Treadmills For Fitness!

If you’re in the market for a low-impact high value workout then you need to take a close look into Schwinn ellipticals. These elliptical machines give everything you need to get your body that high intensity cardio workout you’ve been seeking. Schwinn ellipticals give you a safe and efficient workout because they deliver no impact to your knees and ankles. Even people with knee and back problems can get the workout they seek as there is no need to lift your legs and subsequently no jarring impact of your feet hitting the ground. The foot plates on the Schwinn ellipticals are articulating, which means they are adjustable to your comfort.

The movements on an elliptical trainer are smooth, and one of my favorite features is that they are practically silent. You feel no vibration while working out on the on the machine, even at high speeds. They also boast many features you want to have in a cross training machine, such as an LED display to give you information about your time, speed, distance and the calories you burned in each session. There is a heart rate monitor located in the hand grips, and this provides you with the vital numbers you need to keep track how you’re doing.

The dual action handlebars on Schwinn ellipticals allows you use your arms and legs in conjunction with one another so that you are getting the whole body workout you need. With a treadmill you can choose to walk, jog, or run. Elliptical trainers have you walking or jogging on air, while you exercise your arms and shoulders with a motion that simulates cross-country skiing. Walking and running are definitely the best possible exercises that help you build up stamina, develop your bones, strengthen leg muscles and of course burn calories. The unique exercise in elliptical trainer however will help you achieve all these with less effort.

You’ll want to get an elliptical trainer with adjustable incline. This aids in getting you the kind of vigorous workout that combines intensity with a compressed time frame, getting you the best workout you can in the least time available.

Schwinn ellipticals offer all of this and more! They have several models, ranging from the budget-conscious Schwinn 430 and 431 Elliptical trainers, as well as the fantastic Schwinn 460 Variable Stride Elliptical Trainer.

To get the best prices for Schwinn Ellipticals you need to head over to Amazon. They are quite a bit lower than their nearest competitors.

1 Comment

The Image 10.0 Treadmill was another entry level treadmill made by Icon fitness, which is also the maker of such brands as Weslo, Proform, and others. They make a lot of lower priced treadmills or the basic user market.

The Image 10.0 treadmill was a decent machine, with a roomy 50” x 18” non-slip tread belt, and a pulse sensor and that will measure your heart rate. It also featured a computerized console that allowed you to visually track your progress with 4 feedback windows, showing the speed, time, distance and calories burned.

The Image 10.0 treadmill was a passable choice if you were in the market for a budget machine, are not planning to do any running, and you were in need of a folding treadmill for easy storage.

Icon has come up with a good replacement that we can easily recommend, and that would be the Image 17.5 Treadmill.

1 Comment

Icon Fitness came out with the Proform 495 pi Treadmill some time ago and it has since been discontinued. Whilke it was around, it covered the budget end of the tradmill spectrum, offering a low cost exercise machine that boasted ProForm’s patented space-saving design, four large LCD displays, a 0 to 10 percent power incline, and and an 18-by-45-inch non-slip tread belt.

It featured a ProTech impact absorption system that reduced joint impact by up to 15 percent compared to road running, along with a fan that’s built right into the console. Other features included an EKG heart rate monitor, convenient beverage or key holders, a handy foldable design, and an 18-by-45-inch non-slip tread belt.

The Proform 495 pi Treadmill was a decent entry level treadmill in its time, but that time has definitely passed. It was good for walking only, as the belt was not the strongest, and would let down (literally) larger folks who decided to venture out a bit and start running. There may still still be some available here and there, almost always used models. You can do much better than this these days, and get a much better treadmill for about the same money.

My suggestion is to look at the ProForm 675 Crosstrainer Treadmill, which will give you a lot more bang for your buck, and get you on the road to being more fit!

No Comments

What Are the Differences?

Bowflex is easy on your body!

Tired of reading and hearing about Bowflex and the other gyms. Surely there is something not so bulky, or costly, that gives a comparable workout. A search through the vast spaces of the Internet yielded this possibility: Bodylastics. The Bodylastics system features the use of elastic bands, like big rubber band. Clips placed in various places on the bands allow you to alter the amount of resistance you get from the Bodylastics. Then, the exercises work the same muscles that the traditional fitness equipment does - except you don’t have to add a bunch of weights to bars!

Bodylastics vs. Bowflex

Some exercises are done by standing on one end of the elastic bands and stretching the other end with your arms in various movements. Other exercises are done in the opposite direction- by hooking your foot through the handle and holding the other end with your hand and using leg muscles to extend the band outwards. You’re pulling against yourself, unlike Bowflex which has you pulling against rods. Elastic bands offer more resistance as your muscles complete the full stretch of motion. Many people want to know what the difference is between free weights (like dumbbells) and elastic band training? There is little difference. You use the resistance of bands instead of the resistance of dead weight. Your muscles get stronger using elastic bands in the same way they get stronger lifting weights. Their unique patented system also allows you to hook the bands to a door to get a workout on either both arms or both legs simultaneously. They claim it won’t damage your door. Now a little scratch might not bother you at home, but it could be a big problem on the road or at someone else’s house. The padding looks up to the job.

Other Considerations

Bodylastics fitness equipment let you travel with your “gym” as well. Somehow, the idea of checking your Bowflex through at the airport just doesn’t jell. But with Bodylastics, the bands, handles, and clips can all fit into a bag and slide into your suitcase or even an airplane carry-on bag. For an additional ten bucks a month, you can sign up for their Strength Band University. It has programs designed for specific sports like golf and martial arts. Small 15-second video clips demonstrate the exercises clearly. This is not rocket science with detailed technical drawings and jargon. It’s more like a better mousetrap. Simple, easy to use, inexpensive and it gets the job done. Bowflex and Bodylastics Comparison (This comparison uses Bowflex as a stand in for all home gyms of this type.) Cost: Bowflex tends to run over $1,000. The Bodylastics offers a comparable work out for under $50. You can’t get commercial quality for peanuts, and Bowflex does deliver quality. But for those of us on a slim budget looking for a way to slim down, Bodylastics is a good choice. Space Requirements: Bowflex takes up an entire corner of a room, more with certain models. The Bodylastics can be used in most any room and then thrown into the corner, or under the bed. Space, who needs space.

Which to Choose?

Action: Bowflex features patented Power Rods and a lot of bulky fitness equipment that some claim does not allow for full, smooth motion. The Bodylastics are large elastic bands with clips to alter resistance that others say has greater range of movements and offers very natural, smooth motion. If you’re used to the Bowflex or commercial gyms, you may want to stick with what you know and buy a Bowflex, Weider Crossbow or other home gym alternative. But if you’re new to working out, have space restrictions or are on a budget, Bodylastics may be the choice you need to make to get and stay in shape.

2 Comments

Here we take a look at BodyGuard treadmills a brand that rank very highly in polls, consumer reviews and professional reviews. They’ve only been making treadmills since the mid-nineties, but they’ve quickly developed quite a reputation for quality and innovation, receiving many awards from across the fitness world. Let’s take a look at why.

BodyGuard Treadmills are not the cheap garden variety treadmill you may find at your local discount store. These are serious machines for someone equally serious about getting the most for their money, and the best workout machine they can buy. Not to say that these treadmills are all out of sight price-wise either. They make models ranging in price from around $2000 to the highest around $4500. All of these treadmills share the same attention to detail, well thought out design and innovative features as the higher end treadmills.

Some of the features that make Bodyguard Treadmills stand out from the crowd would be things like electronic stride control, that regulates the speed of the motor, keeping it constant even if the incline changes or other variables change.

The “Sorb-a-Deck” helps the deck absorb impact shock and prevents ‘bounce back’ due to the way it flexes, making it a terrific running surface.

The motors on Bodyguard treadmills are very powerful, continuous duty units and they handle the large belts and their spacious running areas hardly breaking a sweat.

The warranties are also excellent, typically offering a lifetime on the frame and motor, 10 years on the parts and 3 years on the labor.

Probably the best value among Bodyguard Treadmills would be the BodyGuard T240 which runs around $2,000. This one is perhaps one of the best choices in the market at that price point. Another would be the T280p. All Bodyguard products come with great features, and if you decide to opt for a BodyGuard Treadmill, chances are you’ll not be disappointed!

2 Comments