Cardio Cruiser Exercise Equipment

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Even if you don’t care about having six-pack abs, studies show excess belly fat is unhealthy. Turns out that just 30 minutes of weight lifting a week can make a big difference.

Men’s Fitness offers 101 ways to get rid of a flabby gut — and if you’re lazy, it’s not as bad as you think. With just 10 minutes a day, or 30 minutes of weight training per week, you’ll see a greater reduction on waist size than almost any other variable.
Click below for extensive options on how to blast that bulge!

101 Ways to Lose Your Gut [Men's Fitness]

Colder weather is approaching rapidly for those of who live in the northern regions of the United States. This is a good time to start thinking about alternatives to outdoor exercise. Perhaps it is time to invest in a treadmill, elliptical trainer, or exercise bike. I have not forgotten than many folks in all parts of the country simple prefer to exercise in the comfort of their own home.

To assist in your decision the blog will carry a series of articles on exercise equipment. The first of the series will provide a review of treadmills. The following is a synthesis of reviews by Consumer Search from reviews by Consumer Reports, Runners World, Prevention magazine and TreadmillDoctor.com.

There’s a wide range of prices and quality among treadmills, with cheap models available in discount stores for as little as $300. But there’s a world of difference between these cheap treadmills and the $1,000-and-up models recommended most often in professional reviews. The difference is aptly represented by the manufacturer’s warranty. Treadmills costing less than $1,000, including the Epic 450MX and Image 19.0 (*est. $600) often come with just a 90-day warranty on parts and labor. Spending more gets you much better warranty coverage. The Sole F80 (est $1500) has a service warranty that covers the deck, frame and motor for a lifetime, other parts for five years and labor for two years.

Spending more for a treadmill like this will get you better insurance against breakdowns. This is important when you’re considering fitness equipment that weighs 200 pounds or more, where a technician will need to come to your home for repairs.

Cheaper treadmills costing less than $1,000 not only carry shorter warranties, but most also don’t perform as well in tests. While they may be lighter in weight, inexpensive treadmills can also be less stable, offer fewer features and have smaller and narrower belts. The Weslo Cadence G-25 (*est. $300), for example, is an ultra-compact treadmill. Its belt is just 43″ x 13″, compared to the 55″ x 20″ (or longer) belts found on other models. This means the outsides of your feet can never be more than 13 inches apart or you’ll step on the side rails, and the 43-inch length will barely accommodate a walking stride. TreadmillDoctor.com editors say that treadmills in this price range have “cheap, cheap parts.” They say the following about the Weslo G-25: “If you can keep this working for more than a workout or two at the 6 MPH top speed, contact us because we’ll try to get your machine in the Smithsonian.” While reviews say the Image 19.0 (*est. $600), another compact treadmill, should only be used for walking, at least it has a wider 19-inch belt. The Epic 450MX has a 20-inch belt. Even so, the warranty for both of these is only for 90 days, and there’s a 300-pound weight limit on these machines, so they are inappropriate for heavier walkers.

Reviews say that with treadmills, you generally get what you pay for. Fitness experts recommend that serious runners start shopping for treadmills at the $2,000 mark, although less expensive treadmills are fine for walking. Editors at Runner’s World agree; the best treadmills for running are priced over $2,000. For our report, we paid close attention to what reviews are recommending in the range of $1,000 to $2,000. That money should get you a good warranty with at least a full year of in-home labor coverage, plus better construction and more features than you’ll find on cheap treadmills. Reviews suggest that frequent runners or households with more than one runner should consider spending even more.

Best treadmills, $1,000 to $2,000:  In years past, we’ve seen good reviews for Smooth treadmills. Although we did not see as many reviews for them this year, we didn’t find any evidence that their treadmills are not still good choices. This company’s treadmills are sold mainly online, so one drawback is that you can’t try them out in person. TreadmillDoctor.com says that since this company has grown so large so quickly, customer service has suffered. We did read a small number of complaints about unresponsive service at Epinions, but overall, owners seem happy with their treadmills.

The Smooth 5.25 (est $1000) is a standout in its price range. The display panel is highly readable, and it folds up to save space. The Smooth treadmill has six programs and a heart-rate monitor on the handgrip. At 52″ x 20″, the Smooth’s belt is shorter than those on more expensive models, and it has a comparatively low 275-pound capacity. However, this treadmill is backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and five years on all other parts, with one-year in-home labor coverage. Reviews say this is a good-quality treadmill mainly for walking. Heavier individuals will need a treadmill with a higher weight limit, and taller people may need a longer belt.

The upgraded Smooth 6.25 (est $1600 is a better choice for occasional runners. This treadmill is a step up from the Smooth 5.25 (above) and has both a longer 54″ x 20″ belt and slightly more power, with a 2.75-hp motor. Like the Smooth 5.25, it folds for storage and has a handgrip heart-rate monitor (with optional chest strap), but it also has two more preset programs, for a total of eight. The relatively low weight capacity of 275 pounds makes this treadmill more appropriate for lighter runners.

TreadmillDoctor.com says the Sole F80 (est $1500) is “The best treadmill under $1,500″ although we had a hard time finding it in stores for that price. The Sole F80 has a 55″ x 20″ belt, a bit longer than both Smooth treadmills above, and a higher 335-pound weight capacity. The Sole treadmill also folds for storage, and it has the useful feature of speed and incline controls on the side rails. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame, deck and motor, along with five years on other parts and an impressive two years on labor. It has six preset programs, a 2.5-hp motor and handgrip heart-rate monitor, with included chest strap. If you’ve stayed in a Hilton hotel recently, you might have used a Sole treadmill; Hilton now has in-room Sole treadmills in many of its hotels. This Sole treadmill has the best warranty in its price range.We found some good reviews for Vision Fitness treadmills, but this manufacturer has been subject to a recent recall for some of its console panels, which could speed up unexpectedly.

The Vision Fitness T9200 Simple (*est. $1,400) doesn’t have a heart-rate monitor or any preset programs to help vary your workout. Vision Fitness does offer a lifetime warranty on the frame (with one-year labor), and the treadmill has a 325-pound weight limit. TreadmillDoctor.com says the T9200 is a good “starter” treadmill. One reviewer also recommends the step-up Vision Fitness T9500 Deluxe (*est. $2,000), which has an orthopedic belt to cushion your run. The Bodyguard T240 (*est. $1,900) is cited as the best treadmill in the $1,500 to $2,000 range by TreadmillDoctor.com, though we did not see this brand tested elsewhere.

The Bodyguard T240 has a 57″ x 20″ belt, a 350-pound weight limit and six programs, with an optional chest-strap heart-rate monitor. This treadmill’s greatest strength, according to reviews, is its quality construction, which is backed by a superb warranty for this price range — lifetime on the motor, ten years on parts and three years labor. This company also makes Polar heart-rate monitors.

We found a good review for the Keys Ironman 320t (est $1000) . TreadmillDoctor.com says the list price of $1,500 isn’t very competitive, but we found this model pretty substantially discounted in stores. The folding Ironman treadmill has a 2.5-hp motor, an included chest-strap heart-rate monitor, handgrip pulse sensors and a 350-pound weight limit. The belt measures 56″ x 20.” The frame carries a lifetime warranty along with ten years on the motor, two years on other parts and a one-year labor warranty. The Bowflex 7 series(est $1500) is made by Nautilus. Here again, TreadmillDoctor.com says this treadmill isn’t much of a deal at its $2,000 list price, but we found it in several stores for about $500 less, making it a lot more appealing. We also found a couple dozen good reviews for this model at Amazon.com.

The Bowflex has a large 60″ x 20″ belt. This folding treadmill has handgrip pulse sensors plus a heart-rate monitor, along with a 3-hp motor (good for this price range) and 300-pound user weight capacity. The frame has a 15-year warranty, along with ten years on the motor, two years on other parts and one year labor. If you can find it on sale, the Bowflex treadmill competes with the Sole F80. The Sole has a longer warranty period and slightly higher 335-pound weight limit, along with a 15 percent incline. The Bowflex has a larger 3-hp motor (2.5-hp on the Sole) and 5-inch longer belt, but a shorter warranty and 12 percent incline adjustment.

Budget Treadmills for Walking:  The image 19.0R, along with other inexpensive treadmills, has only a 90 day parts and labor warranty, the shortest in the industry. Even so, reviews say the Image treadmill is fine if your fitness plans only include walking. This treadmill has a wider 19 inch belt and a stronger motor (2.8 horsepower) than some other budget models. Even so, regular runners and walkers will need a more durable treadmill. It folds up for storage and comes with a handgrip heart-rate sensor. The Image treadmill has a user weight limit of 300 pounds.

Best mid-range folding treadmill:  According to treadmill reviews, the Sole F80 is the best in this price range, with a strong warranty (20 years on the motor, five years on parts and two years labor), as well as options that are comparable to more expensive treadmills. The Sole has a 335-pound weight capacity, and its 55″ x 20″ running surface is longer than other treadmills in its price class. It has six programs, plus speed and incline controls on the armrests, and both handgrip and chest-strap pulse sensors. The Sole treadmill folds up for storage. The Sole F80 is best for walkers who want to try the occasional run, but it won’t take the same pounding as a more expensive treadmill.

Best treadmill for running:  The Life Fitness is a favorite of professional runners for its shock-absorbing deck and customizable controls. This treadmill can also save user data and favorite workouts for several family members. Its 58″ x 20″ running surface is long enough and wide enough for most runners and its 3.0-hp motor is smooth and quiet. An included heart-rate monitor works in conjunction with special programs to keep you in your heart-rate zone. It has a high 400-pound user weight limit, and is backed by a lifetime frame warranty with ten years on the motor, five years on other parts and one year labor.

Runner’s treadmill with negative incline:  Reviews say the PaceMaster Platimum Pro VR is unique in that it has a negative incline (down to a -3.0 grade) — helpful for runners who want to strengthen the fronts of their legs by simulating downhill running. Some testers say this treadmill is helpful in preparing for hilly races like the Boston Marathon. The PaceMaster’s Constant Effort Compensation mode adjusts speed to keep your exertion level constant. It has a 3.0-hp motor, a long 60″ x 20″ belt and a 400-pound weight limit. The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR is one of the few treadmills still made in the U.S.

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WEEK 13, 14 and CONCLUSION

Week 13 was my final recovery week, followed by an additional week of exercises I felt were necessary to make sure I gave the complete P90X program all I had. I owed one Yoga and one Kenpo, not to mention there were a few times when traveling made a some other workouts less than optimal. So, my final week of P90X went like this: Day 1: Shoulders, Chest, Triceps; Day 2: Yoga; Day 3: Back and Biceps; Day 4: Kenpo; Day 5: Legs and Back; Day 6, rest, Day 7 Core Synergistics. I did the Ab Ripper 3 more times, mainly for the after photos, not because I got any enjoyment out of it.

Day 97: CONCLUSIONS
“You have choices in life,” Tony Horton says in one of his non-P90X workouts. “Some people wake up with coffee and bagel. I wake up like this.” It’s easily said, but even easier to think of excuses as to why you can’t work out in a day. The first time I attempted P90X a year ago, when I only got through the first month and a half, I had a lot of excuses for why I needed to skip a workout. One of the things I’m proudest of is that I didn’t give myself excuses this time. Whether I had a 9-to-5 job and full weekends of swing dancing, or whether I was a full time Lindy Instructor who had thirteen hour days at dance events, whether I was sick or tired, there was only two times where I didn’t get in the day’s workout. I didn’t keep up with a few television shows, I didn’t get to see as much of my friends as I wanted, I didn’t sleep in late as much as I would have liked. But after having done it for three months, I can honestly say that it wasn’t that bad; even if my skinny body will take a lot more work before it produces bulging muscles, it was worth it.
Also, it gave me an enjoyable, if overblown, sense of superiority over buff guys in gyms who stopped working out after only 30 minutes.

WHAT NEXT?
One of the most important changes that happened to me over the course of p90X is that I stopped looking for an end point. At the beginning, I said to myself, “I’ll get through the 90 days, then, man, imagine the break I’m going to take from working out.” Then, slowly, over time, I started thinking about what I wanted to do next. The imagined break I planned on taking was no longer going to be a month, but two weeks, then one week, then a few days. I want to keep going, especially because I just now feel that I’m getting the hang of working out, and it’s just now becoming a habit, and its one I want to keep.
I originally was going to reward my hard work with some form of (probably close-fitting) clothing, but now I think I’m going to order P90X Plus and maybe buy some heavier weights. Before then, I have a plan of my own devising I’m going to try out for a month, the big thing being it’s all new exercises to give me something new to do. It involves a collection of independent Tony Horton workouts, including his recent Plyo Legs Workout, a 40 minute intense Yoga (yes!), and a new ab workout. After summer traveling, I plan to start P90X Plus. For a person who once found working out profoundly boring and intellectually un-stimulating, it feels good to recognize that my body at least looks forward to working out.
By the way, I don’t think I ever personally thanked Naomi Uyama for the name “P-Lindy-X.” It was a joke name she made up, and it stuck.
Anyway, I’ll be sure to rate any new workouts I try out, and will probably do a smaller, less intense journal on P90X Plus.

STATS
Total abs ripped:

X-TREME COSTS
Protein for the last two weeks. $100.
While traveling, I bought a water bottle in order to make recovery drinks easier. $5.

TOTAL COST SO FAR: Approx. $1,560
Obviously, most of the things I have bought are usable for quite awhile. I now have a mini-gym, complete with work-out mat, pull-up bars, push-up bars, weights, heart rate monitor, and yoga equipment. My DVD player has served a lot other uses, as well. But, if you didn’t have this equipment to begin with, like I didn’t, I’d recommend getting them to get the most out of your P90X experience. The real cost, however, was in time.

TOTAL TIME COST:
For each workout, there is preparation, shower time, and take-down time. When adding in additional grocery and sports store shopping, I allotted about an extra twenty minutes for each workout. This means that, including Ab ripper, three days a week are about 1:40, Yoga is about 2, and Kenpo and plyo are merely 1:20.
After three months and two weeks of working out, this comes to roughly 135 hours dedicated to working out. Though it seemed a lot when I had to do it every day, I realize that’s only a few days worth of waking hours for improved health and energy, it seems pretty cheap.

GENERAL RESULTS:

Muscular: Around the second month, I increased the weight I was using for bicep exercises by around 5 pounds. Around the third month, push-ups and pull ups became noticeably easier, increasing my numbers greatly from my first month reps. I still can’t do the thirty the guys in the video do, but I’m a lot better off than where I began.

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Today, there are many fitness crazes that come and go. As each fad comes, people come running after it. To accommodate such fads, several machines are also manufactured. They, too, do not always last long as they also go out of style right along with the fads. Sometimes, a new idea is welcomed that actually sticks around and gains popularity as it has been proven to work. A recent invention that is quickly gaining popularity is the Elliptical Trainer. More and more fitness centers are adding elliptical trainers to their stables of equipment and they are fast approaching the popularity of other machines such as treadmills and recumbent bikes. This is one machine that appears to be here to stay. Here are 6 elliptical trainer benefits and reasons as to why they are becoming so popular.

1. The Elliptical trainers allow the user to burn a similar amount of calories as jogging but with more ease. Feet never leave the pedals which makes this machine low impact and easier on the body, especially the joints. Doing running exercises on an elliptical trainer is equivalent to running in midair as the body does not feel the impact.

2. This machine has been recommended for users who are elderly or for people recovering from a joint injury. This is because of the lack of impact experienced by the body.

3. Elliptical trainers work the entire body, both upper and lower. As the feet are going in an elliptical motion working the entire lower body, the upper body is getting a workout from the rotating movement of the handlebars thus allowing the user to tone their arms.

4. Because the elliptical trainer works the entire body all at once, the heart rate climbs more quickly thus optimizing the body energy making for a more efficient workout.

5. Users of elliptical trainers can often burn more calories in the same amount of time as they could using other machines such as treadmills.

6. When using the elliptical trainer, one can adjust the intensity of the workout. They can set the resistance levels to what works best for them. This feature is great to adding tone to the body. Say good by to flabby buts and thighs–forever!

Next time you are at the gym, be sure to try the elliptical trainer if you have not already. Some people especially beginners to cardio workout find them challenging at first and you may not be able to stay very long, but if you increase your workout each time, you will soon get used to it and it may well because your favorite machine for your cardio workout.