The Lure Guide Center

Anyone who has ever been in a gym before is familiar with the
gleaming banks of shiny exercise machines. Coming in all shapes
and sizes, they are usually cause for the newcomer to the gym to
pause and ask, “What IS all of that stuff?”

Well, according to the price that the gym paid for any one piece
of that equipment, I certainly hope that it not only stimulates
your muscles, but also cooks your breakfast, washes your car,
and brings the kids home from soccer practice! Now the question
becomes whether or not those machines were worth the price, or
if you’d be better off doing a home aerobics video with a can of
soup in each hand….

Personally, I would advise you to get the low-sodium version of
the soup, serve it up alongside a tomato sandwich, and then go
buy yourself some free weights. Yes, that is just my opinion,
but it does come with some scientific reasoning behind it.

Natural movement vs. Controlled movement

One of the things that you need to remember is that when you are
exercising, you are training for LIFE. You may spend an hour a
day at the gym, but that still leaves 23 other hours for your
muscles to function without the aid of that fancy equipment.

Whenever you do any given exercise, the movement of your body
during that exercise is called the Range of Motion. The greater
and more difficult the Range of Motion, the more effective the
exercise is, because your body has to work harder to perform
that movement.

Let’s take a classic dumbbell bicep curl for our case study. If
you aren’t familiar with the movement, it is basically performed
by standing up straight with your palms facing forward, and a
pair of dumbbells held down at your sides. You concentrically
contract your biceps (also known as flexing your elbow) to bring
the dumbbells up to approximately shoulder level, and then
repeat the movement for a prescribed number of repetitions.

Let’s take that same muscle movement and do it using a bicep
curl machine. You sit down, brace your upper arms on a pad,
grasp 2 handles that are in front of you, and do that same fancy
elbow flexing movement to move the handles in an upward motion.
Pretty easy stuff so far, right?

Now let’s examine the muscles that are used in this motion. Wait
- I thought we were concentrically contracting the biceps? That
is correct, and if you are using the bicep curl machine, that is
pretty much ALL you are doing. For one, you are sitting down.
You know, like you did all day at work, and then in your car on
the way to the gym. Then, your upper arms are braced on a nice
soft pad to keep your upper body stable while you pull the
handles upwards. The machine has effectively limited the muscles
used in this exercise to the biceps, as well as the muscles in
your forearms and fingers as you grip the handles.

Let us now sidestep over to the weight room where the dumbbells
are kept, and once again get in the start position for a
standing bicep curl with the dumbbells. Notice the term
“standing”. You know, like you DIDN’T do all day at work, and
hopefully also did not do in your car on the way to the gym. So
before we even start the exercise, we are using more muscles
than we did on the machine - namely the leg muscles.

Now let’s pick up a 10 lb dumbbell in each hand. We’ve just
added 20 lbs to our body weight. What is keeping us from losing
our center of balance and falling clean over? The abdominal
muscles and the muscles of the lower back and spine. Now we are
using our legs, our abs, and our back. Flex those elbows and
start to raise the dumbbells. Now our center of gravity has
become a fluid state, and our legs, back, and abs all have to
constantly compensate to maintain posture. Oh, and the biceps
are also in on the action by this point, as are the forearms,
the fingers, and the shoulder girdle.

We now have the dumbbells all the way up and it’s time to start
lowering them again, via an eccentric contraction of the biceps
(also know as extending the elbow). What muscle group controls
the extension of the elbow? The triceps on the back of the arm.

Did you lose track yet? It’s okay if you did because you have
illustrated the point:

Machine Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms, and fingers Cost:
Thousands of dollars

Standing Dumbbell Bicep Curl: Uses the biceps, forearms,
fingers, legs, abs, back, triceps, and shoulders. Cost: $40 for
a good set of dumbbells that can be used for dozens of other
exercises

In a nutshell, free weight exercises simply USE MORE MUSCLES
than machines do, which make them more effective. Does that mean
that the machines are a complete waste? Absolutely not! In some
circumstances it is BETTER to stabilize the muscles being used
in any given movement. However, those circumstances are the
exception, rather than the rule.

So what do you do? Change up your routine, and incorporate free
weights as well as machine exercises. However, keep the machine
work to a minimum - say 20% of your total time spent working
with weights. Spend the other 80% developing your stabilizer
muscles, your sense of balance and coordination, and if nothing
else - just standing up!

After all, you can go home and sit down on the couch to enjoy
your post-workout snack. The bicep machine already brought the
kids home from soccer practice, remember?

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Confronting the possibility of a potentially devastating human
bird flu pandemic, the United Nations system - from
Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) to the UN health and agricultural agencies - today laid
out a blueprint for immediate preventive and mitigating action.

“We may not know about the future course of H5N1, we do know
this: once human-to-human transmission has been established, we
would have only a matter of weeks to lock down the spread before
it spins out of control. That is why the international community
must take action now.” Mr. Annan told the Time Global Health
Summit, a three-day event in New York held to discuss key health
issues.

In light of these concerns, and likely rationing of available
flu vaccines, it is advisable that people also look at other
areas which complement good health. In the United States, the
average American diet is high in sodium, fat, sugar, and
preservatives and low in nutrition. These are typically not the
ingredients associated with the support of a healthy immune
system. It is the beneficial components of food which feed the
cells of the body and support the normal function which allows
each cell the potential to restore, protect and defend itself
from the effects of injury and disease. A poorly nourished body
is less able to carry out these activities as the basic building
blocks for cell function are in limited supply.

People should therefore seek to improve their dietary intake of
beneficial sources of nutrition and limit their intake of the
more commonly eaten foods which are known to be more harmful to
the body than their unprocessed counterparts. Will the support
of a healthy immune system ensure a perfect defense against
invading flu virus particles? Certainly not. However, a healthy
immune system may mean the difference between someone who
contracts the flu and recovers quickly and someone who suffers
greatly.

The most important factor in the improvement of any person’s
diet is to improve the quality and variety of food eaten. While
dietary supplements may provide some excellent health benefits
they are intended to supplement, not substitute, the benefits of
a good diet.

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A treadmill can be an excellent exercise machine, providing a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to stay fit. But with over a dozen different manufacturers out there, each with a collection of different styles of equipment, it can be difficult to know which treadmill is best for you.

How much you can spend and what type of exercise you plan to do will help determine which price range and manufacturers are right for you. It is important to research the specific features you need based on whether you plan to walk, jog or do all out running training. But a good place to start is often to get an overview of the manufacturers out there and the cost of a treadmill. Below is an overview of ten of the most popular treadmill models and their general ratings in the industry.

A company called Icon Health and Fitness is perhaps the largest and most well known treadmill manufacturer in the world. They also make other types of exercise equipment. In the treadmill realm, they produce Reebok, NordicTrack, Weslo, Proform and Image brands. All five of these rank among the most popular and offer consumers a range or prices and options.

Weslo

Of all the Icon brands, Weslo treadmills are the least expensive, and in fact are typically the lowest priced of any treadmill regardless of manufacturer. They are entry-level machines intended for use by beginners and walkers that do not engage in a more demanding workout. They lack the power of more expensive brands and are built with smaller running areas. And warranties are typically no longer than 90 days.

In the Weslo line, the Weslo 400 CS treadmill sells for under $400. It is consistently picked as one of the top budget treadmill models.

For those interested in a bit more advanced treadmill, the Weslo EX18 sells for $500 but can be hard to find. It is worth the search though as it is perhaps the best Weslo model and will provide a good machine for the beginner or walker on a budget.

Image

Image is another brand of treadmill produced by Icon Fitness. This line is slightly more expensive than Weslo, but is still considered a budget machine, typically selling for under $1000. Many experts feel that Image treadmills offer the best value for the average person. The only drawback is the warranty, which is only 90 days on many Image models.

The Image 1200 treadmill has a 2.0 hp continuous duty motor that provides a maximum speed of 10 mph. The platform can adjust to inclines from 0-10%. It is a great choice for those runners on a bit of a budget and for those who want to spend $1000 or less. The Image 10.6QL was ranked among the top five treadmills by U.S. Consumer Reports. It has six programmable workouts and also allows you to determine your speed and incline based on a heart rate monitor. It is IFIT compatible, which means you can connect to the Internet to access online workouts. It costs around $1400 and is folding for convenient storage.

Proform

Proform treadmills by Icon provide shoppers with perhaps the most comprehensive options in exercise equipment. Budget models start at $400 and the overwhelming selection continues up the spectrum to several mid priced models that fall in the $1000 to $2000 range. The Proform 795SL treadmill sells for under $1000 and is often a top pick among consumers and fitness experts. The LX 660 sells for under $600 and has plenty of features for a budget treadmill. Like many of the budget treadmills, Proforms often have a less than stellar warranty, typically 90 days.

NordicTrack

There are literally dozens of different NordicTrack treadmill models produced by Icon. They range in price from around $800 for a NordicTrack C1800 to $2000 for a 7500R model. Many fitness experts feel that consumers spend a bit more for the name brand when they purchase a Nordictrack treadmill. The machines often look very nice but may not always offer the best buy as some people have experienced problems with reliability. All models typically come with a heart rate monitor, but some of the less expensive models offer a 1.5 hp motor and a smaller platform, often around 50″.

On the plus side, NordicTrack treadmills often offer good cushioning for those who don’t want to replicate the uneven, jolting conditions of a true road workout. Their 3-2-1 warranty covers the motor for three years, the frame and other parts for two years and all labor charges for one year.

The NordicTrack Teton, which sells for just under $1500 and is a great choice for incline training and hiking. The Apex 5100i, which sells for around $1700 is also a popular choice.

Reebok

Reebok treadmills also depend on name recognition to help attract buyers. Models often look nice and have plenty of features but have been known to be less durable than other brands. It is important to note that Reebok home treadmills are not made by the same company as the commercial models found in fitness clubs.

A plus side of the Reebok treadmills is the warranty. On most models the frame is covered for a lifetime, the belt and deck and all electrical and mechanical components for 2 years, and labor for 12 months. The motor typically has a 2-3 year guarantee. One of the most popular Reebok models is the ACD4, which sells for around $1700.

Smooth

Another treadmill manufacturer that is making a name for itself recently is Smooth. This company’s biggest marketing appeal is that they sell their treadmills direct to the consumer over the Internet on their company website. They claim this allows them to reduce prices, and in fact, many models run less than comparative treadmills offered by other manufacturers.

All Smooth treadmills have a 10-year warranty on the motor and 12-month labor warranty. Other parts such as the belt, deck and electronic components it typically covered from 2 to 5 years. This protection makes Smooth treadmills an appealing buy to those who have had problems with previous equipment or simply don’t like to be stuck fixing things.

Smooth treadmills often rank at the top of their respective price band listings. Many experts choose them for their excellent features and reasonable price. The Smooth 5.0P has a 2.5 hp motor and 9 preset programs. It has been called the best treadmill on the market for overall value. At just under $2000, the Smooth 7.1HR is a popular model for those who require a bit more advanced model. Both units fold for storage.

Trimline

Trimline is another popular brand of home treadmills. They are often compared to Smooth equipment and have a longer warranty but a higher price tag. In some instances, experts feel the expense is justified, while in other models it is not. Trimline offers six folding models and three non-folding. The Trimline 1610, which sells for around $1000 has been recommended as a good starter machine. And the Trimline 7200 remains a top seller despite the price increase that puts it over $2000.

Keys

Keys Fitness is a relative newcomer to the treadmill industry, getting its start in 1997. They have shown improvements in quality and features each year and are known to offer a competitive product in the low to mid priced treadmills. They offer a 10-year warranty on their motors, 2 years parts and electronics, and 1 year on service. They are often said to be comparable to Smooth in price and features. The Keys 1200 is a nice standard treadmill that sells for just over $1000. The 8800 HR model is more heavy duty with a bigger motor and platform and a higher price of over $2000.

Spirit

Spirit is a treadmill company that has been around for over 20 years. They are usually known for leading the industry in new features. If something different or innovative comes out, chances are Spirit was the one to introduce it. Although their SL 188 is priced below $1000, and is a good buy at that price, the majority of their models are in the mid price range of $1500 up to $3000 plus. Spirit treadmills often have good warranties and solid quality.

Landice

Landice is often considered the top of the line in treadmills. The usually cost over $3000 and at this price, you get some great features, heavy duty motors, and a lifetime warranty on parts. If you have the money and are serious about your training, any of the Landice models, either in the L7 or L8 series, provide quality options.

Cybex

Cybex is another manufacturer that produces high end treadmills. Formerly known as Trotter, the treadmills produced by this company have high quality and prices to match. Again, it is more a matter of which one fits your needs because at this price you’d better be getting a good machine. The Cybex 300T, which sells for $3000 and the Trotter Elite, which costs nearly $4500 are two options.

As these comparisons show, budget will be a starting point in selecting a home treadmill, as will the way in which you plan to use the machine. While for the most part you get what you pay for, fitness experts caution that name brand treadmills aren’t necessarily better than less well-known equipment. Check the warranty, check the features, and most importantly, check with people who have owned the treadmills or do repairs on fitness equipment. With so much information available, making an informed decision is easy. It’s actually sticking to your exercise routine that will be the tough part.

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Treadmill-Ratings-n-Reviews.net, providing treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews on the most popular models.

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