Cardio machines have been around for dozens of
years now and while small improvements occur often, it is rare to introduce an
innovative, brand new type of machine on the market. New or old, here are
the top 5 cardio machines you likely have not used before.
5. Water Rowing Machines
The Closest you will get to Actual Rowing without Getting
Wet
While not the most popular cardio machines, there is no doubt that rowing
machines are one of best. Rowing is a almost a full body exercise in which
you are using a significant portion of the muscles in your legs back and arms.
What makes water rowing machines one of the top 5 cardio machines is they
come so close to simulating rowing in the water as the fluid motion and natural
feeling resistance can have a positive psychological effect on its users in
addition to being a terrific way to burn calories.
Exercise Tips: How to get the most out of using Water Rowing Machines
Master the form first. Without using proper form, you will never be
able to challenge yourself fully on any rowing machine. Once you are able
to consistently use proper form then you must challenge yourself by using the
built in programs on the rower which are based on pace more than anything.
Why you've Probably Never Used this Cardio Machine
Sadly, since it's not possible to drink energy drinks, read magazines or talk
on your cell phone while on a rowing machine, they have never been the most
popular machine in the gym. The available cardio machines in the gym often
reflect this as having a rowing machine usually means an old, beat-up
concept 2 rower which means you likely haven't used one of these wonderful
water rowers.
4. Incline Trainers (High Incline Treadmills)
Because Walking is Easier than Running, or is it ?
Traditional treadmills allow the user to set the incline from a 0-15% grade
which is more than enough for runners but what about those people who for
whatever reason don't like to jog or run?
Incline trainers are treadmills with maximum inclines of 30-40% which allow
users to burn the same amount of calories walking that they would have to jog or
run on a standard treadmill.
What makes incline trainers one of the top 5 cardio machines is not the
maximum incline but the variety of training you can perform on them. You
are able to perform standard high incline walking (hiking), running, walking and
various stepping motions to target your full lower body.
Exercise Tips: How to get the most out of using High Incline Treadmills
First and foremost, don't over rely on the handles for support. The
handles are there to help you keep balance and not support your body weight
essentially pulling a significant percentage of your body weight up the hill.
If you find yourself leaning on the handles simply lower the incline until you
build up your cardiovascular endurance.
Also, make sure you have proper fitting footwear when using an incline
trainer as the high inclines can be hard on the feet, ankles and muscles
attaching to them.
Why you've Probably Never Used this Cardio Machine
The first producers of incline trainers Nordic Track and Free Motion are not
the usual suppliers of cardio equipment to most gyms. For whatever reason,
the primary suppliers to most gyms Precor, Lifefitness and Cybex haven't jumped
on the incline trainer bandwagon as of yet which is likely why you haven't used
an incline trainer.
One thing in common with almost all as well as 4 of the 5 top cardio machines
is the plane of motion. The plane of motion for everything from bicycles,
to rowing machines, to ellipticals is straight forward in the saggital plane.
The problem with that is in real life, during daily activities and sports we
don't move in a straight line for long periods of time. This is where the
Techno Gym Cardio Wave comes in as the motion of movement is in the frontal
(lateral movement) and saggital (front to back) planes.
The cardio wave has an amazing 25 levels of difficulty. With the
extremely smooth motion of the Cardio Wave, levels 1-5 are enough for the
average fitness enthusiast. Spend a couple minutes on the Cardio Wave and
the foot plates seemingly disappear leaving only you with your heart & lungs
getting a great pulse-pounding and non-impact workout.
Exercise Tips: How to get the most out of using the Technogym Cardio
Wave
The motion of the cardio wave is designed to work your leg muscles in
multiple planes of motion as well as your core. Rather than just getting
on the machine and stepping away, to maximize your time on the Cardio Wave,
learn the various hand and foot placements you can do to change the emphasis of
which leg muscles you target before you start using it regularly as you will no
doubt want to do.
Why you've Probably Never Used this Cardio Machine
Technogym is a company in Italy which makes 'high-end' products therefore
their equipment costs significantly more than other major brands. Does
being the Ferrari of exercise equipment make Technogym products better than
other brands such as Precor, Lifefitness? Probably not, and the brand choices of
most gym's exercise equipment reflects this which is probably why you've never
used this great piece of exercise equipment because it's simply just too
expensive for most gyms.
"Follows what you do Rather than Telling you to Follow it"
When elliptical trainers hit the market in the 1990s they quickly populated
gyms and became the most popular cardio machines.
The combination of being a non-impact as well as upper and lower body exercise
was an instant favorite to many that has lasted around 20 years but the time of
the elliptical is coming to an end.
The beginning of the end to elliptical machines is the Precor Adaptive Motion
Trainer (AMT). The AMT is everything an elliptical is and more as it
allows the user to determine the motion.
Users can use the elliptical motion, use even longer strikes or even a stair
stepping motion. Best of all is the motion can be switched on the fly.
For most people this makes workouts more fun and less monotonous and we all
know that people are more likely to stick with something they enjoy than
something they dislike doing.
Exercise Tips: How to get the most out of using the Precor Adaptive
Motion Trainer
The Adaptive Motion Trainer was designed to be the most user friendly cardio
machine of all time. Take advantage of this and use multiple forms of
movement during each workout. By using different combinations of movement
patterns along with the handlebars as well as interval programs, you keep your
workouts 'fresh' and avoid plateau and boredom perhaps better than any cardio
machine of all time!
Why you've Probably Never Used this Cardio Machine
Most gyms already have a couple dozen elliptical machines they are likely
still paying for which means they will wait to get the new Adaptive Motion
Trainer as it is even more expensive. While almost everyone who uses the
Precor AMT likes it better than the elliptical, stair climberor arc trainer it
is simply not enough reason for gyms to replace all the aforementioned cardio
machines with Adaptive Motion Trainers but time will soon come. If you
don't want to wait you can always order one for your own use at home but it will
not come cheap.
1. Versa Climber
"It's all the Fitness you Need"
While the Versa Climber may not have all the bells & whistles of the previous
cardio machines when it comes down to it what you want in a cardio machine is
results and that what the Versa Climber brings best.
Rather than simulating an activity going forward and backward or side to
side, the Versa Climber simulates climbing straight up. This vertical
exercise puts high demand on almost every muscle in the body.
Performing 'cardio' on the Versa Climber also means you are working your
quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, shoulders, triceps, biceps, and forearms as
well.
Since using the Versa Climber recruits such a large amount of muscles, it
causes your heart rate to elevate faster than any other cardio machine which is
why it is the favorite amongst many elite athletes and personal trainers
Another reason why the Versa Climber is #1 of the top 5 best cardio machines is
its simplicity.
As well as being very easy and quick to adjust, the actual machine will last
for a very long time with minimal care and maintenance. It takes up the
least floor space out of any cardio machine as well.
Exercise Tips: How to get the most out of using the Versa Climber
While the Versa Climber may seem pretty straight forward and simple to use
(which it is) there are many ways you can modify the exercise to emphasize or
deemphasize certain muscles, joints and body parts if desired. Learn how
to position yourself, control range of motion, and set up the Versa Climber to
be consistent with your goals before you spend time using it.
Why you've Probably Never Used this Cardio Machine
In addition to being hard on almost every level, the Versa Climber is not on
anyone's list as the most glamorous cardio machine. It is plain looking
and there is no way to look at a TV as your face is within a few inches from the
console which is probably the reason few gyms have more than a couple if any of
these tremendous cardio machines and if they do, it's usually one of the last
pieces of gym equipment people will try out.
Top 5
Cardio Machines
