In gyms across the country, many people enjoy using elliptical cross trainers because they offer a good workout and don’t seem as hard to use as the other pieces of exercise equipment. If you’re thinking about buying an elliptical, however, you should consider the greater risk involved. When you spend a few hundred or a couple thousand dollars on an elliptical, then you are responsible for it. Although most companies offer a warranty for a short period of time, many people find that some in-home ellipticals don’t live up to the better-constructed ellipticals found in gyms. To avoid wasting money and spending too much stress, make sure to research the specific product you plan to buy. Check with online reviews, professional reports, friends and people at your gym to get a wide variety of opinions and experiences.
Elliptical cross trainers first began appearing in gyms in 1995, and in the years since then, professionals have researched and developed better technology. However, along with the improvements, cheap imitations have also found their way into the market. Ellipticals have become so popular in the past several years that sometimes people don’t do enough research before buying as they should. You can find elliptical cross trainers almost anywhere, from sports stores to online warehouses to online factory direct. By reading reviews of products, you will find that some people have found each of these processes successful, and that other people have had problems. No matter which way you decide to go, know that any decision involves some risk.
Often, people will buy an elliptical, or any other new product, on the spur of the moment because of the intrigue of newness. By reading customer reviews, you can see that many people fell into this trap and didn’t research enough. Advertisements can make elliptical cross trainers seem like the cure-all for people looking for an easy way to exercise. After all, exercise equipment technology makes up a billion dollar industry, and everyone wants to find an efficient way to maintain health. Elliptical technology includes focusing on the movement pattern created by the elliptical’s pedals, which simulates the natural motion of walking, jogging and running. As a combination of a treadmill and stair climber, an elliptical provides cardiovascular fitness as well as muscle toning. Not only does it require less effort from the user, it also requires less electricity than a treadmill or bike.
Companies market elliptical machines especially to overweight people and aging baby boomers, who may have problems with their backs, knees, hips and joints. Ellipticals can provide overweight and older people with a great alternative to traditional exercise, in addition to athletes. Overweight people especially can burn more calories and don’t get as tired as when using a treadmill or bike. Researchers designed the elliptical to keep the user’s heart rate between 160 and 175 bpm, the optimal range for burning calories. Also, the elliptical provides a weight-bearing exercise and builds bone density, using the muscle groups equally so that you have a reduced risk of injury from overusing one muscle group.
By Lisa Zyga