Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Using Cardio Machines ..............................................................................
In This Chapter
Knowing whether to trust calorie counters on cardio machines
Fighting boredom in your cardio workout
Using an elliptical trainer, treadmill, stationary bike, stair-climber, VersaClimber, or
rowing machine
W
alk into a health club or fitness-equipment store and you’re likely to
encounter rows of high-tech contraptions that appear to be part video
game, part escalator, and part lawn mower. Don’t be alarmed. The consoles of
these machines may resemble the control panel of Apollo 13, but with a little
help, even a rookie can understand all the flashing red dots and beeping green
arrows. Be thankful for all this technology because it makes indoor aerobic
exercise a lot more fun than it used to be. For all your sweat, the screen offers
you instant gratification — the number of miles that you walk, steps that you
climb, minutes that you cycle, and calories that you burn.Cardiovascular machines tend to come and go. Since the first edition of this
book, we’ve seen the rise and fall of various riders, gliders, and skaters. So
we’re not going to give you a rundown of every crazy invention that’s made
its way onto an infomercial. Instead, this chapter covers the solid, proven
machines, such as treadmills, rowers, bikes, and stair-climbers, as well as a
relative newcomer that we believe is here to stay: the elliptical trainer. We
tell you how to take the drudgery out of exercising in place and how to posi-
tion your body on each machine so that you burn the most calories and
avoid injury.