exercise are necessary to attain a tip top healthy shape. A strict discipline is also required in performing exercises whatever they may be, be it jogging, walking, or working out. The same strict discipline is also needed when using exercise equipments. If you decided to purchase your very own elliptical exercise equipment, here are following tips you must consider before buying the fitness equipment.

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Do not rely on your eyes and ears alone. Always scrutinize the facts behind the claims of advertisements. Exercise equipment may claim to lessen body fats and body weight up to several pounds within a week or so. Others advertise that their products will trim down your dress size to a size smaller within a month. These claims are intentionally exaggerated to boost sales rather than truthfully present the features of such products.

Always be doubtful of those claims that offer you of reducing huge amounts of fats from a certain amount of your body such as hips, waist, and thighs. A long term and healthy approach to weight loss often entails a good change of eating habits and incorporation of a regular exercise.

Most home buyers ask what the best elliptical machine is. Take into account the following factors when planning to buy your very own elliptical trainer:

Price:

Decide what your budget is for an elliptical trainer. A budget allows you to spend within your earning capacity and what you can afford. It comes in handy when online retailers ask you to select your price range.

Quality:

Just as the cost of elliptical trainer I important, the quality of these fitness machines are equally important. Don’t buy the cheapest trainer you find instead check your choices carefully. The cost of higher quality is a guarantee that you don’t need to make two purchases and end up wasting your hard earned cash.

Size of the trainer:

Determine how much space you can give to place your elliptical trainer. Many stores online shows the measurement of these machines but can sometimes be inaccurate. You should go to a fitness store and measure the physical machine to make sure it fits our space.



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Welcome to your source of information on Elliptical trainers!

Posted at Tuesday, 09 Jun 2009 in Elliptical Exercise

Imagine the possibility of the feeling of running, power walking, or jogging without posing stress on your joint. Maximize your work out time with elliptical trainers. When it comes to exercise machines, elliptical trainers have been the hottest fitness equipment to hit the market. It is great for busy people who have to squeeze in quality time for fitness. Imagine of having an exercise machine that cuts your cutting exercise time in half. Most of all, it lessens the risk of developing joint pain as a result of constant training on hard surfaces.

Elliptical trainers versus Treadmill

You can’t help but notice how impact-free an elliptical trainer is much more when compared to treadmills. The joints of your lower body are free from potential abuse when using elliptical trainers. It is true that treadmill mat is better for your knees than cement but substantial amount of impact is placed on your joints.

The good point of treadmills is it provides a better fitness experience for dedicated runners or jogger that elliptical trainers lack. You might as well go for a treadmill if you are training for a marathon since running outdoors is not a good idea especially during intensely hot summer months or colder months.

For those who seek a quality cardiovascular workout with greatest efficiency, you will surely love using an elliptical machine. It gives a total body work out as dual action handlebars for your arms and foot pedals for your legs guide your way to fitness. Treadmills only focus on your lower body given its simulation of a jogging experience.

Studies have shown that the lack of impact on the joint of exercisers enables them to burn the same amount of calories compared to treadmills. Thus, elliptical exercise machines burns roughly the same calories as treadmill but with immensely less effort.

Therefore, it is no wonder that elliptical trainers are the top choice of elder exercises with knee problems and physical trainers who provides rehabilitation to their clients.

User friendly

Elliptical machines have been manufactured with the users in mind and their ease on operating these machines. Home users will find it convenient to use and easier to operate made perfect for those who lacks the time and patience to review and digest detailed manuals on its functions. You can be sure to use it right away once you take it out from its box. Home users and athletes will greatly benefit especially when complemented with a training regime.

Choosing Your Own Workouts

For beginners, it is best to start out easy on levels and gradually advance to more intense levels when getting accustomed to elliptical trainers. You can choose a variety of intensities to condition and train yourself. An elliptical machine will give a good work out to your upper body which is often overlooked in certain training machines such as treadmills and stationary bikes.

You are sure to find new and interesting topics all about Elliptical trainer right here. Feel free to leave comments and questions that might spark your interest on these wonderful elliptical trainers made perfect for those who worry about joint pain during exercise and for people who are rehabilitating their injured knees.


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