Elliptical Machine Injury
Elliptical? Walking machine? Do the space saving ones work as well?
I would really like to get some kind of walking machine or elliptical before next winter. Problem is, I don't have space. I want to consider one that can fold up and be pushed under a bed. Do these work just as well or have a high failure rate?
I also have a question on the Elliptical. I had to quit using the bike trainers because it was causing severe pain and swelling in my knee (injury many years ago). Would an elliptical cause a similar problem?
If space is the most important thing to you, I would consider a folding treadmill. They dont really make folding ellipticals but they do tend to take up less space then a non folding treadmill. The on benefit with folding treadmills is they can store away when youre not using it. As far as quality, folding treadmills are fine as long as you get a good quality one.
The problem with Treadmills is, I find them boring, and I think Treadmills may be harder on your knees. Treadmills definitely have a higher impact rate.
They both are excellent when it comes to cardio. But what it it all comes down to is what you're going to stick with. You may want to go to a gym first and work with them for a while to see which one you like more.
If you are considering what kind of treadmill or a cross trainer to get, I recommend going to http://whenrunninginplace.com. They take all the reviews from the different online reviewers and come up with an average score/rating for the different cross trainers and treadmills. You can also see side by side comparisons for all the different models. You should check it out if you are looking for a treadmill or a cross trainer.
Personally for me, I would choose the Elliptical. Ellipticals tend to have a lower impact rate then treadmills which prevents my knees from hurting. And for me, Ellipticals seem to be more fun and interesting. Part of getting in shape is sticking with it. So your workout has to be as fun as it can be. For me, treadmills are boring and I cant motivate myself to stick with it. I always hit the cross trainer when I go to the gym though. I can get a good full body workout and my body isn't hurting after.
Cardio Exercises - Elliptical Machine
Precor are world renowned for engineering top grade commercial fitness equipment. Designed for the demands of constant daily use, their equipment is hard wearing, well constructed, reliable and provides the most modern of features for a great workout. Their elliptical machines are no different and the Precor EFX 546 version 1 is a prime example of Precor's expertise.
The Precor EFX 546 elliptical machine, essentially designed for commercial use, has a price tag of around $5000 new but what you pay for is really what you get. However, the market trend shows that most elliptical enthusiasts are who want this kind of value for a much cheaper price, are now buying remanufactured versions of the Precor EFX 546 version 1 online for around $2500-$3000. It depends on where you trust to buy from.
If you read any other reviews you will only hear the praise that these elliptical machines receive. To start off I must emphasise the reliability and durability of the Precor EFX 546 elliptical machine. The sheer bulk of these ellipticals keeps them firmly grounded and with heavy duty component parts, breakdowns are very rare. Precor has like with all their equipment, tried to make this model space efficient and upon delivery or movement, the equipment is friendly to most standard doorways.
The main difference with the Precor EFX 546 version 1 and other elliptical machines in it's price range, is the fact that it only offers lower body movement. Some may find this as a weakness as the handles remain in a fixed position but this should not hinder you from thinking twice about this elliptical machine.
The ride on the Precor EFX 546 elliptical machine is extremely smooth as you would expect for the price and grade. The smoother the ride, the lower the impact is on the body during the workout. This is especially good for users recovering from injury and also for preventing injury over the long run.
One great feature of the Precor EFX 546 version 1 is the adjustable cross ramp incline. At 13 degrees the stride length is 21" and 24.7" at 40 degrees. Not only will this allow a 6ft user to train comfortably but the variance in incline and stride length allows you to target every muscle group in the lower body. This is extremely good for creating those buns of steel!
Included in the features are 8 workout programs with 12 levels of incline and resistance. This is more than enough to perform a great diverse range of workouts. The display is quite compact and shows all the readings such as speed, distance, heart rate, calories, time, etc that you need. One cool selling point which is not on many elliptical machines displays is the body diagram that shows you which muscles you are targeting. The magazine, book stand is ample size and convenient but if you are working out from home, you will more than likely have TV or music for entertainment.
Pros - Great workout, Strong, Durable, Stride Length, Incline, Reliable, Quiet, remanufactured machines are affordable
Cons - Price of new machine, no upper body movement
In summary, I have to say the Precor EFX 546 version 1 is for top grade elliptical machines, an awesome piece of equipment. For users looking to target their lower body I highly recommend this elliptical. Buying new is not likely to be affordable for many but at half the original price, a remanufactured model will give you all the same benefits (just minus the depreciation). Even if a remanufactured model is much too expensive, the likes of the Schwinn 430 or the Sole E35 will still help produce similar results.
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Simon P is currently the author of www.elliptical-machines.net and is dedicated to providing fresh information and product reviews on everything about elliptical machines. There is no need to doubt elliptical machines so why not join every other home elliptical user and click here for more FREE information. You have nothing to lose but weight!
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Precor EFX 546 Version 1 Elliptical Review
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InMotion Elliptical Trainer Gym Machine $119.74 *Stay in shape with this InMotion elliptical *Workout equipment is compact and lightweight enough to use at home or the office *Home gym equipment stores easily *Burn a similar number of calories as jogging without the risk of injury *Because your feet never leave the pedals, the elliptical gives a low-impact workout that is easy on your joints *Adjustable tension to control workout intensity level *Foot pedals can be worked in a forward or reverse direction *Electronic fitness monitor displays number of strides per minute, total number of strides, exercise time and calories burned *Overall dimensions: 24 inches wide x 17 inches high x 11 inches long |