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10 Quick Tips for Buying Elliptical Trainers
By: Jennifer Dennis
10 Quick Tips for Buying Elliptical Trainers
Are you thinking about buying an elliptical trainer? Before you purchase your
next piece of fitness equipment, be sure to read this informative list of Top
Ten Tips to distinguish which elliptical machines work best for you and your
household.
1. Elliptical trainers offer a superior cardiovascular routine. Whether you are
a beginner or advanced fitness trainer, the elliptical machine works with your
exercise level to give you the most rewarding experience for your personal
fitness level. An important part of this successful cardiovascular exercise
depends on the comfort level the user experiences throughout the length of the
machine’s use. An elliptical trainer works because it has a smooth, flowing
movement that encourages the user minute after minute. A key part of this
rhythmic movement depends on stride length. There are some machines on the
market that offer a 14” stride. You should always purchase an elliptical
trainer with a stride length of 21” for maximum use and optimal settings.
2. Look for an adjustable incline and varying levels of resistance. The
incline option is sure to give you increased aerobic activity and the future
opportunity to challenge yourself in new and different ways. Your machine should
offer a wide range of incline and resistance levels to ensure that you have the
maximum array of potential workout programs. When you change incline levels or
resistance levels throughout the workout, the alteration should be smooth and
non-jarring so that you can change inclines any time you wish, while still
enjoying a great workout experience.
3. The Quiet Factor is important when you are buying a new piece of home gym
fitness equipment. You want to work out, but you don’t want it to sound like a
hurricane is tearing through your home. A superior machine will have a quiet,
shushing sound, letting you listen to your favorite cd’s or television program
for the length of your workout experience.
4. Safety features are important. Make sure that there is a cooling fan, as
well as warm-up and cool-down programs to give your body a chance to work your
muscles comfortably and effectively in the right manner.
5. A heart rate monitor is an excellent feature to look for with your new
elliptical trainer. A heart rate monitor will help you work out smarter, not
harder. With a heart rate monitor, you can ensure that you are reaching your
preferred aerobic/heart rate goals.
6. Look for upper arm handles that move with your routine. With dual action
upper body handles, you can get a complete body workout each time you jump on
the machine.
7. LCD display for the front panel will give you a reading and monitoring
system that is easy-to-read and understand. Here, you can read time, speed,
distance, calorie output, hand pulse and more in a clear and concise format.
8. Notice what the maximum user weight can be for the machine. Note the
highest weight of the user in your household and ensure that this individual can
still use the machine.
9. How much space do you have for a machine? Be sure to measure your personal
room space and note the specifications on the elliptical trainer to be sure you
can enjoy a full range of motion without hitting the wall, a piece of furniture,
etc. A typical machine will be 52”x24”x62” for your reference purposes.
10. Look for a maintenance-free elliptical trainer with a good warranty (1
year for labor, 1-3 years for parts) to ensure that you have a premier workout
exercise year after year. Do not purchase a new or refurbished machine without
reading up on the guarantee first!
Note these important tips before you purchase your next home fitness equipment.
These elliptical trainers can give you a great workout, but with all major
investments, it pays to know what to look for before you purchase. Give yourself
the best you can buy with your particular fitness budget. Purchase an affordable
and versatile elliptical trainer for your personal use today!
About the Author: Jennifer Dennis is a successful author and regular
contributor to http://www.solutions-in-elliptical-trainers.com - a fitness and treadmill industry resource that features treadmill reviews,
guides, product descriptions and articles.
About the Author
About the Author: Jennifer Dennis is a successful author and regular
contributor to http://www.solutions-in-elliptical-trainers.com - a fitness and treadmill industry resource that features treadmill reviews,
guides, product descriptions and articles.
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The Power of Stretching - Dave Snape
Your
muscles ache from a good stretch. This is quite
normal and is part of the process. Stretching has
seemingly been with us and particularly with athletes
since the beginning of time.
A very key point to good stretching is to hold the
stretch for at least seventeen seconds. This is a
pearl of wisdom gleaned from a ballet teacher a few
years back. She said that any stretch under 17
seconds was just not effective.
The 17 second rule is exceeded in the high intensity
Bikram's yoga where stretches are held for about 30
seconds. Don't forget the high level of heat that is
used in Bikram's to extract that last little bit of
stretch out of your muscles. An interesting twist
that
is not necessary to gain benefits from stretching.
But,
it can't hurt, right?
So what kind of benefits can you expect from
stretching? That's an easy one. Have you ever seen
the
movie, Blood Sport? Did you know that Frank Dux could
truly stretch his body to the extreme. The actor that
played him was quite elastic as well.
Great elasticity is also something you might see in
well trained Spetsnaz (Russian) agents. They often
work
out with Russian kettlebells too. They are for
superior
strength gains and the ability to withstand ballistic
shocks.
Why are stretching and flexibility considered
important
to these people? Stretching gives one the ability to
have explosive power available at one's fingertips
without the need to warm up. Of course most of us are
not martial artists or agents. But, you'll be happy
to
know there are plenty of other benefits.
Let me give you an example. After learning to sit in
the full lotus position for long periods of time, my
ankles became very flexible. One day I was walking
along and my left foot fell into a pothole. This
mishap
pushed my ankle sideways to about 90 degrees from
it's
normal position.
Amazingly, this didn't even hurt, not one bit. If my
ankle hadn't been so flexible, I may have suffered a
sprained ankle. At the very least, it would have hurt
for days.
Key point: stretching helps you to avoid injuries.
Not only that but if you do have a muscle, tendon or
ligament injury it should heal faster, theoretically
speaking.
Stretching actually grows the ligaments, tendons and
muscles being stretched. They really grow longer over
time.
Check with your physician before undertaking any type
of exercise, including stretching.
Here is some good
instructional material on stretching:
http://tinyurl.com/6c6kq
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Dave Snape
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