There are different components to getting in shape. Elliptical trainers will help you work your way towards cardio respiratory-endurance. You will be able to handle aerobic activities better as you gain this endurance through regular exercise working out your heart and lungs.
Lots of people swim or run and jog (as some refer to as running less than eight-minute miles). These are great forms of aerobic exercise and should be included in your routine if possible, and if you enjoy doing them. But now there’s something new to consider: elliptical trainers. Your lower body moves in a combination of cycling and stair climbing motions, but your feet move in an egg-shaped pattern (elliptical pattern), not a circular path. Elliptical machines are considered to be low-impact because the practitioner’s feet stay on the pads. They also provide a weight bearing exercise, which is good for the bones.
At ConsumerSearch you can find “reviewing the reviewers”. Elliptical trainersare reviewed here. The best reviews out of ten are by Consumer Reports, Consumers Digest, and Fitness Infomercial Review.
It turns out that the best Elliptical machinesout of twenty-four are: Precor EFX5.21si, Vision Fitness 6200HRT, and ProForm700s.
PrecorEFX5.21si is estimated at $3200. According to ConsumerSearch’s report, reviewers say that this is the best elliptical trainer on the market. It’s durable and stable and provides the smoothest and quietest operation. It has a variable incline between 10 and 40 degrees and extra features that are quite nice to have such as a reading rack, bottle holder (because you should be sipping on water all throughout your workout), and an optional heart-rate monitor. This machine does not provide an upper-body workout though.
Another good elliptical trainer is the Vision Fitness 6200HRT for about $1500. This one is better for those with a more limited space or budget. It folds to a compact 28” x 32” size. It has a two-in-one option. You can either do stepping or elliptical gliding. It has 48 separate workout programs and a wireless heart-rate monitor. There in no incline adjustment and it’s not as heavy or sturdy as the Precor.
The ProForm700s is about $400. It gets higher ratings than any of the other elliptical machines in its class (budget price). It’s sturdier than the other trainers in its price range, but it won’t stand up to the same kind of use as the Vision Fitness or the Precor machines. Use this one for occasional, light use.
Keep in mind that elliptical trainers are for cardio endurance; they will help you lose weight and get more wind power. There could even be some lower-body toning because of the use of your large muscles. These machines will not however, tone your upper body. You will need to lift weights or do exercises like push-ups in order to achieve that end. Be sure to contact your doctor if you have any medical conditions that may be affected by cardio workouts. Find out if an elliptical is the right exercise machine for your particular needs. You may find that you need something more or less vigorous to produce your desired results.
By Laura Hogg