In a bid to lose a few pounds after uni (too much alcohol & too many takeaways) I was looking for a good all round exercise machine, and elliptical trainers were recommended by some friends.
"Why?" I enquired.
"The answer is simple" came the reply, "they are a great cardiovascular work out and the pedals mimic the body's natural movements when running, so essentially you are running, but there is no impact - saving your joints and bones!"
"Genius!" I replied.
And so my quest to buy a machine began.
After looking at a variety of makes and models, I decided upon the York 3100 Elliptical Trainer & Cycle. It looked the sturdiest, could handle the most maximum weight (16 stone - not that I was this large, but obviously the larger the maximum weight, the stronger the machine), was from a brand that I had heard of and trusted ...
Advantages: Smooth, comfortable, challenging, lots of programmes, Robust! Disadvantages: A bit expensive, but I still think worth it
) The exercise is self powered, but the level of resistance is controlled by the onboard computer
Physiology
It is thought that the elliptical trainer is one of the best pieces of equipment designed for weight loss and burning calories. The main reason for this is because you are working both the upper and lower half of the body, thus, stimulating a larger number of muscle groups. Infact, an elliptical trainer in nearly all tests carried out has been shown to be as effective as running on a treadmill, however the perceived rate of exertion is much lower (i.e you don?t feel like your working as hard but you are!).
The elliptical trainer hits nearly all of the major muscle group in the body.
Upper: Bicep, Tricep (Arms), Deltoid (Shoulders), Trapezius and lats (Back)
Middle: Abdominals and obliques
Lower: quads and hamstrings (Upper ...
Advantages: Durable, rugged, great value for money, easy to use. Disadvantages: Calorie counter isn't that accurate
I needed a replacement for an inferior V-Fit elliptical that broke within 2 months of buying it and set about looking at alternatives. A local gym instructor suggested I take a look at the Reebok range since they have a good reputation for quality, ease of use and being good value for money.
After a lot of looking around, reading up and research I decided to buy the Reebok 3 Series elliptical trainer. That was just over 14 months ago and I know that I made the right decision in purchasing this model.
****Assembly****
When I opened the box I was amazed at the amount of pieces that needed putting together. That said, everything is clearly labelled with the ?L? or ?R? sticker indicating where it should go. Whilst a sticker may be a bit patronising at first it is very useful since the pieces do look very similar and it is not easy ...
Product Information for "Octane Q37e Elliptical" »
Product details
Long Name
Q37e Elliptical
Type
Steppers / Walkers / Skiers
Manufacturer
Octane
Manufacturer's product description
Octane Fitness has revolutionized elliptical cross trainers to fuel the most effective, efficient workouts for the ultimate results.With Octane''s superior ergonomics that replicate walking, jogging and running, your lower-body motion is incredibly fluid and comfortable. And now enjoy extraordinarily natural upper-body movement using the unprecedented Converging Path handlebars and the revolutionary MultiGrip. Breakthrough electronics fire up your motivation even more.Features and BenefitsConverging Path- ergonomically designed, converging handlebars to deliver most natural upper-body workoutMultiGrip handlebars- combined with the NEW Converging Path for the best ergonomic workoutArmBlaster- Includes a separate program in which exercisers can customize the number of arm repetitions and the resistance levels to boost upper-body strength along with cardio endurance.X-Mode and GluteKicker- key features that prompt users into ultimate cross training positions to fire up results featuring custom time and countdown timers.1.8'' pedal spacing- mimics human biomechanics for most natural stanceSuperior electronics- including HeartLogic Intelligence with wireless heart rate featuresFive heart rate interactive programs- programs challenge exercisers to maintain target heart rate for most effective, customized trainingLowest step-up height- 4'' makes getting on and off the machine effortlessSpace-efficient footprint- smaller than comparable ellipticals and treadmillsNew stationary handlebars- posture-perfect with a built-in accessory tray for water bottle, personal stereo and phoneMOM Mode- protects small children from injury by disabling console buttons and increasing resistance levelLarger transportation wheels- makes moving machine simpleSpecificationsStride Length: 20.5''Pedal Spacing: 1.8''Step-up Height: 4''Max User Weight: 300 lbs.Footprint: 29'' x 68''Footprint - Live Area: 32'' x 79''Product Weight: 260 lbs.
