Equipment – “Why Should I Consider an Elliptical Trainer?”

Everybody knows what at a treadmill is, as well as an exercise bike. But those elliptical trainers – you know, those things that look like your either walking or cross country skiing. What do they do, and why should I consider adding one of those to my home gym?

Simply put, an elliptical trainer is a piece of equipment that combines an exercise bike, a stair climber, and a treadmill – all into one machine. And, yes – it is very much like stationary cross country skiing! Your feet move in an oval pattern (hence the term “elliptical), and this motion is very fluid and smooth.

Additionally, there are two handles that connect to the foot pads that move back and forth as well, and as you hold onto them with your hands, your upper body gets a workout as well as your legs.

If you’ve ever been jogging, you’ve just experienced a “high-impact” form of exercise. Although running is one of the most effective forms of cardiovascular exercise, if you find your knees, ankles, shins and back start to hurt, you’ve just experienced the downside of “high-impact” exercise. Weight bearing exercises such as running can put a great deal of stress on your joints. But, with an elliptical trainer, you can get all the benefits of weight bearing exercises such as running, but without the stress!

When you look for an elliptical trainer, make sure you take your time and look for quality equipment. Yes, decent elliptical trainers can be expensive, but don’t skimp on your purchase, as it’s worth it to spend a little more money to get the best equipment for your needs. What you’re looking for is a combination of comfort, range, and durability, as well as a good variety of settings and intensity levels. The greater the range of settings available, as well as the greater the range of motion, means your workouts can be that much more effective. Inexpensive models not only may keep your workouts from being as effective as they could be, but the models that cost under $500 aren’t as smooth as the more expensive models, which might cause you problems with reliability.

And, when you do decide to look for an elliptical trainer, the best place to get help in determining which would best serve your needs is your local specialty dealer like Fitness 4 Home Superstore. We have a vested and personal interest in providing our customers with the finest equipment and customer service available to assure your goal’s are achieved and your satisfaction is complete.