machines — riders, gliders, and such — has come to a near halt. (Infomercial
producers seem to have switched from hawking schlocky cardio contraptions
to hawking bogus weight-loss supplements, which we describe in Chapter 26.)Which type of home cardio machine is the best? Our answer hasn’t changed
from the first two editions: The best machine is the one you’ll use. That’s why
testing several machines before you bring one home is so important. You
don’t want to end up with a space-eating, dust-collecting monster that you
can’t wait to unload in your next garage sale. This chapter helps you sort
through the different options. After you buy your equipment, read Chapter 9,
which describes how to use good form on each type of cardio machine.Treadmills
Treadmill prices have dropped considerably in the past few years, while
the quality of some lower-priced models has improved. You can now buy
a decent treadmill for under $1,000.We think self-powered treadmills, the ones without motors, are a waste of
money. You typically can’t get the walking belt moving unless you incline the
machine, but that makes the exercise too challenging for many beginners.
Running on these treadmills is impossible — you need an even steeper incline,
and the belt tends to stick.Nor are we fond of treadmills with arm attachments — ski-pole-type mecha-
nisms that you push and pull as you walk or run on the treadmill. Most tread-
mills with arms are lousy; the rowing motion doesn’t match your natural arm
swing, so your whole stride is thrown off. (On the other hand, many of the
bikes, ladder climbers, and elliptical trainers with arm handles work well.)
The big selling point with these double-duty treadmills is the extra calorie
burn, but you’re not going to burn more calories if the machine slows you
down, feels awkward, or exhausts you so quickly that you head for the couch
after ten minutes. And if you swing your arms the way you naturally would
when walking or running, you’re getting that extra calorie benefit, anyway.Important treadmill features
Treadmills used to be large, noisy, cumbersome contraptions. Now most of
them are smooth, streamlined, and quiet. Still, you need to thoroughly inspect
any treadmill before you buy it. Here’s what to look for:308 Part VI: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)