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Elliptical Cross Trainers Cross Fitness Training In Your Own Home.

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Finding that perfect fitness machine that “does it all” may be more real than expected due to the fact that the latest
research supported, cardiovascular fitness machines are now available on the market. Elliptical cross trainers offer a truly beneficial yet low impact workout. They really are the fitness machine that gives that sought after total body workout.

La Crosse, a research team at the University of Wisconsin, conducted a comparison of a treadmill to an elliptical cross trainer, the NordicTrak Ellipse. Special attention was directed toward the low impact, elliptical motion of the cross trainer in contrast to the high impact walking or running required on the treadmill.

Their research demonstrated the impact level on the cross trainer minimally registered as regular walking. However, running on a treadmill was clearly the top ranking high impact workout most liable to result in pain in the knees, as well as joints. Over a period of time this would lead to joint, bone, and muscles injury, perhaps permanently. Both fitness machines were equal in the intensity of their respective workouts. There were no noteworthy differences between the two concerning calories burned, heart rate, or respiratory rate.

A more recent study was requested by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) to look closely at, and correlate the various attributes and advantages of four different elliptical cross trainers. This study, guided by Dr. Len Kravitz, was supervised at the University of Mississippi.

The four cross trainers selected for meticulous testing along with the manufacturers name and purchase price, from lowest to highest, are as follows:

Guthy-Renkers Power Train – $200
Cyclone Cross Trainer by Quantum Television – $399
Health Rider Elliptical Cross Trainer by ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. – $499
NordicTrak Ellipse – $600

The research team, supervised by Dr. Kravitz, selected seven men and seven women for a total of 14 participants to use the machines for an intense workout to test whether the machines worked differently for males or females, and to compare the calories burned, the stride rate, heart rate, and respiratory rate. All four cross trainers maintained corresponding test results. The perceived exertion ratings varied from 12.5 – 13 confirming the elliptical workouts were challenging yet comfortable . The research team also confirmed that both men and women received intense workouts and the calories burned was proportionate to that of running an 11.5 minute mile.

A survey was also conducted by the research team to gather informative responses from the 14 participants. After compiling their responses, they rated the cross trainers from the most to the least preferred. The most preferred elliptical trainer was NordicTrak’s Ellipse. The least preferred was Quantum Television’s Cyclone, with the other two, the Health Rider then the Power Train being in that order. Five women complained f hitting their knees on the center guard panel on the Cyclone, causing a disruption in stride. After approximately one hour of usage, the Health Rider’s noise level elevated drastically due to low quality parts. Some issues have recently been addressed by the Consumer Reports magazine, concerning the stability of the Ellipse. It is evidently clear that the study requested by ACE proved the Ellipse to be a reliable and beneficial addition to your workout regimen.

Dr. Kravitz made statements alluding that the Cyclone and the Power Train appeared to have been manufactured low quality to manage a competitive price. Th Health Rider received good ratings considering it was made available before the final product had been fully tested. The elliptical motion was fluid and it performed well. In comparison to the other cross trainers, the Ellipse is, by far, more durable with near effortless movement.

Both universities have substantiated NordicTrak’s Ellipse to be highly effective for an excellent cardiovascular workout. Keeping all of this in mind, you may want to compile your own research before you decide on whether an elliptical cross trainer will be productive for you.

Elliptical Equipment The Best Piece Of Fitness Equipment For Your Home

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The newest cardio equipment that has hit the fitness market is the elliptical training equipment. It gives individuals full and low impact body workouts. However, people must learn if these machines have been living up on the beneficial claims.

The University of Wisconsin’s researchers known as La Crosse have compared the motorized treadmill from the NordicTrack Ellipse elliptical trainer. They focused on parts like the cycle ergometer and stairstepper to determine the differences among the provided exercise modes of both equipments. Their study revealed that running a treadmill and Ellipse displays no important differences in terms of heart rate, calorie expenditure, and oxygen consumption. Both equipments have provided superior workouts on its test subjects over the cycle ergometer and stairstepper.

The researchers also discovered that impact forces that are produced by the Ellipse is similar to walking, while running a treadmill became the number one activity in providing maximum amounts of exercise impact, which could cause knee and joint pain. John Porcari who is the lead researcher explained that the Ellipse ground forces reaction is less than a half, compared to treadmill running, thus the motion of each equipment is giving workouts with similar intensity. Moreover, orthopedic injury is less likely to be acquired.

The ACE (American Council on Exercise) commissioned a recent study headed by Doctor Len Kravitz. It was conducted at the University of Mississippi camparing 4 elliptical trainer’s overall qualities.

The equipment being tested are the NordicTrack’s Ellipse selling at $599.95 dollars, the ICON Health and Fitness, Incorporated’s HealthRider Elliptical Crosstrainer at $499.99 dollars, the Guthy-Renker’s Power Train at $199.80 dollars, and the Quantum Television’s Cyclone Crosstrainer at $399 dollars.

Seven women and seven men performed the rigorous elliptical trainer testing. The four elliptical trainers surprisingly displayed similar test outcomes including perceived exertion ratings, calorie expenditure, heart rate, and stride speed. The perceived exertion ratings range from 12.5-13 correlating to a challenging yet a comfortable workout. The ACE’s study on each equipments revealed that effective workouts are given to both women and men. Their burnt calorie was equivalent to an 11.5 minutes mile running or a powerful aerobic dancing.

University of Mississippi’s researchers also surveyed each machine’s personal responses on the provided test subjects. The overall preferences based from the fourteen participants have ranked the equipments from the top to the least of their favorites. The Ellipse is on the top of the list, second was the HealthRider, third was the Power Train, and the last was the Cyclone. Nevertheless, Consumer Reports magazine have recently reported problems on the Ellipse in the form of durability failures. Needless to say the researchers and test subjects have proven the effectiveness of NordicTrack’s Ellipse.

The research team of Dr. Kravitz also provided their comments. Five out of seven women has been hit on the knees by the Cyclone’s center guard panel. The HealthRider started to make an extremely loud noise on its metal parts after a one hour use.

Moreover, Kravitz stated that the Cyclone and the Power Train appears to be made inexpensively to have a competitive price. The HealthRider is a product launched before it’s ready but it’s very smooth when running on it and gives a highly satisfactory service although the quality has not been tested. The ellipse compared to other equipment is more solidly built, feels smooth, runs smooth, and the most durable.

The studies from both universities lend credibility on the elliptical trainer’s effectiveness. Make sure you thoroughly do your own research prior to purchasing any fitness equipment including elliptical trainers.