Getting the right elliptical for your body and budget!


Fitness Equipment Source Blog

Tips For Elliptical Shopping & Fitness So You Can Meet Your Goals



suffering from knee painOuch! If you suffer from bad knees, joint pain in the knee, knee arthritis, runners knee, or have a knee replacement, doing cardio can seem like an impossible task. 

Many of us head to the gym with knee injuries or pains, and are confused looking at the rows of cardio machines… 

We want to get in a good workout, but don’t want to worsen any injury or pain in our knees. 

Why Are Ellipticals Better for Knees Instead of Treadmills?

Both treadmill and elliptical workouts will help you burn calories, get a good sweat in, and enhance your cardiovascular health – but after this point, both become two completely different machines. A major difference between ellipticals and treadmills is how these machines can take care of your body, especially your knees.

If you’re wondering if an elliptical is ok for your bad knees, studies show that elliptical training programs can reduce pain and improve knee function. We strongly recommend choosing ellipticals over treadmills for your workout regimen if you are recovering from a knee injury, or if you have joint pain in your knees.

Here are a few quick general reasons why ellipticals outshine treadmills for those with knee injuries:  Continue reading


is an elliptical or treadmill better for weight loss?Is the elliptical or treadmill better for weight loss and for burning calories? That is the burning question of the hour. (Pun Intended)

Both cardio machines target major muscle groups in the lower body. So if you’re trying to lose weight, both will help you burn extra calories.

Does a Treadmill or Elliptical Burn More Calories?

A study performed by Harvard Medical School found that for the average 155-pound person, 30 minutes on the elliptical burns 335 calories. On the same person, 30 minutes on the treadmill can burn 372 calories. So, if your goal is overall caloric burn rate, the treadmill outshines the elliptical by a smidge. It’s important to keep in mind that the calorie burn of your workout will largely depend on your weight and the intensity output of your exercise. 

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What are the Best Shoes for Elliptical Exercise? 

ProForm Elliptical Adjustable PedalsAlthough there are no specific shoes that are required for working out on an elliptical, there are several high-quality shoes out there that will help in providing good support while you’re exercising. Experts recommend wearing flexible, cushioned, lightweight, running, or cross-training shoes when training on elliptical machines.

Good athletic shoes are important to prevent injury and improve performance. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to find the best shoes for elliptical workouts. The right shoe will give you excellent arch sport, and protect your joints and muscles while using your elliptical machine. In this article, we’ll share a few tips of what to look for in the best shoes for an elliptical, as well as our top 6 picks. Continue reading


Ellipticals vs. Bikes: The Cardio Equipment Showdown

Excess belly fat possesses huge health risks, and it may shorten our lives too. Men are more susceptible to serious health issues if their waistlines are bigger than 40 inches (102 cm). On the other hand, women are regarded as obese if they have a waist measurement of 35 inches (89 cm) or more.

woman holding her belly fatThe higher the circumference of our waist is, the more belly fat is present to make fatal health conditions creep up. Belly fat increases the risks of having high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain liver problems. So, it’s important to work diligently to keep our belly fat down.

If you’ve ever tried to lose belly fat, you know that it’s the most stubborn and difficult to get rid of. It’s something that we really have to work hard at. The most effective way to burn off fat in the abdominal area is cardio. But, you don’t have to kill yourself with crazy exercises in the process.

Experts suggest that it is best to have an elliptical or bike for belly fat reduction goals. These low impact cardio machines can help you shred off the fat, without performing insanely intense exercises. (Like – Burpees. No thanks. Enough said.) Continue reading


The Complete Guide to Lubricating Your Elliptical Machine

Elliptical machines are widely popular for low-impact cardio exercise. The design of ellipticals deliver minimal joint impact, decreasing the chance of injury. So, people with knee or joint injuries can easily exercise on ellipticals without pain or aggravating any injury. 

NordicTrack Elliptical ReviewA good elliptical is a huge investment. Ellipticals require good care to run well for a long period of time. Lubricating your elliptical is a big requirement in making sure that your elliptical is well maintained and will last for years and years. 

Elliptical lubricant helps to reduce the natural wear and tear that happens to ellipticals from frequent use. The process of lubrication plays a major role in boosting the longevity of an elliptical. It also aids in retaining the functionality of the machine, making it smooth and effective. If elliptical lubricant is regularly used to keep an elliptical machine functional, you can avoid costly repair expenses. Since lubrication reduces friction, it helps to lessen noise and vibrations produced by the machine. 

Greasing your elliptical can seem like an overwhelming task. You just spent a lot of money on an elliptical machine, and you don’t want to mess it up. We get it – that’s why we created this guide to make it simple and pain free.

In this article, we are going to discuss elliptical grease (lubricant) and how and when to use it. 

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Hundreds of people stand waist-deep on the shores of Rancho Seco Lake, waiting for the starting signal. Emma stands nervously in the water – anxious to start her first triathlon. She adjusts her swim cap and goggles for the fifteenth time, and finally the countdown begins – ten…nine…eight… reviews her plan, remembering where her bike is, how she’s going to transition – five…four…three… She takes a deep breath – they sound the blowhorn – and Emma starts swimming. The first leg of her very first triathlon has begun.

Emma grew up running – she had played soccer competitively and also had run two half-marathons, so she was familiar with races. She also loved swimming – she was always in the water and swam the 50 free on the high school swim team. But biking – not so much. In fact, not at all. But despite her unfavorable history of bike accidents, Emma was ready for a new challenge. So, she signed up for a triathlon.

Unlike any other race, a triathlon combines three totally different exercises – and pushes your body to its absolute limit. For that reason, it’s one of the most challenging types of races – but also one of the most rewarding finish lines to cross.

You might be thinking – I’m a runner, but I’ve never swam or biked before – how am I supposed to do a triathlon? Where do I even start? Well, here’s everything you need to know for your first triathlon! We’ll cover everything from choosing the right distance for your first race to remembering to sight while you’re swimming. With all this triathlon advice, you’ll be more than ready to cross that finish line on race day – and you might even get hooked on triathlons! Continue reading


Did You Know That These Famous People Have all Ran Marathons?

marathon adviceWhat’s harder – running a marathon or becoming a professional athlete? To some, running 26.2 miles might seem like an impossible feat – almost as hard as making it into the NFL or the MLB. But, with the right training and a good amount of determination, you can achieve your goal of running a marathon.

And although it might seem like some super-human task (I mean, 26 miles is pretty long), the truth is, anyone can do it! You’d be surprised to find that more people than you think have ran marathons.

From professional athletes and Hollywood actors to Grammy-award winning singers and famous comedians – many of your favorite celebrities have worn out their running shoes and crossed the marathon finish line. Here’s just a few familiar faces that have checked “run a marathon” off their bucket lists. Continue reading


Dieting Suggestions from Harvard

best diet planDieting. Just the word can make your head hurt and your stomach crave your favorite unhealthy foods (all of which are probably off-limits for most diets). If you’re like most people, you’ve probably tried dieting in the past. In fact, most Americans have. Every single year, 45 million Americans go on a diet (1).

Some of those diets are more effective than others. There are extreme dieting regimens like the Vegan diet, the Keto diet, and the Paleo diet, or there’s more lenient options like the Mediterranean diet, calorie-restriction based diets, or low-fat diets. It seems like every day there’s a new dieting trend on social media or the internet.

With so many different options to choose from – and differing professional opinions for each diet – choosing one that’s right for you can be a struggle. For a diet to work for you, it needs to be something that gets your body all the nutrients it needs, while helping you feel your best. There’s no one “best” diet for everyone. Every body is different, so not every diet will work for you. That’s why it’s important to really do your research before jumping into a new nutrition plan. Continue reading


Find Out How Your City Ranks in the 2021 American Fitness Ratings

You are the only one in charge of your health and physical fitness. No one is going to drag you out of bed every morning to go to the gym or force you to spend 30 minutes on the elliptical or the treadmill. No one is going to slap the donut out of your hand and replace it with an apple, or monitor what you eat 24/7. Your health is up to you.

Fittest City in AmericaOr is it? Could something outside of your control be affecting your weight, your happiness, and your overall health? Could where you live in the United States affect how likely you are to have diabetes, exercise, or go outside and walk?

The answer is…yes! It turns out, where you live and the overall health of your community can affect your health and fitness habits. That’s why researchers put together the 2021 American Fitness Index – a huge research project that ranked the 100 largest cities in the country according to their health and lifestyle habits, researching everything from “health behaviors and chronic diseases to city infrastructure.” (1)

So where does your city rank in the 2021 American Fitness Ratings? Is your city among the top 25 healthiest cities in America? What about the top five? Well, check out the top 5 healthiest cities in the United States below to find out… Continue reading


This Relaxing Practice Might Be More Beneficial Than You Think

Tai Chi for Weight LossTai chi is an art – a mind-body practice that involves mindfulness, slow movements and controlled breathing. It’s a practice that has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it was an ancient Chinese tradition that was originally made for self-defense. (1) And today, it’s practiced by almost 250 million people around the world. (2)

It’s often described as “meditation in motion” because it focuses on total harmony of both your mind and your body. (3) Tai chi can be a very peaceful exercise, not just to practice, but also to watch. The gentle, flowing movements are artistic and beautiful, creating a harmony that can be seen and felt.

This ancient exercise is not only great for summoning inner peace, but also has many health benefits. According to the Tai Chi for Health Institute, “numerous studies have shown tai chi improves muscular strength, flexibility, fitness, improves immunity, relieves pain and improves quality of life.” (3) Recently, researchers have also been studying whether tai chi can help you sleep better and reduce the risk of falls in older adults. Continue reading