Everyone, regardless of age or ability, should have equal access to fitness. With this in mind, we’re putting the spotlight on a type of elliptical that is helping a wide group of people achieve their exercise goals. Recumbent cross trainers are eliminating boundaries for people who are injured, elderly or obese and improving their wellness and health.
There is concern that ellipticals and treadmills pose too many threats for some users. Ellipticals require balance, which may make using the machine nearly impossible for someone who is unsteady on their feet due to age or ability. The impact of treadmills on joints is similarly distressing to many users. For some, these issues can create injury, cause setbacks from an exercise goal or worse.
Here’s where recumbent crosstrainers shine by helping their users achieve low impact cardio. A recumbent crosstrainer eases the user into a slightly reclined or relaxed seated position while they pedal their feet (as if they were walking or biking) and simultaneously pump their arms to get a full body workout. This allows a tough workout with minimum joint impact or strain. The individual can adjust the machine to suit their needs, increasing resistance or selecting pre-programed routines to target different muscle groups.
NuStep is a brand that deserves recognition for their recumbent crosstrainers. NuStep products are often found in physical therapy clinics, senior living communities and health and wellness centers.
NuStep machines are especially beneficial for elderly users or anyone recovering from an injury, users challenged by ailments or chronic conditions and people with physical or mobility disabilities. NuStep gives these users special considerations when designing their equipment and has engineered for easy movement on and off of the machines, instantaneous action and low inertia startup.
This past summer NuStep announced that their top-of-the-line T5xr would be added to the home gyms of each of the participants of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” Season 2 to help contestants meet their goal of losing half their bodyweight or more.
Fitness isn’t just for the fit, or the young, or the “able-bodied”. Fitness is for everybody. It can help protect us from disease, improve our balance and prevent falls, repair our injuries, lift us out of depression and prolong our lives. If an upright elliptical or treadmill or exercise bike isn’t for you, ask a Push Pedal Pull representative about a recumbent crosstrainer.