Not so far in the past, oval exercisers established a new level in the wide range of exercisers offered for individual workout routine. These oval exercisers have since managed to win thousands of people and make it the preferred exerciser for cardio workouts. Each passing year there has been an upsurge in the quality and popularity of these exercisers.

Those who are into being fit are always looking for a way to work the whoel body and have it done simple, and with the most benefit. It also helps if it can be used at home and where they usully work out. This machine can do that for the lowest level of fitness up to those who are in perfect shape.

Keep in mind, when attempting any exercise routine, consult with your physician concerning your health and physical ability to operate the machines.

Research centered on the world of exercise, shows that sports or physical activity consisting of constant movement like running, soccer, tennis, etc. is better for your overall health, specifically bone density. A workout on an oval exerciser may not seem to compare with such high impact activities, however, oval exercisers produce a workout just as challenging due to the options offered on different models. All this without damaging to your joints, muscles, and bones.

The oval exerciser consists of two platforms (or pedals) and -if your model comes with these- two dual movement arm bars concentrating on the upper body performed simultaneously with the elliptical workout. The platforms move in an oval direction while stepping up and down, which closely copies the natural movement when running or walking. Possibly the most attractive advantage of these exercisers is the fact that because your feet constantly remain on the pedals, there is little or no impact to the joints or bones. Due to the natural movements involved, you are able to increase your workout performance at far less of a risk than is offered by most other "total body" exercise equipment.

The Track Record of Elliptical Trainers Compared to Treadmills

Statistics show that elliptical workouts, due to the lack of concentrated impact maintain the lead against treadmills. With little or no impact, you will not fee the workout in the wrong places such as your joints, which will assist in increasing your exercise time since there is no pain. as a result you could burn the same or more calories as on a treadmill, but at a much higher comfort level.

Treadmills require the user to walk, jog, or run which meas the feet are alternately raised up then lowered. The impact level increases dramatically as you increase the level of your workout intensity. This high impact movement often results in the irritation of old injuries and heightens the risk for new injuries. Your knees, ankles, and back are at risk for severe joint damage if the high impact exercise is repeatedly engaged in. Due to this, the cross trainers are most preferred by people afflicted with knee, back, and ankle problems.

On the cardio workout level, ellipticals are equal with the treadmills, because of the option of an added workout from the arm bars which treadmills do not have, hence the total body workout. These arm bas can be used to intensify your workout, or you can merely focus on an excellent, thorough lower body workout.

Letting Your Elliptical Trainer Work For You

There are many benefits to choosing an elliptical trainer for your exercise equipment. One of the most important being little or no impact exercising. The cross trainers offer extensive cardiovascular workouts, as well as total body conditioning if your machine includes dual arm bars. Because of the low impact, pregnant women as well, though at a high risk for injuries when exercising, are able to use elliptical workouts without risk to themselves or the child they are carrying.

The one featured option that truly places the elliptical cross trainers on a higher efficiency level is the reverse feature. This allows you to pedal backwards, resulting in a more thorough workout for muscles groups that might not usually be taxed throughout the course of an exercise routine. These near effortless movements, either forward or backward, result in a workout that focuses on the abdomen, back, buttocks, and leg muscle groups. This, added to the option of changing your incline and resistance levels, produces the coveted "total body" workout.

Know the Brands and Models

The following are the most preferred elliptical cross trainers available along with their purchase prices:

Fitness Quest Eclipse 4000 - Top model with extra features and varying prices, $1000 or better. Precor - Between $2000 and $4000 and are most popular in gyms and health clubs. NordicTrak Elliptical - Starting at $700 and higher. Comparable to the ProForm + additional features. Proform 700 - Begins under $500 and includes iFit.com technology. Reebok Elliptical Trainer - Some run at $450 to $600 and are pre-programmed also. Your final decision should include careful consideration and research on your part, enabling you to choose the best elliptical crosstrainer that will allow your workout to be the most beneficial to you and your health.