|
 |
SPECIAL SECTION |
 |
|
Leisure Fitness
What's out there....
Click here to view this story as it appeared in print
You've narrowed down your choice to a piece of cardiovascular equipment. Or, perhaps, your fitness goals have led you to a home gym. With so many categories of equipment on the market and smany pieces within each category, how do you narrow the field? "We can provide a wealth of information about all types of equipment," says Frank Williams, store manager of Leisure Fitness in Bethesda, "but, if you have the time, it never hurts to familiarize yourself with what's available and what they have to offer."When weight loss, improved heart and lung function, reduced risk of heart disease, or lower cholesterol levels are chief among your goals, fitness equipment that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing is the best choice. Cardiovascular fitness equipment includes treadmills, elliptical crosstrainers, and stationary bikes, both recumbent and upright.
TREADMILLS
Treadmills remain the top choice for home exercise. More than 4 million units are sold each year in the U.S. The treadmill gets the popular vote year after year because the exercise is completely natural and low-impact, no hard pavement. There are a number of things to consider before purchasing a treadmill - power, speed, programs, belts, deck, incline and handrails.
* Continuous-duty horsepower is what's important in a treadmill. What is the maximum power the treadmill can sustain over 24 hours of non-stop use?
* Treadmills typically run from 0-10 mph. Check to be sure the treadmill has a low starting speed syou won't be jerked off balance by a sudden start. If you don't plan to run, there are models designed solely for walking.
* To program or not to program? This decision is very personal. Programmable treadmills offer a variety of courses to keep exercise programs interesting, motivating, and challenging. Some people, however, find them unnecessary.
* A treadmill's belt size translates directly to its available walking surface. Seventeen inches wide, with ample length to accommodate a comfortable stride, should be the minimum.
* Decks should be durable, low-or-no maintenance, and shock resistant. While firm, it should "give" a little under your stride. The deck should absorb some of the shock that normally goes tyour ankles and knees.
* Power incline lets you raise and lower a treadmill's elevation while you're walking or running. There's no stopping to use a lever or crank.
* Select the handrail that is most comfortable for your body size and level of use. There's no right or wrong, only what works for you.
ELLIPTICALS
Elliptical crosstrainers have been the hottest thing in fitness for the last five years. Sales in 2004 grew by 20 percent with some 500,000 units sold in this country. Ellipticals provide both seasoned athletes and deconditioned users with a safe, effective cardiovascular workout. The non-impact "elliptical" motion - which combines walking, stepping and cycling in one movement - has allowed people who couldn't exercise in the past, due to physical ailments or joint pain, to workout once more.
* Stride length should be comfortable. Some models only offer 14 inches, too short for many people. Look for 21 inches.
* The ability to move in a forward or reverse motion adds variety and challenge to a workout and reduces the risk of injury from repetitive use.
* The elliptical motion should be fluid, both forwards and backwards. Avoid those that jerk or have a kick in their motion that forces your heel off of the platform.
* Look for an elliptical with resistance levels that can be adjusted electronically. This allows the incorporation of interval training into an exercise routine.
* Some ellipticals have upper body handlebars tadd an upper body workout element. When testing a machine with this component be sure botupper and lower body motions are comfortable and intuitive.
* An adjustable ramp incline can add variety tyour routine and move the focus to different groups of muscles. This feature is not often found on an elliptical with an upper body feature.
* Pre-programmed workouts can add variety, heighten the challenge, and increase motivation. Not everyone considers these programs a "must have."
* A well designed elliptical should be virtually silent at all intensity levels. Listen as you put the elliptical through its paces, adjusting the ramp running different programs.
BIKES
Exercise bikes are a popular choice, especially when space is at a premium. The upright style often is recommended for serious cyclists who want to ride even when the weather prevents them from going outside. Recumbents work best for users that need additional back support or enjoy a more comfortable riding position.
* If more than one person will be using the bike, look for one that will accept a wide range of height and weight. Keep in mind that some bikes have a maximum weight capacity.
* Determine the type of resistance that you like best. Resistance is generated in several ways among stationary bikes.
- Direct tension allows users to turn a knoor adjust a lever to change resistance.
- A flywheel is heavy. It regulates resistance and ensures the smooth operation of a bike. Users pedal to create the kinetic energy needed for the wheel to maintain resistance.
- Air makes you work but also keeps yocool. Pedal against the airflow from a fabuilt into your wheel. The harder you pedal, the greater the resistance and the stronger the breeze.
- Magnetic resistance is created and monitored through magnetic currents.
* Most bikes keep track of how many miles yohave pedaled, at what speed, and for how long. Some bikes have an onboard computer that alswill keep track of your heart rate and the number of calories burned.
* Like treadmills and ellipticals, some bikes come with pre-programmed workouts that simulate rides in the hills. Some allow you to create your own custom rides.
STRENGTH-TRAINING
If increasing bone density and lean muscle mass or improving balance, stability and mobility leayour list of goals, then strength-training equipment may be in your future. When it comes tstrength training, the home gym is a popular choice. In 2004, men were the primary purchasers, accounting for 47 percent of home gym sales.
Home gyms offer a full-body, strength-training workout. User-friendly designs allow you to workout efficiently in a basement or spare room. More so than any piece of fitness equipment, a home gym should be purchased after consultation with a trained home fitness consultant.
"Most people don't realize the importance of strength training," says Williams, "and often neglect to include either home gyms or free weights in their home fitness program. A well-balanced exercise program will include both," he says. This can be achieved even if space and budgets are tight.
