Choosing a cardio machine: criteria and specifics of selecting sports equipment for the home
- 16.01.2025
The use of special equipment for effective sports training allows you to achieve your goals faster and more correctly. As a tool for getting an attractive physical shape and improving health, most consumers choose a cardio trainer. This is a universal equipment for working out different muscle groups, reducing weight, improving body contours.
Cardio trainers are on sale in several variants of designs. the most popular among them are exercise bikes, treadmills, elliptical trainers. What is the difference between them and how to choose the best equipment for home training?
Criteria for choosing a cardio trainer
Regardless of which of the types of cardio trainers you prefer, the equipment should be functional and reliable. Remember that the exercise machine is purchased not for one day. You should not save money with the loss of important functions or sacrifice the safety of operation, which is not advisable. Choose equipment from brands that have a good reputation and provide detailed information about the products.
Exercise bike: the peculiarities of choosing an exercise machine
Cycling trainer for home is often chosen by cycling enthusiasts and people seeking to pump up the muscles of the legs and buttocks. When choosing an exercise bike, pay attention to the following features of models:
- Type of drive - mechanical, electric, electromagnetic (it is electromagnetic trainers that are most in demand due to their functionality and reliability).
- Type of design - horizontal or vertical (they differ in the way of seating and the position of the athlete's body).
- Smoothness of pedal travel.
- Available set of functions.
- Availability of additional equipment.
- Location of the flywheel.
Horizontal exercise bikes allow you to train with less stress on the joints. This makes them a good choice for people undergoing rehabilitation after injuries or for those athletes for whom heavy loads are contraindicated. Vertical models are often chosen for intense workouts to lose weight or strengthen the muscles of the legs and buttocks. Training on an exercise bike helps to strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, develop endurance.
Treadmill: who is suitable for?
Another popular type of home cardio equipment is a treadmill. Models with the ability to adjust the speed allow you to engage not only in the mode of running, but also walking, which makes them convenient for use by people with a lot of extra weight or those users who are contraindicated large cardio loads.
The optimal choice for training at home will be an electric treadmill with an advanced set of features:
- The ability to select the level of load.
- Changing the angle of inclination of the treadmill.
- Timer.
- Kilometer counter, calorie burned, distance and other parameters.
- Heart rate sensor.
- A convenient screen for tracking training parameters.
The treadmill should be made of high-quality non-slip material, be elastic, resistant to abrasion. Pay attention to the handrails and give preference to ergonomically shaped handles.
Who is suitable for training on a treadmill? It is a good choice for people who have no problems with their knee joints. Regular training will help you get rid of excess weight, strengthen the muscles of the back, legs, buttocks, abs. Running allows you to develop endurance, improve the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, strengthen the muscle corset. Do not forget about the benefits of aerobic exercise for all internal organs and body systems.
Orthotrack: advantages of models
The elliptical combines the advantages of a treadmill and an exercise bike, but it does not put a destructive load on muscles and joints. Thanks to the presence of movable handles training on the ellipsoid allows you to work not only the muscles of the legs, but also the musculature of the upper body.
Orbitracks are available in mechanical, magnetic and electromagnetic versions of designs. The latter are the most common and functional. The drive can be placed in the front, rear or central part of the simulator - the type of placement of the flywheel affects the stability and size of the equipment.
Training on an elliptical allows you to work out the muscles of the legs, buttocks, back and arms, shoulder girdle, abs. Regular exercise on an ellipsoid will help:
- Lose weight, safe for health to get rid of extra pounds.
- Carry out rehabilitation measures after injuries.
- Ensure the safety of loads for the spine and joints.
Choose an elliptical, as well as other cardio trainers, should be based on the criteria of functionality, dimensions, maximum weight of the user, design, principle of operation. Also take into account the cost.