Cardio Cruiser Exercise Equipment

This video shows how to assemble the Masai Fitness Power Recumbent Bike. Visit www.masaifit.com for more information.

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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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The importance that exercise plays in the health of the individual is now universally recognized. Everyone should be incorporating exercise into their life as a regular part of their life routine. As true as this is, there are special reasons why regular exercise helps those in recovery lead a healthier life. Exercise improves a person’s outlook on life and raises their sense of well being. This eliminates any desire to reach for a drug to artificially improve how you feel in life. Many people have used drugs in the past to compensate for negative feelings. However, if you greatly alleviate, or even totally eliminate these negative feelings, your need to compensate for them with drugs will no longer exist. This is exactly what happens to most people when they embark on and carry through with a program of regular exercise.
When you hear the word “exercise” do you think of it as something that is pleasant or unpleasant, as fun or work? How you feel about exercise plays a role in how often you will do it? Have fun when you exercise because if you are having fun when you exercise, you will automatically find it more pleasant. Focus on how good it feels to move your body. Remember also, if life makes you stressed and tense, exercise automatically releases stress and tension and gives you more energy. You can’t help feeling better about life and yourself too. So think of exercise as a wonderful way to make yourself feel better in just a short amount of time.
If you’re feeling stressed and down, exercising will pick you up and make you feel better and more resourceful. And by releasing stress, you will no longer be drained of energy from stressors and tension creating situations that occur in your daily life. What did you do in the past when you had a stressful day? Did you hurt yourself by doing unhealthy things like overeat, drink, smoke or worse? Now you will be making a conscious choice to do what makes you healthier, while achieving the exact same goals of relieving your daily stress and making yourself better, with fun exercise. You’ll have made a new commitment to yourself to treat yourself better by respecting your physical being and becoming healthier and healthier.
Later on in this article I will discuss an often neglected aspect of the health promoting qualities of exercising, but first I want to discuss what types of exercises are best for you.
The most valuable exercise and the most valuable piece of equipment for doing this exercise is obvious, but usually not known by most personal trainers, who often seem to have a particular favorite regardless of the individual they are advising. It is, to put it succinctly, any exercise that you will enjoy doing regularly. People often ask fitness advisors what piece of equipment they should buy to work out on. Well, the correct answer is the one you will enjoy using and thus will use consistently and regularly. For example one person might enjoy a rowing machine in their home, while another might enjoy a treadmill. While, again, another might enjoy using a climber or stair-like workout piece of equipment. People have different tastes, and that must be recognized and acted upon. Just because your friend has an exercise bike at home, doesn’t mean you should get one instead of say, an elliptical trainer that you would find more fun.
Often people are being advised to “watch television when you work out,” I, on the other hand, typically advise my clients, to “work out when you watch television.” When you are listening to your favorite music, you can also work out at the same time. If you have time to watch your favorite TV shows or again, if you have time to listen to some of your favorite albums, then, right there, you DO have time to work out, which can be done at the very same time. You probably have noticed that there are television sets in fitness centers. This strategy can easily be applied within your home. So have the equipment right there in your television room, and get on it whenever you watch television. In fact, a sedentary life style created by people spending hours sitting in front of a TV can be totally turned around, so that watching TV becomes the thing that propels you along the new path of getting a lot of exercise into your life. You don’t even have to go to a gym, you don’t even have to go outside, and you don’t even have to set aside extra time, just do it while you are watching your favorite TV programs in your own home.
Of course, you can also get good exercise and fresh air at the same time with an outside exercise such as walking, jogging or biking. However, you should only do these if you enjoy them. Since running can leave some people with wear and tear injury because of its impact nature, walking is more highly recommended because it is much safer.
It might surprise some of you that I believe that strength training is equally as important to good health as aerobic exercise. Doing aerobic exercise can improve the strength of your muscles, but only up to a certain point because a particular aerobic exercise will provide only so much resistance, so that after awhile, you are only maintaining the muscle you have already developed and not building any more muscle. The value of strength training for the health of every individual is becoming more and more recognized in the fitness world. It is now accepted that working out with heavy resistance provides benefits far beyond just being stronger and looking better.
Today using heavier resistance, moving at very very slow tempos, in both directions, and quickly reaching the point of failure, when you just cannot move the resistance any longer, is considered the best form of strength training. At the moment when your body tries but cannot overcome and move the resistance any longer, your muscle will signal your body to stimulate muscle growth to increase your muscle’s strength, and also improve the metabolic functions employed in the use of your muscles, so that any future challenge can be more easily met. Maintaining a slow rate of movement in both directions eliminates the effects of momentum, and counters the effects of gravity as the weight inside the workout machine is being lowered. This system of slow training with heavy resistance creates a more intense and productive workout while lessening any potential injury to the body, both through the very slow speed of movement and the reduced number of repetitions. This is the form of strength training I recommend, both to achieve the results you desire and protect you from any injuries. Because of the large increase of the resistance you will be dealing with, this method of working out is best done only using exercise machines, rather them free weights. In addition, proper form must be maintained at all times, both to prevent injury and insure you will get a proper workout that will provide all the benefits that are intended. When people hurry through their strength training by doing many rushed repetitions instead of going slowly, and jerk the weight, twist their body, clench their teeth and hold their breath, they are doing wrong things that will only keep them from making good progress in a safe way. I want to further reiterate that no matter what type of weight training you do, it is essential that you breathe freely and never ever hold your breath.
The positive side of this increased effort from using much heavier resistance, and slower and fewer repetitions in your fitness center’s machines, is that your sessions working out can be much much shorter in duration. With this new method that is more and more recognized as the best way to train, you can be finished with your complete workout in a surprisingly short time while achieving better results than you might have experienced the regular way. Strength training this way strengthens your bones, improves your cardiovascular health, improves your flexibility, makes your joints more stable and less prone to injury, and by improving your metabolism, helps you replace fat with muscle! Your added muscle will make everything in life easier to do and make you feel more energetic, thus, raising your spirit and mood.
Some people promote weight training as the complete answer to becoming and staying fit and insist that there is no additional need to be active. The truth is that even were you to work out with very heavy weights a couple of times a week, if you aren’t staying active the rest of the week you will not be able to maintain your health. The reason for this is that an integral part of keeping yourself healthy and young is the working of your body’s lymphatic system. Unfortunately this aspect of staying healthy has not received the attention it really deserves. This system is particularly important for the health of anyone in recovery since its main role is detoxification. Most people who have abused drugs have taken in and inundated their body’s systems with toxins. It is very important for those in recovery to do all that they are able to remove these substances from their bodies as quickly and thoroughly as possible. And then, because of a need to continue to feel and be healthy to stay away from drugs, those in recovery should remain on a program that keeps their bodies detoxified and clean.
The lymphatic system is the metabolic cleanser of the body. It draws in and carries toward disposal the many substances that need to be removed for the cleansing and detoxification of the body’s systems, including toxins, dead cells, cancer cells, nitrogenous wastes, fatty globules, pathogenic bacteria, infectious viruses, foreign substances, heavy metals, and other waste byproducts that the cells give off. However unlike the blood’s circulatory system which has the heart to pump the blood through its system, the lymph system lacks a pump to move the lymph fluid with all its waste through its many capillaries and ducts toward disposal. It is absolutely vital that the lymph fluids continue to flow in order to eliminate waste from the body, otherwise the toxicity of the body will increase leading to poor health and disease. Using a set of one way valves, lymph is moved along the vessels of the lymph system by the movement and contraction of the muscles during activity. Now you understand why just working out once a week, is not enough even though that will give you more muscle, stronger bones and a better working metabolism to burn calories to become and stay thinner. Spending the rest of the time sitting in your office 9 to 5 during the day, and in front of your television as a passive and sedentary person during the evening, will not keep your lymph system properly active to promote health. Without regular exercise, the toxicity of the body would build up because of a relatively inactive lymph system.
One very good exercise that is fun and can be done while watching television or listening to music is rebounding. Running or jumping up and down in place on a rebounder burns calories effectively. Using one of these mini-trampolines is remarkably gentle on ones joints and avoids the wear and tear of other similar activities, and it can burn as many or even more calories as other similar activities like running and jumping rope.
But more importantly, in regard to our present discussion on detoxification during recovery, this bouncing activity, running or jumping on a rebounder, effectively moves and recycles the lymph within the lymphatic system. In the end, it is very effective for detoxification and for continuing to keep your body in a cleaner less toxic state.
Those of you who have not been exercising and keeping your body in the best of health are going to be surprised and delighted with how much better you will be feeling and enjoying life when you have a stronger body and you are getting a lot of health enhancing exercise.