Is the elliptical or treadmill better for weight loss and for burning calories? That is the burning question of the hour. (Pun Intended)

Both cardio machines target major muscle groups in the lower body. So if you’re trying to lose weight, both will help you burn extra calories.

Does a Treadmill or Elliptical Burn More Calories?

A study performed by Harvard Medical School found that for the average 155-pound person, 30 minutes on the elliptical burns 335 calories. On the same person, 30 minutes on the treadmill can burn 372 calories. So, if your goal is overall caloric burn rate, the treadmill outshines the elliptical by a smidge. It’s important to keep in mind that the calorie burn of your workout will largely depend on your weight and the intensity output of your exercise. 

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Ellipticals vs. Bikes: The Cardio Equipment Showdown

Excess belly fat possesses huge health risks, and it may shorten our lives too. Men are more susceptible to serious health issues if their waistlines are bigger than 40 inches (102 cm). On the other hand, women are regarded as obese if they have a waist measurement of 35 inches (89 cm) or more.

The higher the circumference of our waist is, the more belly fat is present to make fatal health conditions creep up. Belly fat increases the risks of having high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain liver problems. So, it’s important to work diligently to keep our belly fat down.

If you’ve ever tried to lose belly fat, you know that it’s the most stubborn and difficult to get rid of. It’s something that we really have to work hard at. The most effective way to burn off fat in the abdominal area is cardio. But, you don’t have to kill yourself with crazy exercises in the process.

Experts suggest that it is best to have an elliptical or bike for belly fat reduction goals. These low impact cardio machines can help you shred off the fat, without performing insanely intense exercises. (Like – Burpees. No thanks. Enough said.) Continue reading →

The Complete Guide to Lubricating Your Elliptical Machine

Elliptical machines are widely popular for low-impact cardio exercise. The design of ellipticals deliver minimal joint impact, decreasing the chance of injury. So, people with knee or joint injuries can easily exercise on ellipticals without pain or aggravating any injury. 

A good elliptical is a huge investment. Ellipticals require good care to run well for a long period of time. Lubricating your elliptical is a big requirement in making sure that your elliptical is well maintained and will last for years and years. 

Elliptical lubricant helps to reduce the natural wear and tear that happens to ellipticals from frequent use. The process of lubrication plays a major role in boosting the longevity of an elliptical. It also aids in retaining the functionality of the machine, making it smooth and effective. If elliptical lubricant is regularly used to keep an elliptical machine functional, you can avoid costly repair expenses. Since lubrication reduces friction, it helps to lessen noise and vibrations produced by the machine. 

Greasing your elliptical can seem like an overwhelming task. You just spent a lot of money on an elliptical machine, and you don’t want to mess it up. We get it – that’s why we created this guide to make it simple and pain free.

In this article, we are going to discuss elliptical grease (lubricant) and how and when to use it. 

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Find Out How Your City Ranks in the 2021 American Fitness Ratings

You are the only one in charge of your health and physical fitness. No one is going to drag you out of bed every morning to go to the gym or force you to spend 30 minutes on the elliptical or the treadmill. No one is going to slap the donut out of your hand and replace it with an apple, or monitor what you eat 24/7. Your health is up to you.

Or is it? Could something outside of your control be affecting your weight, your happiness, and your overall health? Could where you live in the United States affect how likely you are to have diabetes, exercise, or go outside and walk?

The answer is…yes! It turns out, where you live and the overall health of your community can affect your health and fitness habits. That’s why researchers put together the 2021 American Fitness Index – a huge research project that ranked the 100 largest cities in the country according to their health and lifestyle habits, researching everything from “health behaviors and chronic diseases to city infrastructure.” (1)

So where does your city rank in the 2021 American Fitness Ratings? Is your city among the top 25 healthiest cities in America? What about the top five? Well, check out the top 5 healthiest cities in the United States below to find out… Continue reading →

Proper Use of Fitness Equipment Prevents Tragedies

“The parents of a 2-year-old boy from Staten Island, N.Y., learned the hard way just how dangerous exercise equipment can be. In September, the boy’s skin was pulled off his hand when he touched the belt on a treadmill.

Another 2-year-old boy, from Johnson City, Tenn., severed three fingers when his hand became caught in the front wheel of an exercise bike in May 1995.

And the hair of a 3-year-old girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was pulled from her scalp when it was caught in part of a manual exercise bike in December 1996.” (1)

That’s the opener of a 1998 Los Angeles Times article entitled, “Fitness Equipment That Helps Grown-Ups Can Hurt Kids,” by Tomoko Hosaka. Although that article was published 23 years ago, tragic accidents like the ones mentioned above are still taking place all over the country. Just months ago, a small child was killed in a tragic accident involving a Peloton treadmill. (2)

According to one study, about 12,000 children each year are taken to the emergency room because of a fitness-equipment-related accident. (3) And now more than ever because of the continuing pandemic and gym closures, people are buying fitness equipment to use in their homes. Continue reading →

Keep Your Treadmill or Elliptical as Good as New with These Simple Tips

A few months ago, with all the lock downs, you invested in a brand-new elliptical or treadmill, so that you could keep working on your fitness goals – even when it seemed like the world around you was falling to pieces.

You know very well that investing in a piece of exercise equipment is no cheap endeavor, and now that you’ve used your new treadmill for a few months, you’re worried about keeping it in top-notch condition.

Maintaining your fitness equipment can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never owned a treadmill or elliptical before. But, it’s not as hard as you think, and with these simple tips, your fitness equipment will last you a very long time.

Your Treadmill is Dirtier Than You Think

You might think that since only you and the people in your household use your gym equipment, you don’t have to clean it as often as the equipment in a gym. Right? Wrong.

Every time you exercise, your sweat, germs and other bacteria from your hands and body get all over your floor, equipment, and the surfaces of your room. Getting rid of these bacteria can help prevent the spread of germs and keep you and your family safe and healthy.

Dr. George Nelson, an infectious disease doctor says, “bacteria can survive on hard surfaces for days and even months under the right (or in this case, wrong) conditions.” (1) That’s why it’s best to get rid of that bacteria as soon as possible.   Continue reading →

The Effect of Sugary Drinks On Your Health

Staying hydrated, especially in the hot summer months, needs to be at the top of the priority list. But not everything you drink is good for you. In fact, some of the beverages that you may be chugging to keep from feeling parched could be doing serious harm.

Obviously we all need to be drinking water, but sometimes plain old water just isn’t what you want. Sometimes we turn to a soda, but other times it might be a fruit flavored drink to help us feel refreshed.

The problem lies in the sugar that is often added to flavored drinks, be they bubbly or not. That additional sugar can have far-reaching effects on your cardiovascular health over time. Continue reading →

Study Shows Red Meat and Processed Meat Cause Early Death

There’s nothing quite like a good ol’ American meal of meat and potatoes! However, new research and studies are showing that, while delicious, your juicy steak may be cutting significant years off of your life.

When it comes to your overall health, what you put into your body is as important as the amount of activity it gets. So let’s get real for a sec – and talk about how much red meat you should really be eating.

Can 30 Minutes a Day Keep the Pharmacist Away?

According to the CDC, 75 million Americans have high blood pressure. That’s one in three, so chances are you know someone suffering from what the American Heart Association calls “the silent killer”. Most people manage their high blood pressure by taking a pill every day, but what if there was a better way to maintain healthy blood pressure.

When it comes to being healthy, you might immediately think about your weight and exercise routine. But a large part of being healthy is ensuring our bodies are able to perform necessary functions effectively and efficiently.

This includes things we usually don’t think about until there’s a problem, like your blood pressure.

Losing Weight May Save You From a Heart Attack 

You probably hear people talk about weight loss and high cholesterol all the time, but did you know they are two sides of the same coin?

Knowing your cholesterol facts and the role your weight plays can help keep you be happy and healthy for longer.

What Is Cholesterol?

The word cholesterol strikes fear into the hearts of many, but it helps if you know your cholesterol facts. Not all cholesterol is bad, in fact, good cholesterol is healthy for your body and provides many benefits.