Elliptical Trainer Console and Programs

Elliptical Consoles

You find that elliptical trainer consoles have many of the same functions as treadmill consoles, but due to structural design, an elliptical console is generally smaller. That means that the layout needs to be more efficient in providing you with the programming selections and the feedback displays. Treadmill consoles with have numerous windows, providing simultaneous feedback. With ellipticals many of the functions will be combined to reduce the required space.

Typically ellipticals display the major feedback like speed, time, calories, resistance level and time. With the budget models the information is displayed in a very simple and basic fashion. With more expensive models you will get more sophisticated information, providing a variety of feedback, monitoring and guidance.

With a console you want controls and buttons that are easy to reach. You want a display that is easy to read and interpret. The displays are either LCD or LED. The LED display is found on more expensive units, and has enhanced quality with higher resolution. Often the console will run off of batteries.

A consideration when purchasing an elliptical is the console amenities, like water bottle holder and reading rack. Having easy accessibility to your water and being able to read can be very desirable.

Elliptical Trainer Programs

Most elliptical trainers offer some type of programming. For many, programming can be important in providing motivation by keeping your routines fresh, varied and challenging. Rather than cranking through the same old workout routine, programs offer the benefits of variety. Programs allow you to compete against your self in reaching new benchmarks and fitness goals. They can achieve faster results and sustain your motivation by providing a point of reference as well as a goal.

In addition to the manual settings, most machines come with pre-programmed workouts. Examples are target time, target distance, target calories, fat burn, hill climbing, interval and endurance. If the machine is equipped with heart rate control, you will have one or two programs that work off your heart rate.

Many of the programs vary the intensity of the workout by changing the level of resistance and thus your heart rate. This type of "Interval" training has proven to optimize your workout by getting more results in less time. Here is a description of an "Interval" program found on the Smooth CE 3.1 elliptical:

More expensive units will offer the ability to input your own program, and store your user preferences. You are also able to store more than one user info.

All of these programming options are like having your ow