Elliptical Trainers Exercise Equipment Info

Elliptical Trainers Guide

Elliptical Trainers are one of the most popular types of exercise equipment for the home.

They offer an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise i.e. exercise which involves the blood vessels and the heart.
Regular use of an elliptical trainer will increase endurance.
As there is no impact on the knees they are in many ways better than running round the park or round the streets, which can cause impact and strain on your ankles, knees, and lower back.

Elliptical trainers are ideal for people who prefer not to run outdoors.
If you don't like gyms you can buy your own elliptical trainer for your home.
You can still do other things while using your elliptical trainer e.g. watch TV, read a book, clean the windows.
An elliptical trainer allows you to change the incline and speed.
Some elliptical trainers have features that monitor the calories burned and your heart rate

Why are they so popular ? Because they allow you to get a non-impact cardiovascular workout that also works the muscles of your upper body. An elliptical trainer ensures that your entire body is exercised.

You can get an elliptical trainer starting at around $150 or spend over $4000 - some of the names to look out for are Weslo, Quantum, Octane, Precor, Proform, Healthrider, Ironman.

Motorized Equipment

Motorised treadmills are also a good way of exercising but elliptical trainers have the obvious advantage of involving the upper body as well.

One thing that is very important but often overlooked with elliptical trainers is the stride length. If you are 5'3" or less then a stride length of 16 - 18" is best. If you are 5'7" to 6'7" then go for a stride length of 20 -21".

Which are the best elliptical trainers ?

If you are on a tight budget then consider the Eclipse 1100 HR/A at just under $500, it offers 8 different resistance levels and several programs. Although it has a shorter stride than others, it is a very good budget trainer for beginners. It is one of the few elliptical machines at this price that has both forward and backward movement.

Best Elliptical Trainer Overall

Precor invented the elliptical trainer and the Precor EFV 517i is considered by some to be the best overall elliptical trainer. Features include a Cross Ramp that lets you adjust the angle of incline of the pedals from 12-25 degrees for a full workout of all the leg muscles. The LED displays and graphics are state-of-the-art. It has twenty resistance levels so you will never outgrow it. It also has the smoothest motion of all elliptical machines, a large 19” stride and the best warranty. It costs around $2,300, which offers good value for money.