If you are looking for an elliptical machine with all the "extras," you might be interested in the LifeCore LC1000 Elliptical. If you are looking for just a basic machine that will help you obtain a full body workout at a much lower price, however, you might be better off with the LC985Z or the LC980. Therefore, it is important to have a good understanding of your needs as well as the differences in features of various ellipticals in order to make the best decision for you.

One of the special features of the LifeCore LC1000 Elliptical is the fact that users weighing up to 400 pounds can use the machine. The LC990, on the other hand, can accommodate users of up to 350 pounds while the other models can be used by people weighing up to 300 pounds.

The extra durable design also allows this model to provide very smooth movement, which is marketed as providing a "smooth as glass feel." Since it offers a very durable design that is suited to larger users, it also has a longer warranty than other ellipticals offered through LifeCore. Whereas most offer a five year warrant on parts and a one year warranty on labor, the LifeCore Fitness LC1000 Elliptical offers a seven year warranty on parts.

The LifeCore Fitness LC1000 Elliptical also offers more Preset Programs than other ellipticals, with a total of 14, as well as 16 levels of Magnetic Resistance. In addition, the LCD monitor with bright red LED display makes it easy to read vital information such as heart rate and more. Multiple users can utilizes this model as well. In fact, it offers two different heart rate monitors as well as a fully adjustable stride and pedals.

Since the LifeCore Fitness LC1000 Elliptical is made with a very durable design, it is heavier than some other models offered by LifeCore. Fortunately, it does feature oversized transport wheels, which makes it easier to move the 137 pound unit from one place to another.

The key to getting in shape it to workout everyday over a long period of time. Starting a new workout routine for a week and then stopping will not get you any results. Yet it seems like so many people commit to exercising but never follow through long enough to see results. Physical fitness does not happen overnight. It requires hard work and serious discipline. For even the most dedicated people developing good fitness habits is difficult. Luckily, home fitness videos provide a great way for beginners to develop good fitness habits.

Especially for those not used to exercising regularly it is hard to know where to start. There are so many options and programs out there to choose from. Should you do mostly cardio? If so, should you run? How often? If you want to get stronger should you lift weights? What moves should you do? When should you workout? It can be very daunting to create program for yourself with so many options. Even if you design your own program it is hard to know if it will get the results you are looking for. Also, how do you check to see if your making progress and that the workouts you have selected will continue to challenge you. For experienced gym goers designing a personal program may work well. But, often times beginners who design their own programs have a hard time sticking to them. They may go to the gym for a week or two but with one setback they will stop.

Other problems to staying committed is time and location. For some people driving to the gym can be bothersome enough to skip from time to time. Time is an important factor and the added time it takes to drive to the gym can stop some people from going when they should.

Expensive workout equipment can also pose a problem. Some people never get going because they don't want to spend the money on expensive home equipment. The truth is you don't need expensive machines to get in shape. The most important thing is dedication and discipline, and a machine won't give that to you. Perhaps the best way to get motivated is to hire a personal trainer. They will be by your side pushing you. And if you are paying a lot for a trainer you will be sure not to miss your appointment. The problem is that personal trainers are very expensive and some people like to have more privacy or flexibility in when then workout.

All you need to do is put in one of the DVD and just press play. There requires no more thinking or planning. Keeping things as simple as possible in the beginning is important. Once you learn what is like to do serious and diverse workouts for a sustained period of time, and you begin to feel real results continuing with you fitness habits will be easier.

The great thing is that Home Fitness Systems like the P90X workout can simulate having your very own personal trainer in your living room everyday. Not only that but a program like the P90X takes out all the guess work. While working out you are assured that literally millions of other people have done the same workouts and achieved great results. The people who made the P90X have done all the research you need to make sure you are getting the best program to reach your fitness goals.

Bodylastics is the new industry standard home gym system made for people with a desire to build muscles but not enough space in their homes for a space consuming exercise machine. With its quick clip system it is very easy to increase the resistance for your workout.

The Bodylastics system uses resistance to build muscles which is similar to the weight lifting systems in the gym. It uses the best form of resistance - elastic resistance

This resistance can be increased or decreased by just adding and removing tubes. To exercise different muscles you just need to move the door anchor and use your own creativity to recreate exercises of the health club.

To exercise your upper body, all you need to do is to place the door anchor above a closeable door. Then place the chair facing front or backwards, gripping the handles pulling front and down. To exercise the legs, you need to place the door anchorbelow a closeable door, then attach the elastic band to your ankle straps and then to your ankles.

If you feel pain in your muscles, Once you start the workouts then it means your muscles are working. Don't overdo them. If you don't feel pain with the current resistance you are using then you should increase your resistance level. Don't overdo your exercises. Follow your workout plan otherwise you may injure yourself.

With it you can work abs as well. I managed to get a six pack with bodylastics. The exercises for abs are at the bodylastics website.

Have you seen those late night adverts on cable TV for the latest abdominal exercise equipment? How effective do you think they are? How do you choose which one is best for you? This article will help with all these issues.

It's a fact the nation is getting heavier, and many people are putting on those pounds on around the stomach. This is partly due to the sedentary lifestyle that so many people live, with there desk jobs, which result in the abdominal muscles getting little or no exercise. Combine this with convenience and fast food and the net result is a growth market for abdominal exercise equipment.

A key fact that you'll find barely mentioned in the infomercials for ab machines is simply that these gadgets will not help you loose the layer of fat surrounding your abdominal muscles. You can have a finely sculptured set of 6 pack washboard abs, achieved through sweat and tears on your abdominal exercise equipment, but if they're covered in an inch of fat, you won't turn heads when you take your shirt off. In order to get rid of this layer of fat you need to change your diet and simply take in fewer calories in food than you burn off on a daily basis.

What are your options on abdominal exercise equipment?

One of the cheapest and best exercise options for great abs is surprisingly the simple chin-up bar. You can buy one cheaply at your local fitness store and install it between your door frame at home. Chin-ups are thought to be one of the most effective exercises you can do for an all round upper body workout. To target your abs simply hang down from your bar and bring you knees up to your chest 6-10 times. As you get stronger keep you legs locked at the knees and bring them up from the vertical hang to 90 degrees to your upper body and parallel with the ground, repeat this 6-10 times. Following this routine will give you a truly rounded abdominal workout for very low cost.

Another cheap option is to do crunches on a fitball. Sit on the ball with feet flat on the ground, and roll back until you back is lying on the ball. From this position move your upper body up to do a full crunch. As you get more advanced crunch alternatively to your left and right to get a full range of motion. A fitball really is a very versatile and cheap piece of abdominal exercise equipment.

What about the hi-tech abdominal gadgets?

Firstly stay away from the electrical stimulating equipment such as the slendertone. They have very little effect on your abs and I would not recommend them as the abs equipment of choice. You're better of considering one of the mechanical machines such as the Ab cruncher, Ab slider or wheel. They are very good at isolating the full range of abdominal muscles and produce good results with regular use.

Don't get too obsessed with what specific abdominal exercise equipment is most effective. Each piece has its pro's and con's. You need to decide what your goals are, how hard you're willing to work and then opt for a piece of equipment that you're going to use regularly and not get bored with.