Elliptical, Exercise & Fitness Articles

We get emails all the time here at the Guru asking us if we can send someone to install an elliptical machine. Unfortunately, although we have become quite good at putting together even the most difficult of ellipticals, we can’t travel all across the country to help all of our visitors build their new machines….we’re sorry! 🙂

But the good news is that we recently came across a new service that might be helpful to you guys. We’ve come across many exercise equipment installers over the years, but without knowing enough about them we weren’t able to wholeheartedly recommend them to our visitors, just in case something went wrong. Read More

You might notice that many companies are now offering hybrid exercise machines, which are basically any trainers that offer more than one workout type. In the case of hybrid ellipticals, this could mean the machine also features a stepper motion, a treadmill like component, a recumbent bike or any combination of the three. But are they worth it?

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Today we take a look at Sunny Ellipticals, from Sunny Health & Fitness, a brand known for offering basic cardio trainers at affordable prices. While you can find plenty of information on the six models they currently offer on their own website, they do not sell their own merchandise directly.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to find Sunny products, as they are available through many popular on and offline retailers including Amazon, Overstock and Walmart. Before we get into the products themselves, though, a little bit about the company…
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Budget elliptical machines are typically those under $500, and they tend to be very basic in nature without the features that you find on more expensive models. Still, they can be perfectly acceptable for those who are looking for a basic workout machine that will help them lose weight and have more energy.

Here is what you can expect from a low budget elliptical trainer:

1. Built for Light Usage – In order to keep prices down, manufacturers have to keep their own costs to a minimum. One way to achieve this is by using lesser grade materials than they would on their more expensive offerings. What does this mean? The machines will not be as durable, not as able to withstand heavy usage or able to last as long.

For casual users, this is not a real problem. For those looking to use the elliptical a bit more, or for taller or heavier users, you might experience problems. Things might break. You might notice very loud noises or squeaking and rattling during usage. That is why you’ll typically find very short warranties on these machines…they tend to break down and manufacturers know it. So only buy a very cheap elliptical if you don’t have the budget for a more expensive, better-buit one.
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Even the best elliptical machines can break down at some point or simply need replacement parts from time to time. When this happens, it’s good to know where you should go to get your machine back up and running.

Here are your options when it comes to fixing your elliptical and finding replacement elliptical parts…

Elliptical Manufacturer

The first thing you should do is to check whether the broken or malfunctioning part is still covered under warranty. Depending on the brand and the model, the parts warranty could range anywhere from one year to five years. If it is still under warranty, you can contact your elliptical manufacturer directly and get it replaced for free.

If the warranty has expired, you can still buy the part directly from the manufacturer. You can place an order online and get it delivered right to your doorstep.

Prominent brands like ProForm and NordicTrack have a separate section on their website for parts and manuals where you can find all the information you need about replacement parts.

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Finding the right elliptical machines can be much like buying a new car…there are many different makes and models that come with a wide variety of features. The quality of the workout you get depends on the type of machine you buy and the different features that it offers.

Most people take a few basic features into consideration when choosing a machine, including stride length, the footprint of the machine, the resistance it offers and how easy it is to program. But there are a few other features that you might also want to think about before making your choice.
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Elliptical vs. treadmill…the age old (well, not that old) battle between two of the most popular home exercise machines available today. Which one is better? Which burns more calories? Which one is easier on your joints? Here we explore the topic and hopefully answer some of the most important questions so that you can make the right decision when it comes to buying one or the other for your home.
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Many visitors ask us to recommend the best elliptical brands that they should be narrowing their choices down to. Just a few years ago this was a much easier question to answer as there were really only a handful of manufacturers to choose from. However, with the rising popularity of elliptical machines for use in the home, there are now a lot of different companies to choose from.

Elliptical training machines are quickly becoming the preferred method of workout among exercise enthusiasts. `That’s because these machines can mimic the natural feel of running without putting the same kind of stress on the body. Elliptical workouts can help you do everything from cardio training to burning calories and they have a number of features to help personalize your workout.

The best choice for you really depends on what you are looking for. There are some really good entry level machines that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then there are gym-quality ellipticals with all of the bells and whistles you could ever ask for? Is one better than another? That’s debatable.
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Many times we’ve been asked, “I’m over 6′ tall…what elliptical should I buy?” It’s a very good question as there are definitely some things you’ll need to consider as a taller user.

Finding the right elliptical training machine can be a tricky proposition if you are above average height. Certain features will vary depending on the height of the user, and individuals who are 6’ tall or taller can have a more difficult time finding a machine that allows them to get a good workout without feeling uncomfortable on the machine. Fortunately, the top manufacturers all have an eye toward making their products work for all users so there are machines out there that are well suited for taller users. Read More

If you’ve been looking at exercise equipment these days you’ve likely come across something called iFIT. It is one of the latest developments in the world of fitness machines. Many of the latest makes and models of ellipticals and treadmills feature built in iFIT technology. But what exactly is this feature and is it really worth spending a little bit more for an elliptical machine that includes it?

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about iFit in a nutshell:
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