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Total-Body Cardio Equipment Make the Most of Your Workout Time
E
ach new year introduces inno- vative trends in exercise equip- ment, programming and ap- proaches. Many trends come
and go, but one that has proven long- standing is total-body cardiovascular equipment. Even clients and club members with
plenty of time appreciate the efficiency of multi-muscle exercise. Total-body cardio machines let users incorporate balance and coordination, upper body exercise and core stability training along with their cardio. According to Chris Cluett, direc-
tor of operations at Spartan Fitness Equipment, the two classic pieces of equipment in this category are ellipti- cal machines and rowing ergometers. “The elliptical machine continues to
fight with the treadmill for the No. 1 spot as most popular cardio machine,” says Cluett, whose company has stores in Atlantic Canada and the Greater Toronto Area. “People will always love the tread-
mill, but the elliptical machine’s low- impact aspect is its big attraction.” Though ellipticals have upper body
levers to incorporate the arms, Cluett notes that on most machines the arms do significantly less work than the legs and core muscles. In fact, most arm le- vers aren’t built to withstand vigorous pushing and pulling by the arms. “Manufacturers are now designing
models where the user can step off the pedals and use just their arms,” he says. Companies are also develop- ing programming around this option, he adds. Unlike more-established classic car-
dio pieces, the relatively new elliptical has been changing and improving over the past six years, and manufacturers continue to introduce innovations with each new model. While club members love the full
body easy-on-the-joints elliptical work- out, club owners and managers are big fans too, but for different reasons. Unlike treadmills, ellipticals don’t draw a lot of power and they don’t require a
50 Fitness Business Canada January/February 2013
Avanti Cardiogym CG6 Australian company Avanti Fitness introduces its patented CardioGym CG6. It is a combination of a recumbent bike with a multi-functional weight training machine that has the footprint of a treadmill. Total body fitness is achieved in 30 minutes or less. An integrated touch screen dis- play features an avatar demonstrating the exercises, and it keeps track of rep counts, calories burned, distance pedaled, time, etc. Ten basic push/pull exercises are done (the bike rotates 180 degrees) plus boxing and kayaking. Study results show dramatic increases in body fat loss, max VO2, weight loss, and flexibility compared to treadmills and ellipticals. For more information, contact 310-480-2003 or
Blewallen@avantifitness.com, or visit
www.avantifitness.com.
lot of maintenance. Rowing machines truly work ev-
ery major muscle in the body, says Cluett. But despite this, they’re often overlooked by members. He sees them making a steady comeback and places them in fourth, behind bikes, in terms of popularity. Rowing technique takes a little
time to learn, so most members need a staff person to help them learn the movement pattern if they’re new to it. The rowing workout is easily modi- fied for all fitness levels. “Competitive
people love the rowing machine,” says Cluett, noting that there are online competitions where rowers can race against people from around the world. “Beginner users all the way to very se- rious competitive rowers and profes- sional athletes find it an ideal piece of equipment.” Other full-body cardio pieces – like
indoor moving climbing walls, climb- ing machines and bikes with moving arm levers – are also excellent choices for exercisers looking for great value for their exercise time.
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