Elliptical, Exercise & Fitness Articles

There are many factors to consider when purchasing an elliptical machine, including programs offered, the footprint of the machine, the resistance levels it affords and of course the price. However, arguably the most important factor of all is the one that most people tend to overlook and that’s stride length. Getting a proper workout from your elliptical machine depends largely on ensuring that you are using the right stride length for your height.

Stride length is defined as the distance from the toe of the front pedal to the heel of the back pedal when they are at their widest separation. This should correlate to a natural walking stride for a person of a given height. The taller you are, the larger your natural stride length will be. Likewise, the taller you are, the larger you’ll need the stride length on your elliptical to be.
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Recently we were asked to do a Body Rider Dual Trainer review, as this machine has become quite popular. As soon as we saw the price tag we were of course very skeptical….an elliptical trainer and a recumbent bike together for under $200? Yikes.

But in fairness, we took a look and gave it a test drive. We’ve been impressed with some of the lower priced models lately, so we went into this review a little less skeptical than usual.

So here goes… Read More

Elliptical training machines generally come in two styles, front drive and rear drive. This refers to the placement of the flywheel mechanism that powers the machine. If you’ve ever been to a gym, you’ve likely seen mostly rear drive models, with the wheel at the back. The majority of home models, on the other hand, tend to have the wheel on the front, although that is slowly changing. There are also newer models that have a center drive, a third option which you will learn more about below.

But when it comes to getting an elliptical workout is there really a difference? Read More

We were asked recently for a Bowflex Max Trainer review as many of our readers were intrigued by this relatively new exercise machine from the makers of the TreadClimber, Select Tech dumbbells and of course, the eponymous home gyms.

How does it compare to an elliptical? Is it better? Is it worse? Is it worth the $999+ price tag? Please Guru, break it down for us!

OK OK, you don’t have to twist my arm. Here is my take on the Max Trainer, which is currently available in three models: the M6, the more jazzed up M9 and the new Max Total 16.
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The E 11.9 is the second front drive elliptical trainer in the NordicTrack Elite Series. It is slightly more advanced than its sister model – the E 8.9 – and offers some of the best features in its class.

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We get asked to recommend a compact elliptical all the time. And let’s face it, most of us have very limited space in our basements, garages or other areas that we want to put our exercise machines in.

Fortunately, there are options when it comes to small and portable elliptical machines. You just have to know where to look.
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Overview: The A.C.T. Commercial 7 is a center drive elliptical trainer from NordicTrack. A mid-level model in the company’s Mid-Mech Commercial Series, the machine comes with a web-enabled full color display, adjustable stride, and a number of other features.
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The E 8.9 is a front drive elliptical training machine from NordicTrack. It is an entry level trainer offered by the company as part of its Elite Series machines. Sturdy and compact, the machine is loaded with features and comes with a surprisingly small price tag.

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I can’t tell you how many times each day we get an email asking us to recommend a cheap elliptical machine. We’ve responded to hundreds of visitors, and decided we’re probably much better off making this a regular post so everyone can benefit from our expert advice.

Let me start off by stating that as with anything else, when it comes to ellipticals you get what you pay for. That’s not to say that you have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good machine. Most of us will do just fine with a $500 elliptical. But keep in mind that you’re not going to get all of the features that you might want (or need) nor will you get a machine that will survive years and years of wear and tear if you spend a couple of hundred bucks total.

So what do you do if you really want a quality machine but just don’t have the budget for it? Here is what we recommend:

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The SpaceSaver SE9i is a rear-drive elliptical training machine from NordicTrack. It is the latest model in the company’s SpaceSaver series and an upgraded version of its sister model – the SE7i.

The machine is beautifully designed and looks quite stylish. It is loaded with an array of features. So, how good is it really?

Let’s take a look at this elliptical machine…

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