Efficient, “express” exercise, preferably within 30 minutes, is winning throngs of converts as today’s increasingly time-crunched individuals struggle to fit everything into each day. Now, it’s all about getting in and out of the gym quickly.
Nevertheless, exercisers’ goals haven’t changed, with most wanting to lose or maintain their weight, reduce their risk of disease and look their best. These are tall orders to achieve in just 30 minutes but can be accomplished with a proper routine, the most appropriate equipment and consistent effort. Maximizing results in limited time.
Currently, most express workouts consist of resistance training stations that alternate with cardiovascular segments that exercisers perform in a circuit to work strength and cardiovascular endurance. While resistance training machines generally are able to tax exercisers effectively during a short 30- to 60- second interval, cardiovascular options sometimes aren’t as useful, relegated to a simple platform where people walk or jog in place. This produces inadequate heart rate. Not only can it be challenging for exercisers to keep their heart rate elevated, but the high-impact nature required when using platforms can be intolerable for some, especially when overweight.
A much more effective cardiovascular solution is a total-body vertical trainer, which has been designed to meet the needs of every level exerciser. In fact, there are models available specifically designed for “express” or “circuit” type training environments.
Some models feature a reduced step height of 10 inches to effectively decrease the workload by 50 percent, better replicate total-body stair stepping and enable beginners to reap the significant benefits of total-body vertical training.
In addition, these machines offer 27 inches of travel on the upper body for increased range of motion, padded side hand rails for lower-body stepping routines only and an optional seat to facilitate non-weightbearing exercise.
Plus, exercisers can just get on and go quickly, which is critical in timed intervals, with the benefit of a new interactive voice module that provides simple instructions and valuable motivational feedback-like “Keep going at this speed” and “Don’t go too fast.”
And today’s vertical trainers function as two machines in one, a lower-body stepper and a total-body climber, to provide important variety. They also fit neatly into tight quarters, since they can require as little as 3.5 by 4 feet (half that of a treadmill or elliptical), which is important in circuit set-ups and clearly gives them an advantage over more bulky cardiovascular machines.
Why vertical trainers?
Facility owners who offer express workouts can see their participation increase, their members more satisfied with results and their revenues climb by replacing ineffective “cardiovascular” platforms with versatile equipment like a total-body vertical trainer, which offers countless benefits:
1. Unmatched effectiveness.
• Provides total-body, fluid exercise to actively engage more muscle groups for better conditioning and caloric expenditure-but without harmful, jarring impact
• Facilitates weight-bearing vertical training against gravity
• Research shows that using a total-body vertical trainer elevates heart rate faster and burns more calories in as little as 30 seconds compared to elliptical machines and stairclimbers
2. Significant versatility.
• Offers a wide range of step heights-from 1 inches to 20 inches-to accommodate beginning exercisers through high performance athletes
• Can be used as a lower-body stepper, total-body climber or while seated to work the arms only or just legs only
• Simple to use in unsupervised situations with interactive voice module directing exercisers, who can quickly get on and go
3. Operational advantages.
• Incredibly space efficient-only 3.5 by 4 feet required
• Cost-effective
• Highly durable
Total-body vertical trainers undoubtedly are an ideal addition to jump-start circuit, express routines.
Brett Collins is the Sales and Marketing Manager of VersaClimber. He can be contacted at 800.237.2271, or by email atbcollins@heartrateinc.com.
