"The Eclipse" is a low impact elliptical cross trainer for muscle toning and cardiovascular exercise. It has an onboard computer which provides feedback on speed, distance, time, calories burned, odometer and pulse. Also included is a hand pulse sensor to track your heart rate. A number of different Eclipse machines are offered ranging from $350 to $600, depending on the bells and whistles you desire.
Home exercise machines like The Eclipse are good because they are convenient and perhaps less expensive in the long-term if you don't mind paying a lot upfront. You avoid a commute to a health club and the potential embarrassment of working out in front of others when you are overweight and out of shape.
Home exercise machines are bad because they are expensive and offer less options than a health club. Your local health club will have personal trainers, free weights, a variety of cardio-machines, aerobics classes, and possibly a pool or a basketball court. The Eclipse may protect you from embarrassment, but that pressure can be a powerful factor in maintaining your motivation.
The biggest problem with home exercise machines like The Eclipse as well as health club-style workouts in general is that they are pure exercise. Most people lose their motivation in time, especially when the exercise is as mundane as standing in one place and eliptically jogging. For weight loss and general fitness we are much bigger fans of lifestyle exercise activities such as tennis, hiking, walking, cycling, dancing, climbing, etcetera... These are the type of activities that you don't think of as exercise and sustain themselves in the long-term. Add a basic food program or one of the simple and inexpensive online programs for structure and support, and you have the best possible option for success.
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