No doubt about it. September is a great time to take the plunge and get started on your own home gym. Cold weather is right around the corner and the back to school busyness (and sales!) are heading into high gear. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, and recumbent bikes all offer a great way to bring your workout into the comfort of your home. How do you choose the one that’s right for you?
Recumbent Bike: Why you want one: You’re looking for a no-impact, comfortable option to start exercising, recover from an injury, or to complement your higher impact cardio workouts. Because you’re in a seated position with your feet at a level similar to your body, recumbent bikes offer one of the lowest impact forms of exercise. By working with the interval and hill functions on your machine, you can still get a fantastic workout, but you’ll find the machine is easy to use and easy on your back and knees. The large, comfortable seat makes the recumbent easier on your backside than other stationary bike options and because you’re sitting in a natural position, you reduce the strain on your shoulders, neck, and spine. By bringing the seat closer to the pedals, you can also engage your lower abdominal muscles. Best of all, you’ll find getting started on the recumbent is incredibly easy. Just take a seat and get ready to start on a fantastic workout for your lower body and your heart.
Elliptical Trainer: Why you want one: You’re looking for a challenging cardio workout with a minimum of impact. Recent studies show that elliptical trainers allow exercisers to burn calories at a rate comparable to running with a lower level of perceived effort. They provide the benefit of training different muscle groups through using both backwards and forwards pedaling motions, as well as toning for the upper body through use of the arm handlebars. Elliptical trainers use very little electricity and stop moving when you do, which can reduce intimidation or the risk of injury associated with a moving belt. Throw in the potential for challenging workouts that are easy on the joints and it’s easy to see why elliptical trainers are one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment.
Treadmill: Why you want one: You’re looking for a workout that most closely mimics the movements of running or walking outdoors. While there’s no complete substitute for running or walking outdoors, treadmills are your closest indoor alternative. Treadmills also offer lower impact than running and hiking on roads and pavement while still allowing you to build bone mass and train the muscles needed for these activities. While elliptical trainers require getting comfortable with slightly new movement, treadmills allow exercisers to run and walk in their usual manner, making them less intimidating for some users. To get the most out of your treadmill, change up your workouts regularly, using variations of not only speed, but also incline in order to increase the intensity of your workouts.
For more help choosing the equipment that suits your training needs and to see some of our cool new fall products, take a look at our product line here. Want to weigh in? Post here and tell us, why did you choose your exercise equipment? What about it works for you?