The Evolution of the Elliptical Trainer

Elliptical Trainers are some of the more predominant commercial fitness equipment in the market at present. As they integrate both upper and lower body motion, they are almost indispensable parts of top of the line programs in homes and fitness centers. The following is a description of history and features of the Elliptical Trainer from where it started to where it is now. To understand why Elliptical Trainers are very popular; we may have to go back as far as the fitness booms of 1970’s and 1980’s and their impact on the creation of innovative commercial fitness equipment. In those decades, the quintessential image of beach weightlifters showing off their muscles lingered as the predominant impression for fitness enthusiasts, a trend that went as far back as the turn of the century caricatures. However, in the 1970’s, free weights became the “IN” thing and fitness began anew as something that ordinary people can embrace on their own. Also, they realized that they can do their exercises without going to a gymnasium. Fitness then became an interdisciplinary field as other sports integrated their influence and contribution in the other direction also increased; as free weights and cardiovascular conditioning became necessary implements to develop excellence in other sports disciplines. This period also experienced booming sales for treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, up until more sophisticated StairMasters became a household name. Then in the mid 1990’s, at the time, the first Elliptical Trainer models where introduced in the market, most consumers were ready to assimilate machine assisted commercial fitness equipment into their exercise routines. The result was another fitness boom along with other products; but the Elliptical Trainers remained unsurpassed in several specific categories. As the science of fitness advances further, experts integrated several popular concepts that now became standard features of Elliptical Trainers. Commercial fitness equipment manufacturers became more aware of safety and other areas where consumers can experience the elliptical effect better. Among the features that drove the design and development of Elliptical Trainers were the minimal impact on joints and a wider range of motion for muscles. These are still important even in other equipment because they facilitate exercise in almost all parts of the body. The Elliptical Trainers were unique for a time because of its adjustable stride path and the handlebars moved with the arms just as skiers need to train indoors for winter sports. Both of these features let fitness buffs get an overall body work out at less time. Elliptical Trainers also have a Variable Resistance and Adjustable Stride Lengths that allow enthusiasts having a range of body types and fitness levels to use the machine. Without these, the routines can lead to a fitness plateau where the body gets used to a particular exercise. These minor adjustments pushed the envelope to a point were only one type of commercial fitness equipment is needed for a home gym to provide an overall cardiovascular workout. But it didn’t stop there; the more advanced models have their own heart monitors, customizable program displays, angle adjustments and other implements. These features are among the first things that buyers look for in today’s commercial fitness equipment. As we can see Elliptical Trainers and their development have influenced the progressive advance of the fitness sciences to where it is now; and from the trends we observed, it will continue to do so into the future. For more information, you can visit href="http://www.keystonefitness.ca"