jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

How are you going to get your exercise this winter?  You have decided that you like the elliptical best, but how do you decide which one is best for you?  There are many misleading articles and reviews out there.  How do you find the truth?

Here is a common sense approach to making sure you make a good decision on purchasing your elliptical trainer:

FIT AND FEEL – The fit and feel of all elliptical trainers are different.  Whether its a front drive, rear drive, center drive or whatever kind of drive – it needs to feel good.  What makes for a good feeling elliptical in most cases is the bio-mechanics of the machine.  This is one category of research that can only be done in a store that has equipment on display for you to try out.  Go into the store dressed to workout.  Be prepared to spend 3-5 minutes on each of the machines they have to try.  Within this time there are several things to point out that will make a huge difference in how the machine works with your body.

Octane Q37ci

PEDAL SPACING A.K.A. “Q” FACTOR- Pedal spacing is critical to keeping your knees, hips and ankles in alignment when on an elliptical.  Imagine having paint on the bottom of your shoes and walking in a straight line.  If you were to measure the distance between your feet – it is minimal.  In fact, the faster you move, the more your feet want to naturally overlap one another.  While this is not possible on an elliptical because the pedals have to clear one another, the closer the pedals are together, the more comfortable it will feel.  Keeping your joints in proper alignment keeps you from stressing your tendons and wearing on your cartilage.  Many of the smaller footprint and cheaper machines have a very wide pedal spacing of 4″-6″.  What you want is as narrow as possible!

STRIDE LENGTH – Many articles say look for a XX” stride length.  The reality is we are all different sized and have different leg lengths.  You may be shorter but have longer legs and enjoy a longer stride than most people your height.  As a general rule of thumb, 19″-21″ seems to be the sweet spot for most people.  There are also now brands offering an adjustable stride length.  This can be especially useful when you have members of the family that are very different in height.  While some are a manual adjustment (you physically pull a knob and make an adjustment while the machine is not in use), others are an electronic adjustment that allows you to push a button and adjust stride while the machine is in use.  If you end up going with an adjustable stride, make sure it is easy to adjust and well made so it doesn’t result in just being another thing to break on your elliptical.  Again, the most important thing is that the stride length is comfortable and feels good while you are using the machine!

Vision Fitness S70

UPPER BODY – Definitely get something with an upper body component!  This is another thing to pay close attention to the fit and feel of.  The upper body component on many machines is not very comfortable.  Oftentimes the arms are very wide and move more than they should causing a tugging and twisting of the back while in use.  Look for something with a converging hand-path or multi-grip handlebars to maximize flexibility and comfort while in use.  Again, get on the machine and make sure you don’t feel like you are being tugged or pulled in an unnatural position.

PROGRAMMING – There is everything available from manual programs that adjust with the push of a button to interactive heart rate training that optimizes the resistance to keep you within your ideal training zone.  With the flexibility of how ellipticals have changed exercise there are several new methods such as Octane Fitness‘ workout boosters and cross circuit programming and Vision Fitness‘ Sprint8 program.  Both of these workouts will push you to maximum results with new methods that keep you from getting bored.  What it really comes down to is buy what you will use.  If you like to do it yourself, go minimalist.  If you like having lots of options – splurge.  If you buy quality you will likely have the machine for 10 years or more.

SPACE CONSIDERATIONS – For an elliptical to work properly with your body, the minimum floorprint is about 5′ long by 3′ wide.  Most of the machines available are less than 7′ long, but if you plan for 7′x3′ you are pretty safe.  The so-called mini ellipticals are not a true elliptical range of motion and in some cases are so flawed they can injure the user.  Another thing you want to think about with ellipticals is ceiling height.  If you have a low basement ceiling (7′ or less), it really limits your options.  Octane is the best for basements – only adding 6″ to your standing height.  Some brands will add as much as 18″ to your height.

Well that is about as much info as we can give you without coming down and trying them out to find out which brand fits you best.  See you soon!