Wednesday, October 4, 2017

3 Common Mistakes Buyers Make When Buying an Elliptical Trainer


So you've decided to go with an elliptical trainer for your home. You are ready to workout on this super-calorie burning machine rain or shine, whenever you want, in the comfort of your own home.



But wait a minute - there are over 40 different elliptical brands out there. How do you find the best one?

Don't panic. You may have lots of choices - but that's not always a bad thing.

If you steer clear of the following mistakes when buying an elliptical you're much more likely to find a good fit for you - and be very happy with your purchase.

So without further ado, here are 3 mistakes you'll want to avoid when buying your elliptical trainer:

#1 Failing To Do Your Research


We live in the internet age. There just is no excuse anymore to go out shopping cold. You have to do your research before you go shopping, period.

There are great elliptical reviews sites out there - some like http://www.MaxTrainerBlog.com that will even focus on specialty elliptical trainers. These will help you compare and rate different elliptical trainers based on your goals, budget and space considerations.




You can also find a myriad of different magazines that also put out ratings every year of various models and give them "Best Buys" or "Recommended Buys" awards.

That's not to say you should go overboard. You should take your time but really don't spend more than a week researching your options.

Pay attention to the features that catch your attention as you research and you're more likely to get a good sense of what you really want in a trainer.


#2 Not Knowing You Need


You have to know what's out there - but you also have to know what YOU need first as well.

If you're 6 foot 2 for example, you do NOT need an elliptical with a short 16 inch stride. You'll be limping and in pain after a week.



Take some time when doing job #1 above to compare the features you see with what you actually need. For example when it comes to stride length most people are most comfortable for an eighteen to twenty inch stride.

A 15 inch stride for example is just too short for most people - especially if you're over 5 foot 8. It's going to feel like you're being forced to run in a too-short gait. And that's not fun.

If you want to work your upper body, you'll also need a trainer with moving upper body arms.

If you tend to get bored easily, you'll want a machine with lots of built-in workouts to challenge you.

Or maybe you're a techno-geek like meet who loves to measure everything. If that's the case you'll need a crosstrainer that also has an online tracking program or app.

So be sure to know what YOU specifically need before you go shopping and you're much more likely to spend money on what you need - and avoid paying extra for what you don't.


#3 Getting Taken In By the Goodies


There are a lot of goodies with elliptical machines today - from built-in tablet holders or TVs to iPod docks to wireless heart rate monitors and even fancy personal trainer workout programs.





While all of that is nice - and for the right person it can be a dream machine - that doesn't mean you can ignore the basics of a well-constructed machine. You want to look for quality first - then the goodies.

So for example you'll want to make sure the trainer has a decent stride length (see above) and enough resistance levels to give you a challenge. You'll want proper ergonomics and well positioned footpedals.

And you also want a machine with a heavy flywheel for a more smooth, fluid motion.

These things are all a lot more important than whether you can track your workouts on an app, trust me.

Look for quality first - then go for the goodies once you've found that.

So those are 3 ways you can avoid making a mistake when going to buy your elliptical machine. Avoid these mistakes and you're more likely to get a trainer that you really love! Good luck and have fun!

Other Resources:

http://www.precor.com/en-us/purchase-tools/buying-guides/elliptical-buying-guide-choose-right-elliptical-you

https://www.ellipticalhub.com/buyers-guide/



 

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Exercise Bikes 101 - Is A Bike Right for You?



So the next piece of equipment on our list is the exercise bike.

Like the treadmill, this one has been around for over 40 years now, although it has recently morphed into a couple of different offshoots.



You're probably familiar with the first type of exercise bikes on the market - the upright bikes with the uncomfortable bike seats and manually adjustable tension.

I think we all had one of those in our basements when growing up - ah memories.

But bikes have come a long way baby. They're now much more comfortable and sometimes even specially designed to get great results than even your road bikes!

So here are a few things you need to know about exercise bikes:


Different Types of Exercise Bikes:


There are several different types of exercise bikes on the market now. Here's a brief overview of each:

Upright Bike - This is the standard design where you sit on the seat and your feet dangle below you to reach the pedals. You lean over to the handlebars and console as you pedal.

Recumbent Bike - This is the bike with the much-more-comfortable bucket seat option. You sit in the bucket seat and your legs angle out horizontally and down (like at a 45 degree angle) to reach the pedals.

A lot of people really like this design over the upright because it's more comfortable - because of the seat but also because you're not leaning over as much.




Training Bike - This has different names like spin bike or training bike. Basically these are upright bikes on steroids. They are the kind of bikes you see in spin classes or high end gyms.

They are designed to give you a much more "road-feel" experience and can even come with things like gear shift and incline.

Elliptical Bike - There aren't as many of these models around as much anymore but you can still find a few. This is a cross between an  elliptical trainer and a recumbent. You sit in the recumbent seat and move your feet on the pedals like an elliptical trainer.


So those are some of the different types of exercise bikes you can choose from. While upright bike seats have become much more comfortable, the recumbent bike is still the most popular - with the most comfortable seat.





Benefits of Exercise Bikes:


#1 Affordable

Exercise bikes, depending on which ones you get tend to be more affordable than a treadmill or elliptical - when you're coming quality to quality.

You can get a high end commercial recumbent bike for around $1200. Whereas if you want a high end commercial treadmill, you're looking at starting around $2000.

So if you're on a budget, then an exercise bike might be a great option for you.



#2 Take Up Less Space

These machines can (but not always) take up less space than an elliptical or a treadmill. So if you're in a condo or apartment they're a great option.



#3 Great for New Exercisers

Gentle recumbent bike riding is super easy and very gentle on the joints for those new to working out. These machines are also great if you are injured since they are lower impact than treadmill running for example.


So those are some of the main benefits of choosing an exercise bike for your home gym. Are there any downsides?


#1 Lower Calorie Burning

Bikes, especially recumbent bikes, are not as great at burning lots of calories as a treadmill or elliptical for example. So if you're looking to trim down and firm up it will take you a bit longer on a bike.




#2 Not Many Exercise Options

With a bike you basically have the option to ride - or ride. That's it. There's no forward or backwards motions like on an elliptical.

You can't hike, walk or jog like on a treadmill. You can cycle - or cycle harder. That's about it. There's not as much versatility with these machines as with other options.



So those are a few things you should know about buying an exercise bike. If you're looking for a more gentle, comfortable form of exercise that is on the more affordable side, this may be a great option for you!