University of Michigan 412 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1399 September 1, 1998 (3)
Contact: Amy Reyes Phone: (734) 997-9798, [email protected]
Crosstrainers are the new rage in exercise, says U-M expert in Consumers Digest analysis of new home exercise products.
ANN ARBOR---In the 1970s, it was ski simulators, and in the 1980s, it was rowing machines, but today, consumers after the best and the brightest in home exercise equipment are buying elliptical machines, also known as crosstrainers.
They were designed in 1995 by a former General Motors engineer as a cross between a cross-country skier and a treadmill. The original, the Precor EFX 5.21s Elliptical Fitness Cross Trainer, is highly respected by the experts, but its inferior imitators may end up taking you for a ride, according to a University of Michigan kinesiologist and home exercise equipment expert who examines the good and the bad of new exercise equipment in the September/October issue of Consumers Digest.
"The technology has not caught up to the main marketplace. The original machine is fine, but it costs $3,000. If you can afford it, great, but you probably won't be satisfied if you buy the copies,'' said Charles Kuntzleman, an adjunct associate professor in the U-M Division of Kinesiology who outlined the best buys in fitness equipment for Consumers Digest.
Kuntzleman and a panel of 25 experienced and inexperienced exercisers evaluated 101 pieces of equipment from eight categories. The best buys are selected on a scale of 1 to 10. The recommended best buys from those categories include:
1. Elliptical machines: "Consumer be very cautious. I'd stick to the best buys, but don't expect durability with the moderately priced selections,'' Kuntzleman said. Best buys: Precor EFX 5.21s Elliptical Fitness Cross Trainer, Vision Fitness X6200 Elliptical Trainer and NordicTrack Ellipse 930e.
2. Treadmills: Use by consumers has skyrocketed by 772 percent in the last 10 years to 36.1 million users. Best buys: Life Fitness 5500 HR, True 450, PaceMaster Pro-Plus and EverYoung 86800.
3. Stationary cycles: "Pay attention to the seat when you test them out. If you don't like it, find one that's comfortable and have the dealer put it on,'' Kuntzleman said. Best buys: Vision Fitness 3200, Monark 817e, Vision Fitness E4100 and Schwinn 105p.
4. Free weights: "Free weights have changed. Some companies have added handles for easy pickup and carrying and 12 sides to keep them from rolling. It's increased the price, but it's made them less problematic,'' Kuntzleman said. Best buys: Iron Grip, Ivanko Rubimo and Weider Cast Iron.
5. Home gyms: "Be cautious here; many weight stack machines are designed for people between 5 feet 8 inches tall and 6 feet 2 inches tall,'' Kuntzleman said. Best buys: Vectra 1800, Pacific Fitness Del Mar, Tuff Stuff's Muscle IV and Body-Solid EXM-2500.
6. Ski simulators: "Skiers provide excellent whole body workouts and are relatively inexpensive, but they can be difficult to learn,'' Kuntzleman said. Because they've saturated the market, prices remain stable or have decreased. Best buys: NordicTrack ProPlus, NordicTrack ClassicPro and NordicTrack Sequoia.
7. Stair steppers and climbers: Exercisers have been trading in their stair steppers and climbers for the highly touted elliptical crosstrainers, but stair steppers and climbers are generally durable and offer good work-outs, Kuntzleman said. Best buy steppers: Tectrix Personal Climber, Diamondback 1000ES, and the Tunturi TriStepper 500. Best buy climbers: Versa Climber 108H and EverYoung 73500 Vertical Ascent Climber.
8. Rowing Machines: "The WaterRower and the Concept II Model C (recommended best buys) are outstanding pieces of exercise equipment. They work the legs, lower back, upper back and arms. It's unique and not everyone will like them, but they are worth looking into,'' Kuntzleman said.
Food for thought before you buy: 1. What kind of workout program are you looking for? If you're after muscular strength, consider free weights. If you're after an overall workout, consider a rowing machine or an elliptical machine. 2. Do you have enough floor space or ceiling height for the equipment you select? 3. How much wear will the product you're considering get at home? Most home exercise equipment are designed for less than two hours of use per day.
Kuntzleman is author of more than 70 books and 150 articles on fitness and health. He is chairman of the Michigan Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and is director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Fitness for Youth program.
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