ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
The Technology Behind Elliptical Cross Trainers Creates Unique Advantages and Benefits
The Technology Behind Elliptical Cross Trainers Creates Unique Advantages and Benefits The word elliptical means shaped like an oval. In the world of fitness and exercise, elliptical technology is a relatively new, innovative equipment design that draws on a smooth, elliptical movement to provide a low impact form of weight bearing exercise that is fun and easy to learn. Elliptical cross trainers have footpads that allow you to stand up while you exercise. They have handgrips for you to hold onto and help maintain balance. Some even have handles to use in working your upper body. Because you are standing, the exercise is similar to walking or running. But the arm bars and elliptical motion create similarities with biking or skiing. The main difference with elliptical exercise machines is that although you are standing and bearing weight, which is important to building bone density, your feet never leave the footpads. So unlike treadmills or jogging, there is little impact on your joints and muscles. This provides a low impact, total body workout. Elliptical Technology The advantages of this type of smooth, non-jarring motion come from the elliptical design of the exercise equipment. Elliptical technology has come to be known as a combination of mechanisms and design features, unique to elliptical cross trainers, which create a motion similar to the natural path the feet, legs and hips follow during actual motor activities such as walking or running. There are several different types of elliptical equipment
available, and the list of choices seems to grow each day.
However, most elliptical fitness machines have a crank arm that is
attached to a stable bar at one end and an axis at the other.
The axis end revolves as the bar moves and the other end moves in a flat,
nearly liniar back and forth motion. This
causes an elliptical path for the overall movement of the machine.
Most elliptical exercise machines built for home use provide resistance
through a band around the flywheel. Some
high end and commercial elliptical cross trainers use magnetic resistance. With an elliptical trainer, there is no halting of motion and reversal of direction. Your legs keep moving in the same manner continually, even though there is an overall range of motion. Many elliptical cross trainers allow you to reverse the direction of motion by changing a setting. Thus you are able to work the opposing muscles, while still maintaining the smooth, non-jarring motion. Benefits and Advantages Studies have shown that weight bearing exercises are essential for maintaining and improving bone density. Yet many weight bearing workouts create high impact stress on joints and muscles. This can cause health problems, especially for people with injuries or arthritis. Additionally, many of the different types of exercise equipment available only work one or two areas of the body, which is a drawback for people who want an overall workout. Under most circumstances, the ideal piece of fitness equipment will be provide weight bearing exercise, while limiting impact and providing for a total body workout. Optimizing cardiovascular benefits is also important. Many styles of exercise equipment address one or two of these concerns, but few combine all the advantages in an overall fitness package such as that provided by elliptical cross trainers. For example, a stationary bike provides relatively smooth, non-jarring motion, but since you are sitting, you don't get the weight bearing advantages. A treadmill fulfills the weight bearing aspect, but at the expense of stress to your joints each time your foot hits the running surface. Swimming is a great form of exercise that tends to work a majority of the body's muscle groups, however, it is not considered a weight bearing activity. When considering the overall needs of an exercise program, few types of fitness equipment meet the overall needs quite as well as elliptical cross trainers. The advantages and benefits of an elliptical trainer as compared to other fitness equipment are:
Beware Of Imitators Unfortunately, as with many innovative, beneficial, and popular ideas, elliptical technology has become somewhat corrupted by those who want to cash in on the appeal but who lack a commitment to or understanding of the true basis for the design. Some elliptical equipment does not offer the natural, simulated movement of true elliptical cross trainers. Others use inferior designs and materials, resulting in a jerky or jarring motion that negates the value of the equipment. When purchasing an elliptical exercise machine, be sure that it provides a stable frame or platform, adequately sized foot platforms, and most importantly, a smooth, continuous motion. Try out the machine. Does the movement required feel natural and comfortable? Also check to see if the machine has adjustments for speed, incline and direction. Elliptical technology, in its true form, is one of the best innovations to hit the fitness industry in the past decade. It truly does address some of the common exercise and health concerns while providing for a relatively easy, often enjoyable form of exercise. Unlike some of the gadgets and gimmicks that have come along over the years, elliptical cross trainers have the ability to help users get fit, lose weight, and improve overall health. About The Author: C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for http://www.elliptical-machines-n-trainers.comShe enjoys researching different exercise technologies and feels that elliptical trainers and elliptical machines truly offer a whole new way of exercising. Copyright 2005 Elliptical-Machines-N-Trainers.com Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included and all 3 links are hyperlinked.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How To Replace Treadmill Parts After you get your new treadmill home you need to know how your new machine works and this means getting to know all the names of the treadmill parts. Unfortunately if something were to go wrong with your treadmill then you would need to know what needed fixing and this would undoubtedly be some or one of the treadmill parts. Working Out On The Reebok Elliptical Trainer The Reebok elliptical trainer is a large machine with mostly self contained parts. This makes it difficult for the owner to do repairs and maintenance himself. There is very little problem with the Reebok elliptical, except that after some regular use it does become very noisy. Treadmill Review - How To Find The Best Treadmill At The Best Price When shopping for a treadmill, it is important to know the facts in advance. Sales and advertised specials will not always assure that you get the best price on a high quality treadmill. There are many different brands and types of treadmill and finding the one that will best suit your needs can be frustrating, especially when you consider how many different features and functions are available. People often pay a premium price for a treadmill only to find they do not use or require most of the extra equipment and accessories that are included. Octane Elliptical - Product Review When buying a trainer it's important to first figure out what you want, and what features will be most beneficial to your workouts. The Octane elliptical line has a large number of different trainers to suit a variety of different needs, and their models are divided into home and gym. The higher level trainers will be better suited to more serious exercisers, while some of the lower end models offer many of the same benefits for beginners. Free Weights vs. Exercise Machines Anyone who has ever been in a gym before is familiar with the gleaming banks of shiny exercise machines. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they are usually cause for the newcomer to the gym to pause and ask, "What IS all of that stuff?" Mobility Scooters: An Introduction Mobility scooters are designed for people who have some mobility but are challenged by slopes or distances. A wide variety of mobility scooters, in various price ranges, are available to fit your needs from leading manufacturers such as Invacare, Pride, Sunrise Medical and Drive Medical. Mobility scooters come in a number of styles which can accommodate a wide range of user needs. When selecting a mobility scooter one should consider where the scooter will primarily be used (indoor, outdoor or both), how often the scooter be transported in a car and any specific seating/accessory needs. Elliptical Trainers Vs Treadmill ? Which One Is Best? So which exercise machine is best: the treadmill or the elliptical trainer? Why Treadmills? Treadmills have experienced substantial growth over the years. They are designed to enhance the most popular form of exercising - running and walking. Treadmills are built on the basic premise that the more effort you put in, the more you will get out. As other fitness equipment and gimmicks gather dust, treadmills continue to gain popularity and get results. 6 Advantages of Free Weights Over Exercise Machines Meet Sarah. Proform XP 590s Treadmill The Proform XP 590s Treadmill - Storage Is XPedient Exercise Bikes vs. Treadmills You've decided you want to exercise at home. There are hundreds of pieces of home cardio equipment available. The most popular are treadmills and exercise bikes. In deciding between the two, you should compare long-term sustainability, the effectiveness of the workouts, and safety. Tips For Buying A Treadmill Tips For Buying A Treadmill-Buy To Succeed Treadmill Training! According to the Sports Goods Manufacturers Association, treadmills are the #1 home-fitness item, outdistancing stair-climbers, stationery bicycles, rowing machines and cross-country skiers. In fact, some surveys indicate that nearly 40 million Americans run on treadmills. Have Fun With The Nordic Track Elliptical Trainer The Nordic Track elliptical is a lower end priced machine. People who have purchased the Nordic Track elliptical are more than satisfied with their decision. Wheel Chair Ramp Some people order fomr various companies when in need of Wheel Chair Ramp. Others just try do build their own wheelchair ramp, thus trying to save some money or for variety of reasons. In any case you want your Wheelchair Ramp to be the best it can to suite your needs. Questions You Must Answer Before Buying a Treadmill Who is using the treadmill? Home Exercise Equipment ? Start Planning Now for Winter Most of us have a tendency to gain a few pounds in the winter due to inactivity. Losing the added weight gets tougher and tougher every spring because our bodies don't bounce back like they used to. There are some simple solutions to keeping the weight off in the winter that will aid you in your quest of a healthier body, by reducing the stress of seasonal weight gain. Spare A Thought For Redundant Exercise Machines I have an exercise machine that I've used once. Did I hear you say 'Me too'? Tenderizing Meat and Other Uses For Home Exercise Equipment Almost everyone has bought home exercise equipment at some point in their life, be it a few rusty dumbells at a garage sale all the way to a complicated new home gym. Treadmill Weight Loss - 5 Ways A Treadmill Helps You Lose Weight So why are treadmills STILL the #1 home exercise machines with shoppers? And why are treadmill still the most popular exercise machines at the gym? Because they get weight loss results!
|
|
|
|
|
