For the next several months, the sun will be setting earlier and the weather will become colder. The fall and winter months make it more difficult to exercise for us, because who wants to walk, jog or run outside when it is dark and cold? It is not fun to wake up at 6:30am, go to work from 8am until 5pm, and then run outside with no sun, and have to wear orange reflectors and winter hats. In the spring and summer, it is easy for one to run outside because it is warm and light out until 9pm, but do you have enough self-discipline to run in rail, sleet, hail or snow? There is no reason to test your limits, when it is easy and economic, to get a treadmill for your home.

Stationary exercise bikes have been around for centuries. The Gymnasticon was created by Francis Lowndes at the end of the 18th century and this aerobic machine resembled an exercise bike. Upright and recumbent exercise bikes are similar to traditional bicycles. The main differences between stationary exercise bikes and normal bicycles is that stationary bikes do not have the same wheels as bicycles and stationary bikes are not used for transportation. Both kinds of bikes have handlebars, a seat, pedals are solid tools for building endurance, losing weight and daily exercise. Simple yet effective, exercise bikes have been a staple in the fitness equipment industry for as long as one can remember. Stationary bikes are awesome tools for cardiovascular exercise for many reasons.

Recumbent bikes and upright bikes are the two different types of exercise cycles. Recumbent models have a seat back like a desk chair would have, so that the user can recline with the comfort of back support. On an upright bicycle, riders can not support their weight by reclining, their entire weight rests on the seat, pedals and handlebars. Many people believe that riding on an upright bike is more difficult than riding on a recumbent bike.

First of all, exercise bikes are simple and compact. Recumbent and upright stationary bikes do not take up a large amount of space like treadmills, ellipticals, home gyms and other bulky pieces of gym equipment. Aesthetically speaking, exercise bikes are easier on the eye than other forms of gym equipment. Due to the fact that bikes are smaller and more compact than other forms of gym equipment, there is less to go wrong on an exercise bike, than there is on an elliptical machine or treadmill. Under the hood of an exercise bike one will typically find a belt, pedal wheel, flywheel, motor, a wire connecting the motor to strip magnets, a spring and a couple of other gadgets. If we were to list all of the parts in a treadmill or an elliptical, it would take several hours! Less is more when it comes to fitness equipment parts.

Evidenced by the fact that there are many Life Fitness “Life Cycles” that were manufactured decades ago, that are still in great condition, and being used by people all over the world, the LF 9500 is one of best exercise bikes on the planet.

For example, the Life Fitness 9500HR Upright LifeCycle has been a mainstay in health clubs and fitness centers since the early 90′s. With a smooth and quiet belt-drive system, users can pedal all day long on this virtually flawless and maintenance free exercise bike. Ask a friend. Talk to a neighbor. Go to your local health club or fitness center and talk to a fitness expert. Anyone and everyone will tell you that this LF LifeCycle is a great piece of gym equipment. Whether you are a beginner, expert, or just buying this bicycle for a friend or loved one, you will be astonished with how user-friendly this awesome stationary bike is. Life Fitness has built their outstanding reputation around manufacturing bikes with supreme quality and comfort such as this 9500HRT.

Indoor rowing machines give people a total body workout through stationary physical training. Used to simulate watercraft rowing, stationary rowing machines were developed for collegiate rowing teams in the 1950′s, and by the 1960′s, indoor rowers were quintessential for all college level, or professional rowers. While providing the same cardiovascular benefits as running, rowing machines are great because they do not put the same high impact pressure on your body that running on a treadmill does. Rowing machines are traditional pieces of exercise equipment that have been used for decades and their longevity can be attributed to many things, one of which is their simple drive system that controls resistance. Resistance created from a spinning flywheel, controlled by a braking system, is a very common on rowing machines. Indoor fitness rowers, controlled by braked flywheel resistance, are powered through a flywheel that is connected by by some kind of strap, rope or chain.

Stationary rowers with electromagnetic resistance use electromagnets and a flywheel to control resistance. Magnetic drive and braking systems are quieter than rowing machines with flywheels that are air and water resistant.

Air resistance, as many of us have seen on stationary exercise bikes, is another form of resistance and power for rowing machines. Models that use air-resistance have fan-like blades that are connected to the flywheel. As the speed of the flywheel increases, the resistance increases. Rowers with this type of air resistance are one of some of the loudest rowing machines in the fitness equipment industry.

Another form of resistance on rowing machines is water. With an enclosed tank of water, and a paddle in the center, water based rowing machines simulate the natural sounds one would hear if they were rowing in a pond, lake or ocean. Many of the newer rowing machines made by First Degree Fitness such the as the Fluid Neptune and Pacific are good examples of solid, well reviewed, water rowers. Water rowers emulate the smooth and natural rowing motions that one would feel when they are rowing in a real rowboat with oars, which is one of their many likable features.

Piston resistance is created from hydraulic cylinders that are connected to the arms of the rowing machine. Rowing machines that have pistons are typically smaller than water and air rowers. Besides structural differences between piston and water rowers, is that rowers with pistons have less of a natural rowing feel, than air, water and electromagnetic rowers. Typically smaller and less expensive than other rowing machines, piston rowers are not the health club caliber rowing machines one would use in a health club or fitness facility.

Today, millions of people use stationary rowing machines across the planet at their gym, health club, office, and home gyms. Whereas most fitness equipment is heavy, bulky and immobile, rowing machines are effective, easy to move and do not create an eye-sore that takes up half of your guest room.

Sparked by the necessity for a portable and continual power supply, treadmills were developed to generate consistent power supply. Originating as agricultural machines, designed to power butter churns, water pumps and spinning wheels, treadmills have come a long way since their draconian days when they were used by horses, sheep, dogs and mules, to help farmers produce power, rather than help humans get and stay in shape. It wasn’t until 1952, that the University of Washington Dr. Robert Bruce, who was believed by many to be the father of exercise cardiology, along with his colleague, and fellow UW employee Wayne Quinton, developed the first medical treadmill, built to study, treat and diagnose heart and lung disease. This treadmill would be the foundation for what we exercise on today.

When discussing the origins of the treadmill, it helps to understand its etymology. The word “Tread” refers to a person or animal “treading” in place, while the word “Mill”, refers to a machine for grinding. Coming a long way from being used for the same purpose of a windmill, modern day treadmills are great tools for helping people to decrease their body fat percentage, increase flexibility, lose weight, build endurance, gain stamina, reduce blood pressure, and countless other benefits associated with treadmill usage.

Altrhough the treadmills of today can ultimately be traced back to the 19th century, todays treadmills are based off of the models that were built in the middle of the 20th century, rather than the 19th. Once the 1960′s came along, the fitness equipment industry emerged as a function of a public yearning to become healthier and the treadmill boom took effect. No longer were treadmills solely owned and operated by doctors, inventors and fitness gurus, ordinary Americans were intrigued by the health benefits associated with treadmills. Capitalists quickly realized the popularity of treadmills and decided that the commercial production of treadmills, both residential and gym (health club quality), would be an optimal investment. While the fitness equipment industry blossomed, treadmills were pushed by fitness equipment manufacturers such as Tunturi (a bicycle making business based out of Finland) & Aerobics Inc (American), developed several different models of treadmills. Even NASA (National Aeronautics Space Association) jumped on the treadmill bandwagon as NASA used treadmills to train astronauts and get them in shape for long orbits in space.

With features including user-friendly interactive workout programming, wireless heart rate controls, entertainment centers with TV, DVD, Internet & iPod functions, and an aesthetic appeal that resembles modern art more than draconian machinery, treadmills have come a long way since their nineteenth century inception. Fitness equipment companies such as Precor, Life Fitness, Star Trac, StairMaster and Body-Solid, have all contributed significantly to the evolution of the treadmill, evidenced by the amount of money, time, and analysis these fitness equipment brands have invested.

If you are interested in purchasing a treadmill, let us educate you on the different parts and controls of home and commercial treadmills. Treadmill parts and products include the running belt, motor controllers, treadmill motors, running deck, frame, treadmill rollers, incline wheels, drive belts, tension motors, braking mechanisms and electronic consoles. In order to simplify things for you, make sure you buy a treadmill that has a solid steel frame, a speed motor that has at least 2.0HP, a running deck that is at least 18″W x 58″L, and an iron-clad warranty that backs up all of these treadmill parts in writing. One good thing about a saturated fitness equipment industry is that you get the benefit of having a wide selection of treadmills to chose from. Whether you are a novice or an expert, there is no benefit in buying a treadmill that is not built well. Always do your homework when it comes to buying fitness equipment such as treadmills in order to prevent yourself from not getting full value for your money.

Often looked past, is the suspension system and the suspension on a treadmill is key toward keeping its users in good health. What good is running miles and miles, while burning tons of calories, just to wake up the next morning, with severe aches and pains, because the suspension on the treadmill resembled more of an asphalt road than a grass field. Certain treadmill features come to mind when considering purchasing a treadmill and many of us look right past the suspension, while analyzing the speed, power incline, exercise programs, fitness tests and its cosmetic appearance.

People love to run in the morning, afternoon, put a reflector on and run at night. Run for fun. Running has an interesting way of making us feel healthier mentally and physically speaking. We sleep better, feel lighter, have more stamina, look healthier and eat more balanced diets when running and daily exercise are like second nature and intrinsic to our everyday lives. Other pieces of fitness equipment such as stair climbers, rowing machines and elliptical trainers are all effective cardiovascular training machines, however, treadmills give us the ability to run for as long, and as fast as possible, while allowing users to truly mimic their natural running and walking motions.

Millions of people take time out of their day to walk, jog or run on a treadmill. After all, the classic workout incorporates warming up through stretching, working with strength equipment, and running on a treadmill. Running on treadmills allow our bodies to look and feel young. Commercial health clubs and home gyms can not be complete without a gym grade, health club quality treadmill. One of the many great things about treadmills, is that they are beneficial for everyone including teenagers, adults, senior citizens, beginners, professional athletes, and even those who are disabled. Daily exercise is necessary, and treadmill usage is essential, for all people that want to burn calories, lose weight, gain speed, build endurance and get in shape.