Is the Cybex Arc Trainer an effective cardio machine?
957536
I am assuming that the "500 calories" you said you are burning are based on what the machine displays.  This may not always be the most accurate assessment.  I would pay more attention to your heart rate, which will be a better indicator of whether you are in your aerobic fat-burning zone or not.  This can be ROUGHLY calculated by 220 minus your age (your predicted max heart rate) multiplied by the workout intensity (usually a pretty tough workout is 75% to 80%.) eg. if you are 30 years old, 220 - 30 = 190 x .75 = 142 heart rate.  Keeping your heart rate in this age will burn fat and, of course calories.
388899
Bowflex is a good well rounded machine.  It's good for circuit training, but if you want a little more cardio and some variety, you should go to a gym where it's social and they have classes and treadmills, exercise bikes, etc...
673452
I tried one from GNC a while ago. All it did was make my heart beat super fast. It was terrible. I'd suggest if you need to lose weight to try Weight Watchers. I'm on it right now and I've lost 50 pounds. It's the only way I've been able to lose weight. Good luck! :)
756359
I've had a trainer for about a month, and it's done wonders for the way I see my body.  I haven't really been dieting as I should, so my goals haven't been accomplished, as of yet, but I would definitely recomend a trainer- even if it's only for a few sessions to get you started on how to use machines and what's best for your body.
932584
It sure is. Anything that increases your heart-rate is considered a good cardio workout. Just remember that a cardio workout should be no less than 20 minutes.
575654
It all depends on you. Everybody has his or her opinions about many different exercising equipment. I for one just like the plain old exercising.
1104880
If you don't use it, it is.  You have to like weight-lifting type exercises.\nI love mine.
89396
I guess it depends on what you need.  Do you mean for weight training or aerobic?  I find treadmills, exercise bicycles, and steppers quite good and safe.  \n\nIn terms of weight training I use free weights so I am not that familiar with the different machines, but my friends swear by BowFlex.\n\nI would suggest you do some internet research, look around some gyms in your area, viist sports equipment stores, and ask lots of questions at the gyms and stores.  Your local library probably has books that might help you.
554607
Elliptical trainers are great because they don't feel so difficult as treadmills.  I do think, however, that the readouts for calories burned tend to be overly generous or high.  It might tell you that you burned 450 calories in 40 minutes, but I don't think that anyone really burns that many!\n\nI would work out for 30-40 minutes (including cool down and warm up) - pick one of the preset programs that incorporate some "hills."  Don't lean on the machine or rest your upper body while you work out - it's a common mistake.  Instead, try to pump your arms freestyle or pump with the skiing handblebars if they come on your machine.\n\nA few years ago, I lost about 10 pounds in about 9 months (I wasn't dieting at all), and I only used the elliptical at my gym.  If you work out 5 times a week, I think it's a very effective way to melt some fat and improve your cardio system!
1030525
I work in a clinic that has a DRX9000. I have also been treated using the DRX9000. My take on the DRX9000 is that it is a very good tool to help treat disc injuries. But, it is just a tool. These machines are becoming quite popular, and rightfully so. However, opening a clinic and buying the machine does not make you an expert at treating back pain. If you are a twenty something in good physical shape with no previous episodes of back pain and have a single disc herniation, then the DRX9000 will probably work great as the only treatment necessary. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case...at least in the patients I see. Most patients have had bad pain for months or years. These patients develop chronic muscle imbalances in the pelvis, sacro-illiac problems, and even secondary neck pain and stiffness. Our clinic integrates MD's, PTs, and DCs to treat these conditions in addition to the DRX machine. \n\nThe bottom line is that when used appropriately in combination with other appropriate treatments, the DRX9000 is very effective. I was treated for a disc herniation at C5. It has been two years since I was last treated and have had no return of symptoms. \n\nI think calling the DRX9000 glorified traction is a bit on the ignorant side, no offense to Mr Answers.  But, the problem with traction is that it actually causes an increase in interdiscal pressures.  This is because there is counter pressure from the muscles attaching to the spine to resist the traction forces being applied.  Look at the research, its there.  Because the DRX uses a logarithmic ramp up to acheive the maximum pulling force, the muscles do not contract to resist the force being applied.  Therefore, a true negative interdiscal pressure is attained at the level being treated.  I can tell you that I was very skeptical the first time I heard about the machine.  But like I said, when you iuse it in combination with other appropriate treatments, it is very effective.  We operate five clinics in the midwest, and have treated 35,000 patients in the last three years.  It works!
709174
Treadclimbers and stairclimbers should give similar results to a treadmill.  Ellipticals are still the exercise equipment of choice, due to their low impact cardio workout and upper body toning.  I've only heard of users hurting their ankles on ellipticals that don't have pivoting foot pads.  Rowers are also excellent since they provide a no impact cardio workout, while giving you upper body toning.  Exercise bikes are also a consideration, but you won't have any upper body toning.
913434
wow this is great..the goal for most people is 30 minutes of cardio activity everyday...so add a minute everyday for a week or so and you'll be there...heart rate shouldn't go much higher...don't know about road speed..use a stationary bike myself...but 13 mph seems as if it would be pretty darned good...good weight for your age...mix it up with other types of cardio so you don't burn out or get bored...
237451
Hi! I have one of these. It is a little weird at first. I thought I was going to kill myself on it! However, with very little time you can get the hang of it.\nIt is a pretty good workout but isn't that intense. \nI prefer a treadmill.
1072376
My wife uses it. About 2 pounds a month she is loosing. Does less than 5 minutes a day.
439146
any type of cardio would be helpful, so the orbitrek could be helpful. it's easy on the knees, so that's good. the important thing is whether you would use it on a regular basis.
1020799
I have bad knees from many years of playing tennis primarily on hard courts, and so running for me is not really an option.  I absolutely love using the elliptical machine because you get the cardio benefit without the impact on your joints.  Also, you do get more of a total body workout based on having to use your arms as well as your legs.
591703
That device is bull sh**.\nUse your brains, how can a machine be working and a human be losing fat.\nAnd if that machine worked then there would not be any gyms in the world. Instead of going to gyms, people would wear the belt all day and become fit.