Bowflex Home Gym Fitness Blog

Stamina InStride Electronic Stepper List Price: $48.54 Sale Price: $46.22 You save: $2.32 (5%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating:

Description

Limited in space but still want a great cardiovascular workout? Look no further than the Stamina InStride electronic stepper, which offers a footprint of only 12 inches wide by 16 inches long. As a result, you can use your InStride stepper just about anywhere--in front of the TV, while on the phone, in your sunroom, outside on the patio, or even at work...

Features

• Electronic stair stepper that takes up a mere 192 square inches of space
• Small enough to fit in a corner, in front of the TV, or in a travel bag
• 2 hydraulic cylinders create stepping motion to boost cardio
• Battery-operated fitness monitor times each workout and counts steps
• Measures 12 inches wide by 16 inches long; weighs 20 pounds

It has really only been in the past decade or so that the technology in fitness machines of all types has gone through their most notable advancements. This doesn't mean that there weren't fitness machines prior to that because there were lots of them. It just means that in more recent times they have become more advanced in their functions and features and also frankly, more durable.

An Amazingly Broad Range of Prices

The stair stepper is a fine example of this. For example to begin with the range in all the various makes and models is absolutely incredible now. It's not just the number of types, but the price range as well. For instance, you can now find a simple working mini stair stepper being sold at WallMart with a price tag in the area of $50.

The Inexpensive Mini Stair Stepper

The $5,000 StairMaster By StepMill

Then the very top model currently on the market is the StepMill, made by StairMaster and it features a a price tag of a little over $5,000. Of course there are many more types and models in between these two extremes in prices but it just goes to show the incredibly broad range in diversity that's out there on what is in effect the same machine.

So Just what Defines a Stair Stepper?

Well almost the same machine. This is because in truth, what actually defines a stair stepper isn't in the machines themselves but rather the stair stepping motions that you're legs are doing when using them. In the end, this is why there is such diversity in price, form and feature functions in this one particular category of fitness machine.

The StepMill By StairMaster

Do You Really Need a Stair Stepper Downstairs?

This is also a great time to point out one other very important fact that you may want to consider. This is that given that the stair stepper is so singular in its functions. That is that it will really only allow you to do stair stepping exercises. If you have a set of stairs available in or near your home, you may want to consider that you're money may be better invested elsewhere.

Perhaps Other Types of Fitness Gear?

After all, do bear in mind that the machine is going to take up space and if you have nice set of stairs already, why not consider making better use of that space and money on perhaps something like a compact weight resistance machine or a treadmill for instance?

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer List Price: $799.00 Sale Price: $599.00 You save: $200.00 (25%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating:

Description

Ideal for the home gym for fitness enthusiasts of any skill level, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer provides an effective cardiovascular workout by combining upper and lower body flexibility and coordination into one impact-free motion...

Features

• BioGlide motion technology allows for a comfortable and natural 18-inch elliptical stride
• BioFit footpads and handlebars offer a comfortable feeling while working out
• Features eight computer controlled resistance levels
• Grip heart rate monitoring on handlebars helps you track your workout
• Measures 59 inches long by 26 inches wide by 68 inches tall; includes a water bottle holder and transport wheels

So just what is an elliptical machine or an elliptical trainer and why on earth does the word or phrase itself seem so new and foreign to you? In simple terms, an elliptical machine or what is also more commonly refered to as an elliptical trainer is a stationary mechanical device that was designed to simulate walking or running.

The Benefits Without the Impact

So why simulate walking or running when either of them are so easily done inside or outside? The answer to that, is that the idea or concept behind the elliptical machine is that it allows the person using it to gain all the benefits of walking or running, without the risk of impact injuries. You see, the feet never actually leave the surface peddals on an elliptical trainer.

Now the reason that these machines seem so new to you, is because they are. In fact, believe it or not the very first elliptical machine was created only back in 2004, which isn't very long ago. The concept came to man named Larry Miller, who was studying films of runners in the hopes of coming up with ideas for reducing the impact damage on the lower body.

Understand that elliptical machines now come in many forms and being that they are so new, it's only reasonable to expect that even more developments in variation will eventually come available. Even so, the two basic styles as it stands today, are the elliptical machine that has the hand held upper body components and those that don't.

Super Affordable But No Feature Options

Then there are also electric powered machines that can come with any number of features on a console to basic user powered machines that are operated in much the same way as bicycle is. That is that they are simply peddled by the user. Other basic features that you can find on todays machine are adjustable resistance, which decreases or increases the amount of energy required to use the machine and include feature that changes the pedal motion paths.

Even so, it's is very important to understand that two elliptical machines manufactured by two separate companies that both look exactly alike can “feel different” when in operation. For instance, one common complaint about lesser quality machines, is that in spite of the upper body hand held arm bar being in place, all of the energy that's required to power the machine must be expended at that pedals.

Full Featured Elliptical Machine

This is to say that the arm bars may be going back and forth but when the hands are placed on them the sensation and effect is that the arms and upper body are simply “going along for a ride.” The legs tire faster and in spite of appearances, there is no real upper body workout. However; on the better built machines this is not the case.

The higher quality elliptical machines are designed and engineered such that they require energy input from both the arm bars and the pedals. At the same time, the user has the option of self regulating how much work or energy he or she wishes to contribute from the upper and lower body.

What this means is that during workouts, if your legs become tired you don't need to necessarily stop. You can simply ease off on the paddling and allow your arms and upper body to pull the machine along while your legs rest. Of course the end result is longer, thorough, more comfortable and far more satisfying sessions.

P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program - 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner List Price: $150.00 Sale Price: $139.80 You save: $10.20 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating:

Description

Tired of ineffective workouts that sound great but produce less-than-optimal results? Turn to the P90X Extreme Home Fitness system, a bundle of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days...

Features

• Get lean, bulk up, or grow stronger, with an endless variety of mix-and-match routines to keep you motivated
• Muscle Confusion technique accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus
• Collection of 12 highly diverse and intense DVD workouts
• Also includes comprehensive three-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options
• Personal trainer Tony Horton will keep you engaged every step of the way

Over the past three or four decades, home exercise equipment has gone through quite a number of changes. All spurned on by a going demand. Not just a demand for more technical advancement but rather a demand for things that actually work.

Who Can Forget the Thighmaster???

As an example adds for cheap gimmick equipment have for the most part, pretty much tapered off. Remember back about a decade ago when you couldn't turn on the TV without encountering the latest spring loaded, cheap plastic devise that promised results in three weeks for only $19.99?

Don't get me wrong because there's still cheap crap out there but todays customer base is simply a lot more savvy than they used to be. Also everyone today has spent a decade or so of seeing yard sales stocked with last years wonder devices. Thigh-Masters, Hula-waist-trimmers and even those electric shock, muscle stimulator's that are pretty much out & out fraud.

Solid Lifelong Gear

The first thing that you need to understand before you buy anything in the way of home exercise equipment is that you're best served by investing in quality equipment. You see, getting in shape and staying in shape is a life-style not a New Years resolution.

Also understand that your health and fitness are the best investment you can make in your lifetime. Your fitness doesn't depreciate in value and your wife or husband can't make off with it in a divorce. You'll look better, feel better and in turn attract more like minded people. You simply can't lose.

The Best Investment You Can Make

Also quality equipment holds it value. This doesn't imply that at some point you're going to peter out and want to sell it. Rather, what is the more likely scenario is that you'll want to graduate up. Either you've outgrown what you have, or perhaps a spouse or children enter the equation and their needs warrant an upgrade.

The best piece of advice you can get with regards to selecting out and buying any of todays home exercise equipment is to join a gym for a while. Not only will this allow you to become acquainted with so much of it. It also allows you the time it takes to settle into a fitness routine that you know you're going to stick with.

Only then can you go shopping knowing what you want and how your going to use it. Even so, make some time to research all thats out there because there are some types of amazing new home exercise equipment, like treadclimbers that gyms don't have that may fit your style.

Also take the time to check out guarantees, service policies and payment plans as well. You my be surprised how easy it is to buy so much of todays top rated home exercise equipment through their own easy payment plans. Also don't forget that there will always be great discount deals on used machines and equipment.