Appendix A:
Competitors’ Machines Benchmarking
Elliptical Machines:
Web Link:
http://www.adventisthealthcare.com/Atoz/hl/fit/card/elliptical.asp
Advantages:
- Maximize time spent exercising; Minimize wear on joints
- Total body workout 30 min
- Great for all levels and ages
Disadvantages:
- Easy to over do your exercise
- Low impact burns less calories
- Some earlier models were built with shoddy craftsmanship while trying to make a
gym machine at a home price
Prices:
$300 - $5000
Web Link:
http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/fitnessfind/articles/0,,195611_42
003,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=8038977
http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products__att259--292999-,att292835--292840,cat_id--12050100.html
Prices: $94.46 - $629.99
Web Link:
http://www.megafitness.com/ellipticaltrainers.html?engine=adwords!1571&keyword=elliptical+machines&match_typ
e=
Low End:
Name: The OrbiTrek Platinum Elliptical Trainer
Price: $199.49
Features: - Takes impact out of workout
- Works upper body too
- Built solid
- Easy use
- Adjustable resistance level
Middle:
Name: Tunturi C3 Elliptical Crosstrainer
Price: $799.00
Features: - Meter with max pulse and target values settings
- Magnetic brakes that ensure smooth and quiet peddling
- Resistance system with 8 steps
- Console with time, step rate, energy consumptions, number of steps
- Handgrip pulse measurement
- Max user weight 250lb
High End:
Name: Tunturi C6 Elliptical Crosstrainer
Rated "Best Buy" in Consumer's Digest
Price: $1,299.00
Features: - Reading Rack
- Heart rate and resistance control programs
- Silent electromagnetic resistance
- Console that shows time, step rate, energy consumption and heart rate
- Max user weight 250 lb
Stair Climbers:
Web Link:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/hl/fit/card/stair.jsp
Advantages:
-
Aerobic work out
Tones muscles in calves, thighs and buttocks
Lower impact than jogging
Can be done inside
Disadvantages:
- Hyperextension of the knee injuries have been known to occur
- As fatigue sets in people place more weight ontheir triceps which decreases
the benefits of the exercise
Web Link:
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=stair+climber&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ff
&oi=froogler
Low End:
Name: Stair Climber with HeartRate Monitor - The Sharper Image US
Price: $199.95
Features: - Contoured foot plates
- LCD screen shows time, heart rate calories burned, etc…
- Weighs 22lb
- Hydraulic cylinder resistance
- Only lower body work out
Low End:
Name: Mini Stepper & Flex - Mini Stair Climber
Price: $94.99
Features: - Easy Storage
- Hydraulic resistance
- LCD monitor displays time, calories burned stride rate, etc…
High End:
Name: Star Trac 4130 Commercial Stair Climber with Polar & Contact Heart ...
Price: $2999.99
Features: - Programs with 250 different workouts
- Heart monitor
Web Link:
http://www.newsearching.com/stair_climber/stair_climber.html
* Different Steppers
Web Link:
http://atoz.iqhealth.com/Atoz/Fitness/CardioCraze/stair.html
*Background on what a stair climber is and how it works
Stationary Bike
Prices:
http://www.megafitness.com/exercise-bikes.html
$120 to $3200
http://www.stationary-bike.com/
$90 to $350
Features:
http://www.stationary-bike.com/catalog/shop/Excel_185_Stationary_Bike
Low end:
-Dual-action handlebars
-20 inch flywheel for friction resistance
-Sturdy steel frame
-Easy to use fitness computer
Excel 185 Stationary Bike
http://www.megafitness.com/mwt0006.html
High End:
-Large, Well-Balanced Flywheel
-Adjustable Seat - Vertically & Forward/Backward
-Adjustable Handlebar With Quick Release Lever
-Stable Frame, Solid Steel Tube
-Powder Painted
-Wheels For Easy Transport
-Electronic Meter
-Pedal-Turns Per Minute (RPM)
-Heart Rate In Beats Per Minute (HR)
-Cycling-Time In Minutes & Seconds (TIME)
-Intended Cycling Speed In Km Per Hour (SPEED)
-Distance Covered In Km (DISTANCE)
-Braking Power Can Be Set
-Reading Of Calorie Consumption ( CAL )
-Power In Watts (WATT)
-Weight: 144 Lbs (65 kg)
-Chestbelt
-Pedals With SPD/Toe Clips
-2 Different PC Software: Anaerobic Test & Submax Aerobic Test
Monark 894E Peak Bike Weight Ergometer
Advantages:
-Can Set Resistance
-Sitting Position, so can have longer workout without tiring
-Can be Self-Powered, so Cost Can be Low
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Info/Cardio_equipment3.htm
-Non-Impact - no stress on knees or back.
-It requires almost no skill to learn.
Disadvantages:
-Large in size
-Not Easily Storable
-Can Be Loud when in Use
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Info/Cardio_equipment3.htm
-Uncomfortable seats.
-Only works lower body – doesn’t burn as many calories (some bikes do have arm levers)
Treadmill
Prices:
http://www.megafitness.com/treadmills.html
http://www.megafitness.com/star-trac-treadmills.html
$1550 to $6500
http://www.megafitness.com/stamina-treadmills.html
$260 to $300
Features:
Low End:
http://www.megafitness.com/star-trac-tr2000p-remanufactured-treadmill.html
-Measures speed from 0.5-10 mph (0.1 increments )
-0-15% Incline
-Electronic Motor
-8 Programs on Controller
Star Trac TR2000P Remanufactured Treadmill
High End:
http://www.megafitness.com/str0001.html
-Digital Scale
-Weight scale
-Calories Burned
-Personal Fan
-Entertainment Key Integration – Can plug in an existing control box
-Pro Partner Technology – Can beam data to a Palm Pilot via Infrared Red Technology
-User Friendly Console –
-Holds Water Bottle
-Holds Personal Electronic Equipment
-Speed
-Inline
-Time elapsed
-Calories burned
-Distance
-Heart rate
-Laps completed
-Pace (min/mile)
-Calories/hour
Star Trac Elite TR6633 Treadmill w/ Fans & Scale
Advantages:
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Info/Cardio_equipment1.htm#treadmills
-Burns more calories than most machines with similar intensity
-Versatile
-Fast or slow
-Flat, incline and sometimes decline.
-Motorized Ones keep the same pace
-Electronic monitoring
-Time
-Intensity
-Preprogrammed routines
-Interval training
-Hills
-Fat loss
.
Disadvantages:
http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Info/Cardio_equipment1.htm#treadmills
-No forward-pushing force - tread goes backwards by itself (don’t work the muscles as
much as walking on ground
-Work done when bring leg forward – can overwork hip flexors and underwork your
glutes and quads (hip flexors become very tight and cramp)