Northwest Fitness Blog » workout boosters

Octane Q-series Elliptical Overview

nwf11pdx — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 22:29:58 +0000

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

What happens when you mix a great feeling elliptical trainer with the best technology? AMAZING RESULTS! That is what you can expect from the latest Octane Fitness Q-series ellipticals. In this post we will talk specifically about the Q37xi and Q47xi models with the iPad compatibility and new SmartLink technology.

We already know that Octane makes a great feeling elliptical. Their patented movement patters and excellent biomechanics make their ellipticals easy on your joints, and fun to use. They are easy to get on and off, plus have a low step up height which makes them the ideal choice for any basement or low ceiling height situation. Their displays have now been upgraded and simplified to offer a sleeker, more refined user experience. Octane has added a light bar that gives the user critical feedback to let them know how hard they are working. The light bar also is the indicator of when to start and end strength exercises during cross-circuit workouts, and is now multi-color to enhance booster programs like glute kicker and arm blaster.

Not only has the console itself been upgraded, but now the xi models offer bluetooth connectivity to any iPad2 or newer. By downloading the free SmartLink app, the user makes their workout experience much more interactive, intuitive, and user friendly. It takes the traditional programs and adds categorization for easier understanding of the intent of the program. The user can choose from 12 “lose weight”, 20 “feel better”, 12 “tone up”, and 30 “athletic performance” programs that include live video to show you what to do and when! Check out the videos on this blog and then come see it live at the store.

What the heck is X-Mode?

nwf11pdx — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:25:52 +0000

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

If you are like me, you get bored quite quickly with the typical programs available on most elliptical trainers. Hills, Fat Burn, etc. They are all variations of resistance change. X-Mode is something different, something better. X-Mode offers a variation of body positions, resistance levels, directions, and focuses that make it exciting and get rid of the typical elliptical boredom.

Octane Q37ci

I am impatient. I’ll admit that. Looking at a countdown timer that started at 30:00 and slowly makes it’s way to 25:00 and then to 20:00 is hard for me to keep mentally involved in my workout. That is what I love about X-Mode. It gives me a short 1:00 countdown for the particular segment that I am in. The next minute is something different, and the next. With the constant change in workout, the time flies by and I am able to remain focused and push myself to really get the most from my workout.

If you have never had a chance to do an X-Mode workout, come down to the store and we will set you up to try it on a great Octane elliptical. See you soon!

Strength and Cardio in one machine???

nwf11pdx — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:05:27 +0000

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

One of the most commonly asked questions by customers in our stores is, “Do you have a machine that will do both strength training and cardio but not take up my entire living room?” With the introduction of the Octane Fitness x-Ride, I can proudly answer “YES”!!!

The xR-6 offers a unique elliptical range of motion from a seated position. What this creates is an ability to isolate upper or lower body, along with a strong resistance system that gives the user the ability to optimize their time spent working out.

My favorite type of training is interval training. Interval training is defined as short bursts of intense workout followed by a short recovery period, then repeat. When I am on the x-Ride, I like to do this using the manual program along with the “leg press” and “chest press” workout boosters. It is easy to set up, and it automatically prompts you with what to do next.

Octane Fitness x-R6

I start off at level 5 on manual using legs and arms. Not that tough, but it gets the blood pumping. After a couple minutes of warmup, I hit the “leg press” booster and this is when the magic happens! The resistance increases by 10 levels (now at 15) and I move my hands from the multi-grip handles to the seat handles in order to isolate the legs and maximize my leverage. The console counts down my reps from 15-1 and when the set is complete, the resistance goes back to 5 and I resume total body at the recovery rate for 1 minute until the next set comes up.

After 4 sets of leg press, my blood is pumping and my heart rate is really moving. Now its time to get the upper body going. I switch to the chest press booster. The chest press is similar to leg press, with the following differences: I simply move my feet onto the foot pegs, isolating my upper body, and it counts down 10 reps instead of 15. I also mentally use the chest press motion as two different exercises. The first two sets, I do focusing on the chest press motion (the push motion one arm at a time). The second two sets I focus on the upper back and biceps (the pull motion one arm at a time).

After a short total body cool down at level 5, I have completed a total body strength and cardio workout in only 20 minutes and man do I feel good!

The best part about the booster programs is you have the ability to customize them to your specific fitness level. You can adjust the recovery time from 30 seconds to 10 minutes (I use 1:00), you can adjust the reps from 5-99 (I use 15 for leg press and 10 for chest press), and you can adjust the level increase from 1-19 (I use 10).

If you have not gotten fueled by the x-Ride yet, come by the store and give one a try. Come dressed to workout, because I can guarantee you will getting in the best workout you have had in a long time!

http://www.nwfitnessportland.com/fitness-exercise-equipment/ellipticals/octane-elliptical-xR6-X-Ride.asp

Octane Fitness xRide Series Ellipticals from Octane Fitness on Vimeo.