Types of Elliptical Machines
Cross trainers have quickly become one of the most
popular new exercise machines available. Able to perform aerobic activity
without impact on your legs, elliptical trainers have massively grown in
popularity, as they are able to take the pressure off your legs and feet
while still raising your heart rate and giving you the weight loss and
exercise that you desire.
Elliptical trainers have also evolved over recent
years. There are now several different types of cross trainers designed to
give you different levels of exercise to help support your routine. The
three main types of elliptical trainers are as follows:
·
Rear Drive
·
Center Drive
·
Front Drive
How each of these machines benefits the user is
fairly minimal, but each has their own different popularity in the market
today.
Rear Drive
Rear drive is one of the earliest models of cross
trainers. Dozens of elliptical models still use this system. It is
considered one of the best for simulating the experience of running, and
provides a decent amount of pressure for your muscles. The running feeling
is because the angle of these models tends to be more level. They do,
however, take up a pretty decent amount of space in your living room, so
they are not necessarily the best for households with minimal amounts of
space.
Center Drive
Center drive ellipticals are some of the more well
balanced models, and are easily the most space efficient. They are also the
newest types of cross trainer on the market. Technically they use two
flywheels instead of the standard single flywheel used on the other models.
As far as how they perform, some people find these models more comfortable –
others do not. It is more a matter of personal preference. They are a little
easier on the back for some users as well. They do have a tendency to break
more than the other models, but they still do not break very easily, as most
cross trainers are fairly sturdy.
Front Drive
Front drive provides much of the opposite benefits
of rear drive. It is more likely to give you a decent uphill feeling which
some users prefer – especially those that are not trying to go at a fast
pace. They are in fairly high demand but like the rear drive types they also
tend to be larger and are not going to fit in as many spaces.
Choosing the Model That You Prefer
It is hard to say which is the better model. None
of these are more beneficial than the other ones are, with the exception of
how front and rear drive take up more space than center drive. What you
really want to look for is which is most comfortable for you, since the
benefits you get from them require you to continue to use them regularly.
The running versus climbing feel is important in some ways, but it is not
likely to change the health benefits. Instead, it will be which is most
comfortable.