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The Flywheel - An Important Part Of An Elliptical Trainer

Elliptical trainers are becoming very popular amongst people working out both in gyms and at home. This is because an elliptical trainer allows anyone to get a great workout, even someone who has joint problems, as it offers a very low impact cardiovascular workout. Possible injuries are greatly reduced and a person can work on their upper and lower bodies so is great for weight loss as well as fitness goals. Buying an elliptical trainer is an investment in your own healthy future but knowing what to buy and what to look for can be a challenge.

Due to its popularity there are now a lot of brands and models on the market today to choose from. Prices start around $500 and go all the way up to $5000. Though the less expensive models may be more tempting to your wallet, do consider that a cheap price probably means cheap components that may go wrong sooner rather than later. The flywheel is key to an elliptical trainer - it generates the circling motion and the resistance for your workouts.

The lower priced machines, while tempting at their affordability, have components that just won’t last that long. The flywheels are cheaply made and use belts to create resistance. After not a lot of use these belts will need replacing. Ideally if you can afford it, look for an elliptical machine that has a flywheel that uses a magnetic system to alternate electrical current to get the required resistance changes.

The position of a flywheel can also change from model to model. Traditionally it has been usual for machines to have one large flywheel places at the rear of the trainer. But this makes the trainer quite big and bulky. More modern elliptical designs have changed from using 1 large flywheel to 2 smaller ones that can be placed next to each other, making the trainer shorter, but fatter. Some claim the latter deign adds to its stability and gives a more smooth workout motion.

Very importantly you need to check the flywheel mechanisms warranty. You need a warranty on this part, and most decent brands will at least offer a year, though some have warranties that are as long as 5 years or fall somewhere in between. Make sure you opt for a known brand that can be trusted, check out the reviews of models you are considering and pay particular care to the flywheel.

Elliptical fitness equipment and accessories. Today’s special: Kettler Elliptical Cross Trainer