A stair stepper consists of a pair of foot pedals on a frame with handlebars or handrails. These are attached to an alternator with a chain drive. The alternator creates resistance, which supports your body weight as you step. At higher intensity workout levels, the foot pedals give you less support, so you’re forced step faster and higher as you strive to keep from bottoming out the pedals and ascend the imaginary “stair.”

The most familiar brand name of stairstepper machine is Stairmaster.

It’s a familiar sight at most gyms to see people propping themselves on the handrails while they use the Stairmaster. By using their arms to take the load off their legs, they’re reducing the intensity of their workout while the control console shows them burning calories at a high rate. Some models of stairstepper have addressed this problem by replacing the full set of handrails with a wishbone-shaped handlebar in front of the user that’s only useful for balance. However, bigger people may not feel as secure on these machines because they look less stable. It’s tempting to cheat when your workout isn’t going well, but supporting your body with your arms on a stair stepper defeats its purpose.

A stair climber looks like a three-step escalator with a railing on each side. Stairclimbers have a revolving staircase that cycle endlessly toward the bottom of the machine as you climb toward the top. The stairs revolve from 30 to 156 steps per minute, which ranges from a very slow walk to a dead run. You intensify the workout by pushing a button on the console and speeding them up.

A stairclimber could very well be the most intense workout you can get on a piece of exercise equipment. Each step is a full 8 inches high, and when the machine is humming along at high speed, you’ll be sweating and gasping for breath in a hurry. Cheating by leaning on the handrails won’t decrease the intensity of your workout much on a stairclimber. A popular item in most gyms, they nonetheless are getting hard to find as many manufacturers have stopped making them. Maybe the commercial gyms have stopped buying stair climbers because they’re trickier to maintain under constant use than less complex pieces of equipment. Or maybe the workout they give you is too much for all but the most dedicated gym rat.

Stairmaster is the best known manufacturer of stair climber machines. The earliest model was named the Stairmaster 4000 PT Gauntlet, which is an appropriate name for the intense workout this machine provided. Later designs included the Stairmaster Stepmill 7000PT. Although hard to find new, refurbished models are available at reasonable prices with short-term warranties. A used Stairmaster can be a terrific investment and a great fitness machine to add to your home gym.

To use a row machine, you sit in a seat situated close to the floor at the back of the unit, and place your feet against a footbrace. Grasping the handles or a T-bar, you pull your body backward against the rowing machine’s resistance with an even balance of arm and leg strength. This gives you an aerobic workout while building muscle strength because of the resistance on your arm and leg muscles. Many rowers say that indoor rowing is the ultimate cross training workout.

For some reason, though, rowing isn’t the first choice of most gym members and people shopping for a home exercise machine. It’s possible that the cheap rowing machines that hit the market in the first wave of home rowing machines left a bad impression on people. But the more likely explanation is that using a rower machine is a blend of grueling and extremely boring. Nobody complains more about this than competitive rowers themselves, who would rather be out on the water in a racing shell than indoors laboring on an erg. But unless they live in a climate where they can row year round, their sport demands that they stay in shape during the winter months, so the rowing machine is an indispensable part of their home fitness equipment collection.

Most competitive rowers favor the air rowing machine. This classic design consists of a nonmotorized fan that spins each time they take a stroke by pulling backward on the T-handle. The fan blades create resistance against the air and increase the effort needed for a stroke. Air rowers are sometimes called ergs, and competitive athletes look forward to indoor erg tests with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Coaches will often use an erg to test which position to place team members in the shell for the entire season, so poor performance can mean being relegated to a less favorable position in the boat.

There are many brands of rowing machines available, including Concept 2, Bodycraft VR100, Body Row, Kettler Coach, Kettler Kadett, Lifecore R900, Row E3, Spartan Sports, Schwinn, Stamina ATS 1400 air rower, and Tunturi.

A new concept in rowing machines is the Water Rower. This machine uses a wheel with fins submerged in a water tank to provide the resistance for each stroke. Water rowing is meant to closely simulate what an actual rowing stroke feels like in a rowing shell.

For most home fitness enthusiasts, rowing is an acquired taste, and some of them never acquire it. But if you like cross training, or if you can’t run as much as you’d like to due to knee pain or other ailments, give a rowing machine a serious look. Discount rowing machines are available online at bargain prices.

People who like to ride a fitness bike fall into three categories. The first is the serious cyclist who is kept indoors by bad weather. Although many cyclists ride in the wintertime, the experience isn’t always pleasant, and it can be dangerous when conditions are slippery. A stationary bicycle allows athletes to keep up a training routine during the off season without a break, enhancing their performance in the summer months.

The second group of exercise bike enthusiasts are people who for one reason or another can’t or don’t want to use equipment that involves walking or running. People with disabilities and injuries fall into this category. So do people who are just starting out in a fitness program and want to take things slow at first, as well as those who simply want to maintain their current fitness level with an easygoing aerobic workout. These folks can be found sitting on an exercise cycle perusing a magazine or avidly watching their favorite TV show, barely breaking a sweat as they give their heart and legs a moderate workout.

The third group of people who like exercise bicycles is runners and walkers who want a cross-trainer. Spending one or two days a week on an exercycle gives their knees and other joints a break from the rigors of running and leaves them refreshed for their next run.

It’s no secret that a stationary bike isn’t as intense a workout as other types of fitness machines. Cycling is meant to be a long-term, low-level aerobic activity. Although elite cyclists may have the muscle and coordination to make a workout on an exercise cycle an intense cardio experience, most people don’t. However, exercise bikes can certainly put your heart into its aerobic zone, and because your heart rate will be on the low end of that zone, you can ride for much longer than you’d be able to run. Sustained low-level exercise is very good for your heart, and is probably safer for people who are out of shape, overweight, or recovering from heart disease.

To increase the intensity of your workout, you can program the exercise bike to produce more resistance on the pedals. A set of built-in programs is a nice feature to have on a fitness bike. Some models even record your personal workout routine and replay it on demand.

Some brands to look for in a stationary bike include Schwinn and Life Fitness. The Schwinn Airdyne uses a fan to produce resistance instead of an electric motor.

Most people are familiar with the upright exercise bike, which looks just like a regular bicycle with a saddle and the pedals below your torso. But not everyone is familiar with the recumbent exercise bike, which changes your seating position so you’re leaning back, with your legs out in front of you. Recumbent exercise bikes have wide seats with backrests, so they’re very comfortable. Instead of hunching over a set of handlebars, you’re reclining in comfort and can flip through a magazine as you pedal away. Many riders report that their back problems cleared up when they switched from an upright exercycle to a recumbent. Schwinn makes several models, including the Schwinn 230, the Schwinn 203, and the Schwinn 231.

The mini exercise bike has burst on the scene recently and is a favorite of people with very limited space in the home. This is simply a set of pedals in a small box that sits on the floor. Mini exercise bikes are pedaled from a sitting position in an appropriate chair and have adjustable resistance just like a full size model. Quality varies greatly in these machines. The best ones have a high rate of customer satisfaction, while the worst are little more than cheap junk.

Reading some exercise bike reviews will help you make up your mind when you’re ready to buy. Whether you’re a serious cyclist or just starting out in your fitness regimen, a stationary bike makes working out a lot easier.

Because your feet never leave the footbeds, elliptical fitness equipment is zero impact. Many runners with knee problems have switched over to ellipticals so they can continue the intense aerobic workouts they love. At the same time, elliptical exercise is considered weight-bearing exercise despite its lack of impact. Any time your body is pulling against gravity, it’s bearing weight—good news for women (and many men) who are concerned about osteoporosis.

The majority of elliptical exercise equipment has a pair of moving handlebars in addition to the footbeds. These handlebars are designed to coordinate the motion of your arms and legs so that you’re pulling toward yourself on the side you’re striding with. This simulates the motion of walking or running and gives your upper body a moderate workout along with your lower body. For this reason, they have been dubbed elliptical cross-trainers.

Most elliptical machines have an electric alternator that controls the unit’s resistance. Unlike a treadmills, where the motor makes the belt go faster, the alternator on an elliptical trainer tries to slow you down, increasing your exertion by making your legs work harder. Some cheap ellipticals use a simple friction system to increase the resistance.

One important feature to look for in elliptical equipment is synchronized handlebars with a mechanical ratio that allows your arms to move more slowly than your legs so they can do more work. Machines with a 1-to-1 arm-leg speed ratio simply take your arms along for the ride because the handles move so quickly.

Some of the most popular brands of elliptical exercise machines are Life Fitness, Schwinn, Nordictrack, Octane, Proform, and Ironman.

Ellipticals are popular in smaller living quarters because they’re not as heavy as other workout machines, and they’re more compact. They’re also not as noisy because there’s no impact and therefore no pounding noises of footsteps for your neighbor to put up with while you’re working out. With fewer moving parts, they’re less expensive to maintain, too. Unlike treadmills, there are no expensive belts to replace every few years. If you’re on a budget, take a look at the mini elliptical trainer. These are sold under many brands and are very small and less expensive than the full size models.

You can read and watch TV on your elliptical machine even at full speed, because only your arms and legs are moving. However, if you’re in physical therapy or have problems walking, you need to be very careful which machine you buy. With some models, you have to climb up a little bit to get your feet into the footbeds, and once you’re striding, you have to stay coordinated and keep your legs moving. Some people in PT love their ellipticals, but others aren’t able to use them. Choosing the right model is very important.

Shop online for elliptical trainer reviews so you can pick the right features and prices when you’re ready to buy.

The exercise treadmill is so popular because it gives you a very simple workout: walking or running. It doesn’t make you learn any new, complicated skills in order to get a fitness workout. Treadmill workouts are very effective and available to a wide range of people, from marathon runners to people with disabilities who can only walk very slowly. You can vary your workout intensity two ways: by varying the speed at which the treadmill belt travels, or by varying the incline. The best treadmills have a small hydraulic piston that raises or lowers the front end in graduated increments. This “incline” feature allows you to simulate hill climbing and increase your exertion without changing your speed.

The parts of a treadmill consist of a deck to provide a walking surface, a flywheel attached to an electric motor, a wide, loop-shaped, flexible belt, a set of roller bearings to rotate the belt, and a frame to support the handlebars and control console. The electric treadmill is more common than the manual treadmill because the electric motor makes the belt speed consistent. A manual treadmill is controlled by the speed that you walk or run, while the electric treadmill is controlled by the digital display unit that you can use to fine-tune your workout.

Runners appreciate the cushioning provided by the treadmill workout. The belt is thick enough to provide some cushioning by itself, plus more and more manufacturers are adding in additional cushioning on the deck itself. Treadmill running is estimated to be anywhere from 12 to 25 percent softer than running on pavement. This translates into less stress on the knees, back, and other joints.

Some of the major treadmill brands include Proform, Life Fitness, York, Nordictrack, Horizon, Weslo, Image, Epic, True, Trimline, Sportcraft, Landice, and Pacemaster.

The best treadmills are the commercial models. These fitness machines are built to take punishment hour after hour, day after day. For more home fitness enthusiasts, a commercial treadmill is overkill, but if you weigh over 200 pounds, have multiple family members who use the machine, work out for more than one hour, or use the unit every day, you’ll want to get the best treadmill you can afford. A high-end home treadmill will need fewer repairs and you won’t have to throw it out when all of its components break down.

If you don’t weigh much, work out infrequently, and don’t spend a long time at your workout, you can consider buying a cheap treadmill. One way to save money is to buy one with a smaller belt. The smaller the belt, the less the cost, not only initially, but later. Wider, long belts take a lot more motor power to drive them, so the motor will wear out faster. Walkers won’t have a problem with a smaller belt, but if you’re a runner, buying a treadmill should include getting the biggest belt available in your price range, so you don’t have to change your running stride when you use it.

Treadmill motors are rated two ways: standard horsepower (hp), and continuous horsepower (chp). HP is the highest output the motor will reach, but this isn’t the speed it’s rated to run at for hours—if it did, it would burn out. CHP is the speed the motor can sustain under continuous use. A motor rated at 2 CHP is usually more powerful than a motor rated at 2.75 HP.

You should buy a treadmill mat to place under your treadmill. The mat will protect your floor from scuffing and sweat, keep dirt and abrasives away from the underside of the treadmill, and absorb static electricity so it won’t short out your control console.

Folding treadmills are in high demand by people who live in smaller spaces and need to the their home treadmill out of the way when they’re not using it. Choose a fold up treadmill that you can close with one hand and lock securely with a safety lock.

Treadmills aren’t cheap, and many people look for used treadmills to save on the initial cost. This isn’t always a good strategy. Home exercise machines fall into two categories: not used at all, or used hard. You might be able to find a bargain in a used treadmill that someone bought and then didn’t use, but more often, the price reflects the condition of the unit, and you’ll end up paying almost full price but without the benefit of a warranty. A refurbished treadmill is your best bet if you want to save money. These will normally have a short-term warranty of 30 days to make sure nobody made any mistakes during the refurbishment process and sent a defective unit out the door.

Treadmill warranties can be tricky. At the very least, look for a long-term warranty on the motor, at a minimum of 10 years, because this is the most expensive component to replace, and it takes a lot of abuse in daily usage. Not many treadmill companies will warranty the belt because it’s going to need periodic replacement, just like a set of tires. Some stores offer extended warranties for a fee. If you choose to buy one of these, be sure to read the fine print with a critical eye.

Is it possible to find a discount treadmill? Absolutely. In fact, you’re more likely to find treadmills on sale at a specialty fitness equipment shop than at a big-box store, which only discounts one or two models—usually not the one you want. Go shopping for discount treadmills around New Year’s and you’ll find plenty of selection that’s ready for closeout so the next year’s models can be moved in. Many specialty stores will price match your best deal, so don’t be afraid to make an offer.

Before you get too enthusiastic about your treadmill, consider the fact that the concept was invented in England in the 1800s to punish prisoners. Convicts were forced to march on a spinning wheel type of mill for six hours a day as punishment for various crimes.

The best home treadmill is one that gives you the features you need, fits neatly in your home, and is fun to work out on. You’ll find treadmill reviews here so you can choose the model that’s right for you.

A tendon is like a long cord that acts as a go-between for the muscle and the bone. The muscle initiates the movement, and the tendon carries it out.

Inflammation of the tendon usually happens due to friction. You might be wearing contricting equipment like hockey pads or shoes, or more often a sheath of tissue enclosing the tendon starts rubbing on it when the tendon becomes swollen due to strain. The latter situation usually results in a diagnosis like “osteoarthritis,” or “repetitive strain injury” (RSI).

That’s what happened to me last year when I developed De Quervain’s Tendonitis in my right wrist and thumb. It started with a gigantic filing project at work involving stapling several thousand sheets of paper and inserting them into folders. I foolishly didn’t start using an electric stapler until halfway through the project, but it was too late.

The problem accelerated in the spring. I’m a long-distance kayaker, and after three 20-plus outings in the spring, my paddling season was done for the year. I decided that this year was going to be different.

The reason it’s so easy to develop tendon injuries as we get older is that tendons are naturally weaker than muscle. I had asked my hands to do a job that my muscles were up to but my tendons weren’t. The problem is that tendons don’t have a lot of nerve endings, so they couldn’t yell, “ouch, stop hurting me!” The same thing happens to typists, tennis players, carpenters, and just about anyone who works with their hands.

The solution, my doctor told me is exercise. That means putting just enough stress on the tendon to make the cells die and regenerate new ones, but enough to overstress it and make the problem worse. The idea is to make the tendon stronger than the muscles so the muscles will never again overpower the tendon.

My doc said to squeeze rubber balls. I looked at those, and I looked at the grip exercisers that guitarists use to strengthen their hands. But in doing some reading on the internet, I found that some people had made their tendonitis worse by doing these things. I thought it would be best to stay clear of these things.

I finally broke down and bought an NSD Powerball a few days ago. I’ll be documenting my progress with the Powerball here over the next few months as I work on rehabbing my wrist and thumb so I can get back out on the water by spring.