In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2010, 33.8 percent of the adult population in the United States was obese. The CDC also reported that 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were obese. Across the nation, the CDC reported that no state had obesity prevalence under 20 percent, with Colorado the least obese state at 21 percent.The CDC defines obesity as ìan adult who has a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher.î A person’s BMI is calculated using their height and weight, which, for most people, correlates with their amount of body fat.One of the top 10 New Yearís resolutions every year is ìto lose weight,î and the only way to do it safely and smartly is through diet and exercise. The only way to stick to a diet and exercise plan is to find a form of exercise that is enjoyable and suitable to oneís needs and goals.Exercise machines are a great way to begin a weight-loss program. However, with the wide array of equipment and workout gimmicks on the market today, choosing the right one is often confusing and intimidating.Shannon Berry, certified personal trainer and manager at Snap Fitness in Falcon, Colo., said the exercise machine or device people should use depends on what they are trying to achieve.In general, there are three categories of fitness equipment: cardiovascular, functional and specialty.CardiovascularCardio machines are designed to raise a person’s heart rate and keep it elevated for a period of time. Examples of cardio machines include elliptical machines, treadmills and stationary and recumbent bikes.ìThe average person that comes in is going to jump on a treadmill or elliptical machine and will typically do some cardio for about 30 minutes,î Berry said.Howard Bonser, a representative from Fitness Systems in Colorado Springs, said Precor, a brand of exercise equipment that pioneered the elliptical in 1995, is a leading seller of cardio equipment. ìThe same thing we sell to gyms, people want to have in their homes,î he said. ìPeople use it at the gym and recognize the brand name.îHowever, Berry said he isn’t too concerned with brand names. ìAll brands function pretty much the same, although some may be higher quality than others,î he said. ìSnap Fitness tends to work with Cybex or Matrix equipment.îAs reported on Livestrong.com, the elliptical machine is supposed to mimic running while minimizing the impact on the joints. The machine boasts feet platforms that don’t require the user to place and replace their feet while using it. Arm handles on these machines can be stationary or can move in sync with the userís feet. ìThe elliptical has always been a major attraction in gyms in the cardio section,î Berry said. ìThere’s nothing really bad to say about them.îAccording to the manufacturer’s Web site, the Precor EFXÆ (Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer) provides aerobic conditioning that simultaneously strengthens or cross trains different muscles. The design of the elliptical is engineered to work with all body types, and promotes workout ease and comfort. It reduces the impact on joints and emulates changing workout conditions by adjustments to the machine.Similar to the elliptical is the Arc Trainer, produced by Cybex. According to the manufacturer’s Web site, ìthe science behind the Arc Trainer’s big calorie burn is the arc motion. It engages the right muscles ñ quads and glutes ñ that demand lots of energy from the body when they are called upon to work. That means calories burn, and because the arc trainer is demanding of the muscles ñ not the joints ñ it can be used longer without putting a strain on the knees, hip or back.îBerry said the Arc Trainer gained prominence via the ìBiggest Loserî television show. ìIt’s good for seniors or anyone with a knee or hip replacement,î he said. ìIt allows them to do an elliptical style workout but with greater ease.îA treadmill is a stationary machine, comprised of a moving belt, with two rollers underneath, that allows a person to walk or run in place. The belt moves continuously to simulate forward motion.ìWalking or running on a treadmill increases your breathing, heart rate and aerobic capacity. It also strengthens the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and calf muscles as they are forced to continually move and work against the belt,î according to Livestrong.com.Berry said he isn’t fond of treadmills. ìA lot of people run really poorly with a lot of heel strikes and other bad running patterns,î he said. He recommended an elliptical machine or Arc Trainer over a treadmill for the typical user.Stationary bikes work just like a normal bike, but the workout level is based on adjustable resistance ñ the user can pedal leisurely or pedal as if he or she is riding uphill.A recumbent bike works in much the same manner, except the user is sitting in a bucket seat with their legs out in front of them. It is stated on Livestrong.com that recumbent bikes are gaining in popularity over traditional stationary bikes because they provide increased comfort for the user, and don’t impact the hips or lower back as much.At Snap Fitness, a popular stationary bike is the Expresso Interactive Cardio System, a virtual reality stationary bike. ìIt’s an interactive bike,î Berry said. ìYou’re watching a screen and you can choose from different screens and have to steer and stay on course. It’s a little more fun.îFunctional and specialtyWhile Berry said that cardio workouts are important, he said they don’t offer effective full-body fitness results. Bonser said, ìThe industry as a whole is going towards the idea of keeping your whole body in shape.îFunctional training units do just that, Berry said. ìFunctional motion gets you moving in all planes and works your core,î he said. ìFunctional training is kind of a buzz word these days. It’s the basis behind the whole cross-fit craze. It’s people wanting to get back to the basics. People wanting to have the stability, mobility and strength to go get the groceries or pick up their kids.îBerry cited an industry leader in functional training: TRXÆ Suspension Training. According to the manufacturer’s Web site, the training equipment was developed by the Navy Seals as a portable, lightweight device to facilitate training anywhere. ìYou use your own body weight as resistance,î Berry said. ìYou can easily change the amount of resistance by changing your body position. If I were to start my own gym right now, it wouldn’t include any of the traditional machines. Machines have their place, but given an option between a room full of machines or a functional training unit, I would choose the functional unit.îBonser said another popular functional training system is called the LifeFitness G3. The G3 uses pulleys and cables to allow for a higher range of motion. ìYour range of motion is unrestricted and your movements are completely natural and biomechanically correct,î according to its Web site. ìVirtually unlimited cable exercise variety recruits all major muscle groups on multiple planes for better results in less time.îBerry said there are several smaller specialty devices that can be used alone or in addition to a workout routine. He cited free weights, resistance bands or tubes and kettle bells as popular and accessible options.Dumbbells are a type of free weight that almost everyone can intuitively use, Berry said. Kettle bells are similar, but require a little more training to use, he said. ìOne isn’t better than the other,î Berry said. ìThere’s just different lifts you can do with kettle bells. They’re very good tools but you need proper instruction.îResistance bands are high on Berry’s favorite list. ìI lean towards the 41 looped band (41 Resistance Loop Exercise Band),î Berry said. ìIt looks like a big rubber band. It allows me to work my clients in all planes of motion. They’re great for anybody at any age. You get resistance training, but you can also get the cardio aspect at the same time, depending on how you program the workout.îBerry reiterated that choosing an exercise machine or device always depends on an individualís fitness goal.
