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The Best Cardio
Equipment For You!
The range of gym fitness equipment available these days
is staggering, and it can be hard to know which type of
home exercise equipment you really need. What’s best for
weight loss? Toning? What’s the best for cardiovascular
health? Let’s focus on cardio exercises here, because
it’s one thing everyone should be concerned about. Maybe
your doctor has told you that you need to get your heart
in better shape. Maybe you’ve been motivated by someone
else who unexpectedly developed problems and you don’t
want to be next. Even if it’s just a desire to “get
healthier,” cardio exercise equipment is a good way to
start on the road to a healthier lifestyle.
What Exactly Makes It “Cardio” Equipment?
A cardio workout’s primary purpose is to raise your
heart rate to some extent in order to improve heart
health and function. There may be other benefits to some
kinds of gym and home fitness equipment (exercise bikes,
for instance, can also strengthen and tone leg muscles),
but cardio equipment’s primary goal is to raise the
heart rate and break a sweat.
An additional side benefit of these types of home
workouts is that you will also shed some weight as you
burn off fat. It’s a win-win situation for most people
investing in gym fitness and exercise equipment.
There are several kinds of home exercise and gym
equipment that you can use for your workouts that will
give you real cardiovascular benefits. Each of these has
pros and cons attached with them, and you will need to
decide for yourself which exercise best suits your
fitness regimen.
Exercise Treadmills - Treadmills are
traditionally the most popular type of cardio fitness
equipment, but are fast being passed up by the
elliptical trainer. Treadmills offer a great alternative
to walking outside in bad weather. If you enjoy both
walking and running, you can vary your speed and most
come with heart rate monitors, which are always a good
idea. Keep in mind, though, that this type of home gym
equipment can jar your joints, so it may not be your
best option if you have arthritis.
Exercise Bikes - Stationary exercise bikes allow
you to sit down while biking, giving you the same chance
to vary speeds. This type of home gym and fitness
equipment is ideal if you suffer from back pain. Some
stationary bikes also have handlebars that move as you
peddle to exercise your upper body at the same time.
Recumbent bikes allow you to sit back in the seat as you
peddle.
Elliptical Trainers - Elliptical machines are one
of the most popular pieces of home gym and fitness
equipment for cardio workouts now available. You stand
and work the feet back and forth, but because you don’t
lift your feet and “glide” instead, there is no jarring
of the joints. With each stroke, you are also working
your upper body with the poles. Fewer of these have
heart monitors, but some do. Alternatively, stop
exercising periodically and check your pulse rate.
With so much to choose from, take the time to consider
which type of gym fitness equipment you are most likely
to use long-term. Cardio home exercise equipment is only
as good as how often you use it. If you end up with
something that you don’t like, you won’t see long-term
benefits, which is the name of the game for true heart
health.
So what does Rich Stevens recommend? I'm glad you asked!
The best in home cardio equipment: Star Trac, Fitnex,
Body Solid, Fitnex, Star Trac Pro, First Degree. Monark,
Bodycraft, Body-Solid ,Bowflex TreadClimber,
Tunturi, Proform,
NordicTrack and HealthRider are some of the best!
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