There can be a lot of health complications that may arise as people get older. This fact is considered as a part of a person’s natural aging process because a person’s body tends to get weak as one grows older. Body organs and a person’s body systems digestive, nervous, circulatory, etc. are more prone to illnesses, simply because of the length of time a person lives. At this stage, people should be extra careful on their diet, more aware on their everyday medications, and on their way of living.

Specifically, a common problem among older adults would be experiencing lack of saliva, or dry mouth. Xerostomia, in medical terms, refers to a decrease in the amount of saliva in a person’s mouth. Often ignored, this condition affects the mouth itself by not moistening the mouth as we all normally do. This health condition prevents saliva from continually secreting into our mouth, therefore making it hard to swallow and digest, speak, chew, kiss, make love, even sing. Saliva protects and nourishes a person’s teeth, lips, mouth, and esophagus. Lacking saliva would do damage to these parts, and without adequate saliva to lubricate one’s mouth, wash away food, and neutralize acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can arise. Dry mouth is encountered mostly by older people and mostly women.

Several factors are involved when a person has dry mouth. Certain prescription medications produces dry mouth as a side effect, such as for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, weight loss, allergies, pain, muscle relaxants, urinary incontinence drugs, medications for Parkinson’s disease, and antihistamines. Actually, over a thousand medications can cause dry mouth, and the more drugs a person takes, the more chances of having this kind of condition. Decreased saliva or dry mouth is also associated with a number of psycho logic and medical conditions. A noticeable disease that causes oral dryness would be having Sjogren’s Syndrome, a condition that is characterized by generalized dryness of the salivary and other similar glands. Other diseases that may result in dryness would be AIDS, dehydration, diabetes, and bone marrow transplants. Another cause for dry mouth would be through therapeutic irradiation. This treatment for certain cancers head and neck can include radiation that can damage the salivary glands, and eventually decreasing the production of saliva. Depression also contributes to having a dry mouth. People who are clinically depressed or those who become overly anxious have lower percentage of salivary flow. Other more natural causes would be aging as mentioned earlier and the decrease in a person’s ability to chew.

If dryness is from the intake of certain medications, it would be good to seek advice from the doctor who can possibly change your medication and reduce the dryness. A more simpler solution would be keeping the mouth moist. A person can do this by sipping water or any other sugar-free juices frequently. A person can also stimulate the flow of one’s saliva by eating foods which require mastication, chewing sugarless gum, by using diabetic-type candies, or by sucking on a cherry, olive pit, or the rind of a lemon or lime. Dry mouth should be given attention, and a consultation with a physician is advised when one feels dryness in the mouth.

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Are you aware that nearly 107 million Americans have total cholesterol of 200 mgdL or higher, a level at which cardiovascular risk begins to rise.

Mike Flowers of you-and-your-cholesterol.com states that “High Cholesterol and Triglyceride blood fat can easily be controlled by following a few simple rules and without giving up some of the pleasures you enjoy most!”

Mr. Flowers also added that ten years ago his doctor wanted to place him on medication due to his high cholesterol levels.

“I was totally shocked because I felt fine, and was going to see him for something unrelated.

At that point, I started thinking about my dad and the Quadruple Bypass he had a couple years earlier.

I convinced my doctor to give me 30 days to reduce my Cholesterol, and get it under control. If not, I would be more than happy to start taking the medication.

When I returned to his office 30 days later, he was completely amazed at how low my levels were and told me to continue doing what I was doing.

To be honest with you, I was more amazed than he was. I was thrilled…not expecting such good results.

It has been ten years since that visit, and each time I visit his office for a check up my levels are consistently good!

A lot of people can lower their levels by incorporating the right diet plan, knowing what foods to stay away from, educating themselves on the benefits of natural herbs and having a simple exercise regiment.

Unfortunately for some, no matter what they do – they will not be able to get their levels under control and will have to seek the advice of their medical professional.”

You can get more information on this topic at www.you-and-your-cholesterol.com.

The number of overweight and obese people has continually risen in the United States year after year. And every year or so, a new low-carb diet comes out, or at least, a great new way to shed those stubborn pounds. From the South Beach Diet to the Mediterranean Diet, these new methods of weight loss has increased their popularity among people who want to lose weight. A variety of weight loss pills are on the market that promises to vaporize the fat without any effort on the part of the dieter. These weight loss pills are now widely available in drugstores, supermarkets, and health food stores nationwide. Even fad exercise videos are now everywhere, coming out all the time featuring a new trainer with a headset, an attitude, and a DVD to sell.

Among the plethora of popular diets, one diet plan may be taking weight control to the extreme. Kimkins Diet was introduced in 2007 throughout different forms in media, but it is apparently the original 1972 version of the Atkins Diet. Interest for this diet has begun to circulate in the past few years around a dietary regiment that can shed a pound a day or even more. This particular diet, which is a low carbohydrate, low calories, and low proteinis seen by many to be nothing but anorexia in disguise. According to the Kimkins Diet, it compares itself to other diets such as Atkins and South Beach, saying that these diets make long-term weight loss extremely frustrating. It does not meddle with fiber and sugar alcohol subtraction in order to quickly shed excess pounds. This diet is specifically helpful for those with mobility problems due to morbid obesity or diabetics who do not wish to be tied to their medications, as seen in cases of people classified as Type-2 diabetics.

Kimkins, as a weight loss program, demands near starvation. A dieter using this plan is not supposed to eat more than 500 calories a day, or 20 kilocarbs. The dieter must also skip on as many fatty amino acids and fibers as possible. This diet can end up turning the body against itself to gain the necessary proteins, so body tissue and muscle may be lost instead of the fat. The person who developed the plan, Heidi Diaz, went on for a time with the online alias ‘Kimmer’ to hide her identity. The controversies surrounding her diet are simple. Kimmer has banned paying members from accessing her web page simply because they do not agree with her advice. She has continued to cite a number of adherents to her diet plan who did eat below the recommended cap of 500 calories per day, making her seem more like an eating disorder coach than a dietary professional.

Some experts have come out with warnings about the possible health risks associated with Kimkins Diet including hair loss, heart palpitations and even joint pain. After a number of dieters who followed Kimkins plan went ill, Heidi Diaz was ordered to a California court yesterday. There may be a class action lawsuit taken against her for the detrimental and uneducated medical advice that has harmed many people. A separate investigation is pending for fraud and false advertising. Considering how morbidly obese Heidi Diaz appeared to be in court, contrary to her ads and personal testimonies, it’s no wonder she wanted her identity kept secret for so long.

Anyone should be aware of these diets that does not require exercise. Kimkins continues to be denounced by professionals as an unhealthy, fake, and dangerous alternative to healthy meals and good work outs. Weight loss is never an easy task and it takes dedication to lead a person to proper weight loss.

In nowadays very fast paced world we do not eat a correct diet all of the time. Whenever you lead a busy life and do not acquire adequate vitamins for your body to function properly then you should be compensating with natural vitamin supplements.

Diet nutritional supplements are intended for ingestion in capsule, pill, tablet, liquid, or powder form. They are clearly labeled as &8220;dietary supplements,&8221; and, by law, should not be represented as conventional food. It is not intended for supplanting a proper meal, or be made as a sole item of a diet. In the US, diet nutritional supplements are defined under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 to contain one or more of the following ingredients

Naturally, the most obvious benefit to adopting multi vitamin supplements is convenience. It is far more easily for a person to accept one dosage of a multi vitamin supplement that incorporates each of the needed vitamins compared to adopting each one one by one. This is particularly the case for children as it could be hard for them to accept a large number of vitamin supplements but one dosage of a multi vitamin supplement is far easier.

Vitamins that are water soluble are the easiest to use, as they will pass through the body easily and quickly, and should be taken three times a day. Vitamins that are fat soluble are best absorbed if they are taken with food that contains fat. You should always take vitamins with meals, as the minerals and nutrients found in food will work with the vitamin supplements.

Our organisms require great nutrition in order to function correctly. Our organisms require adequate necessary vitamins to habitually make it through the day and with our daily nutrients intake not supplying each of the necessary nutrients the need for a vitamin supplement has never been bigger.

To make the decision simpler there are now a many of multi vitamin supplements produced for unique people. For instance, there are multi vitamin supplements that are designed for children. These multi vitamin supplements holds the unique nutrients that children need for them to grow and acquire properly. Pregnant women have singular nutrient necessities to assure that their baby encounters the essential nutrients and there are multi vitamin supplements prepared for pregnant women.

Vitamin supplements are available in a number of different forms, including capsules, tabs, liquids, and even chewable tabs. Also, there is a big variety in the brands and the real content of the vitamin supplements.Do some research and find out what these vitamin supplements carries. Pay attention to doses, ingredients, safety precautions, and other authorative information.Buy the correct supplement for you, and when in doubt, consult a physician or your health professional prior to taking any vitamin supplements.

You should also refrain from buying nutritional supplements that contain additives such as sugar, starch, gluten, silica, and artificial flavors or colors. Supplements from GMP-compliant manufacturers are free of such additives.

Recent studies came up with a statistical figure that approximately fifty-eight million men and women are overweight; roughly forty million are obese; and around three million are morbidly obese. Another study said that eight out of ten adults over twenty-five are overweight.

Being overweight and obese has been an on-going concern for a lot of adults. Surveys say that the population of obese people has increased drastically in the United States alone, and that cases of obesity-related health risks have grown at an alarming rate.

Contributing factors
A variety of factors play a contributory role in obesity, and these are
1.Energy imbalance. This occurs when the amount of calories consumed does not amount to the amount of calories used or burned.
2.Calorie consumption. The availability of a lot of pre-packaged foods, fast food restaurants, and soft drinks which are generally high in fat, sugar, and calories contributes to an excessive calorie intake.
3.Calorie usage. People are becoming more and more sedentary, and the lack of physical activity is causing the excess calorie to become stored fat.
4.Environment. People spending too much time inside the house in front of the television may find it less enticing to go out for a walk or engage in any sporty activities.
5.Genetics. Genes play a part in passing on disorders that may cause obesity.
6.Diseases. Illnesses like Cushings disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome may cause obesity.
7.Medications. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause significant weight gain.

ComplicationsRisk factors
Obesity isnt just a simple concern for ones appearance, it causes a multitude of health dilemma that can be harmful to the health. Among these complications are Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and pickwickian syndrome.

Weight loss
Now that youve learned of the repercussions of being overweight and obese, its time to consider shedding off some pounds. Here are some ways to lose weight

Diet. Watch what you eat. This doesnt mean you have to starve yourself or count how much you eat. A balanced diet makes sure that your body is nourished with the necessary nutrients needed for the day.
Exercise. Integrating a simple exercise routine for an hour or two everyday may prove helpful to burn off calories you ate. This may be as simple as walking a block or two, doing a set or two of sit-ups, or performing basic stretching exercises.
Surgery. Weight loss surgery is performed only for severe obesity cases where diet and exercise has very little effect. This is advised for people suffering from serious obesity-related health concerns. The operation aides in weight loss by restricting food intake and, in other operations, interrupt the digestive process.

Living with obesity is difficult. Much more if youre living with its complications. Keep in mind that you dont have to stay obese. Stand up and take action. Rid yourself of this heavy burden and work your way out to a slimmer, healthier you. Take comfort in knowing that you have the power to save yourself from obesity.

Doing what you can now will reduce the chances of having a heart attack and increase your life which should be every ones goal.

Fuel for the Body
The human body needs food to fuel us thru our busy days. Our bodies turn the food we eat into energy we need to keep our body functioning properly. Fried and fatty foods are bad for the body and gum up the works. These types of foods help build blockage in the arteries that deliver the vital supply of blood to and from the heart, and when one of them clogs you have a heart attack. Try switching your diet to broiled fish and chicken, with lots of steamed or raw vegetables. These foods are full of needed nutrients and will help keep your arteries clean and your heart strong.

Keeping the Body Strong
It is not enough just to put good fuel in the body you must also take good care of the body. It is important to workout at least 3 to 4 hours a week. Working out means breaking a sweat and raising your pulse rate, the way to figure out what your working out heart rate should be is simple subtract your age from 220. This means a 35 year old should raise their heart rate to 185 for a workout to be most effective. If you find that you can not hold a normal conversation during your workout you are pushing too fast and should slow down, huffing and puffing means your body is not getting enough oxygen, as you work out more you will find yourself able to push harder and faster. Tog et a good workout you do not need to join an expensive gym. Gyms offer aerobics classes weight training and bikes and treadmills for cardio workouts, but you can get just the same workout with a workout DVD and a fast paced walk two or three times a week.

Screwing up the Works
Smoking, drinking and getting high, does nothing good for the body. Medical scientists are studying what if any are the benefits of Marijuana, but one thing they have already agreed on is that smoking Marijuana is worse for you because of the smoke then any benefits that the drug may offer. Smoking puts a chemical into the body that makes blood clotting more common then in someone who does not smoke, add that to poor eating habits and you have an environment that is good for a heart attack. Then take into account that some drugs like cocaine make your heart race for long periods of time. This weakens and shortens the life span of your heart and after long term use can leave you stuck in bed hooked up to machines or stuck in a wheelchair. Drinking Alcohol may be the worst of them all it not only raises the chance of heart disease it hardens your arteries and kills your liver and even your kidneys.

If you want to live long enough to enjoy your golden years you have to start doing something about it now. Many people will say that 60 yeas ago people ate much worse then we do now, but my reply would be that those people also did more physical labor then we do today.

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Landice has an excellent reputation for building quality treadmills. These are not your mass merchant specials with 90 day parts and labor warranties. In fact, Landice offers a lifetime warranty on their treadmills, which says something about their durability.

Landice has been selling treadmills for a number of years. Their focus is to build sturdy treadmills with the best components available. The result is machines that are built to last and are capable of taking a beating. Of course, that comes at a price. Their least expensive treadmill starts at 3,100, and their commercial grade models top off at 5,000. Lets just say, you dont want these treadmills to end up as clothes racks.

So what do you get for your money?

As mentioned, Landice utilizes the best components available for treadmills. For example, they equip their machines with 3.0 hp continuous duty Baldor motors. These motors are monsters in comparison to most treadmill motors. There are a number of companies that claim their treadmills have 3.0 hp motors, but if you were to compare them to the Baldor motor there would be a noticeable difference in the size. This powerful motor assures that the treadmill will run at even the highest speeds without straining.

Landice uses a 4-ply treadbelt, the majority of competitors use 2-ply. Although costing significantly more, this 4-ply belt provides twice the strength of a 2-ply belt. It also adds additional cushioning to reduce impact.

Another quality component that Landice installs are 2.5 rollers. These are the same rollers used in the best commercial treadmills. The larger the roller diameter the less tension required on the treadbelt, since the roller has more surface area to grab the belt. Decreased tension means decreased friction and longer life on belts, motor, bearings and the rollers themselves.

As you can see these treadmills are built to institutional standards, in fact Landice has over 20,000 treadmills placed in health clubs around the world. And unlike every other fitness manufacturer that builds treadmills, Landice only produces treadmills. They are not also building, elliptical trainers, strength machines and stationary bicycles. Their focus is solely treadmills.

Who should buy a Landice treadmill?

Individuals who are going to abuse a treadmill. Were talking serious runners, including competitors and marathon runners. These treadmills are ideal for people who push their equipment to the limit.

Landice Receives Best Buy Recommendations

In the past Landice has received a top pick from one of the most popular consumer rating magazine. Landice has also received a number of Best Buy ratings. Treadmill Doctor states, “An incredibly solid treadmill. Some cheaper treadmills may be better for some people but if you’re serious, this is a serious machine.”

Mens Fitness Magazine had these comments on the Landice L7 Executive Trainer If you want the best – and can afford it – the L7 is the bad boy.

If you want a treadmill that can withstand strenuous use, then you should consider Landice. They are built to last and may just out last you.

We live in a society obsessed with losing weight and getting fit. In response there are countless products on the market that claim to get you in shape. Most are fads that come and go. For example, how many people are still working out with a Thigh Master. But, occasionally an exercise machine is designed that gets results. It promotes fitness and wellness. It helps both novice and fitness enthusiasts reach their exercise goals. It has ‘staying’ power!

The two most popular fitness machines that fit this qualification are treadmills and elliptical trainers. The tried and true treadmill has been around for years. It remains popular due to its appeal to both novice and seasoned athletes. It is a simple machine that requires no special skills, all you need to do is walk, jog or run.

Although relatively new in comparison to a treadmill, the elliptical trainer is growing in popularity. In shear numbers the treadmill outsells ellipticals, but by percentage the elliptical is gaining in sales. It offers the benefit of a total body workout without the impact.

How do treadmills compare with elliptical training equipment? What benefits do each machine offer? Could either be right for you?

Treadmills

Treadmills are the most popular fitness equipment. They are simple to use and provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. Treadmills allow you to walk, jog or run. In addition, they can simulate hill climbing.

In shear numbers running and walking are the most popular form of exercise. Whether you are a casual walker or a serious runner, a treadmill can accommodate your exercise needs. By setting the speed and incline you can adjust your cardio workout to any level from casual walking to heart pounding running.

Most power treadmills offer a number of pre-set programs and intensity levels from which to choose. On these particular machines, you may program in your personal information i.e. age, weight, height, fitness level, etc.. Then, you may choose a pre-set program such as ‘killer hill,’ interval training or ‘weight-loss’, and the unit will automatically adjust the workout to fit your specifications.

You can bypass the pre-set programs and manually adjust the incline, speed, and the time yourself. And, even if you’ve chosen a pre-set program, you have the option of changing the incline level or speed level at any time.

Running on a treadmill with a nicely cushioned running surface provides less impact on the knees, shins, ankles, back, and joints than does running on pavement. As a result, the runner who uses a treadmill is less likely to sustain a running injury than a runner who runs upon a harder surface. Nonetheless, a runner’s body will still experience impact when the foot lands on the belt.

Outdoors, you could possibly trip over a rock or twist your ankle in an unseen hole in the ground. You don’t have to worry about unseen road or trail hazards when exercising on a treadmill. You need only maintain your rhythm on the moving belt.

Treadmills not only efficiently burn calories, but their impact reducing surfaces decrease the chances for injuries.

Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers are relatively new to the fitness equipment industry. They have increased in popularity during the last few years, and the rate of growth is surpassing treadmills. But, do they deliver what they promise a low impact, total body workout?

Elliptical trainers allow the user to burn a similar number of calories as they would from walking or jogging – but without the risk of injury to the back, knees, hips, or ankles. The difference in comparison to a treadmill is your feet never leave the foot pedals.

As a result, an elliptical is very low-impact and significantly reduces the pressure on your joints. In fact, whereas exercising on a treadmill requires your body to absorb the impact of walking or running, exercising on an elliptical can be compared to running in midair. Running can result in 2.5x your body weight impacting a treadmill.

Because of the low impact quality of an elliptical trainer, this machine may be the best choice for older people or individuals who are recovering from injuries. That is the obvious reason ellipticals are so popular with us baby boomers. Our joints are starting to tell us theyve had enough.

Elliptical machines mimic the normal elliptical motion of the foot, the extension of the leg, and the rotation of the hip during walking or running. This motion uses all the leg muscles, giving you a total lower-body workout.

But what makes an elliptical workout so enticing is you also get a upper body workout unlike the treadmill, which works only the lower body! As the feet go through their elliptical motion, the hands grip the moving handlebars, exercising the arms. The movement of the dual handlebars mimics cross-country skiing. This particular type of upper body workout will not result in a bodybuilders physique. However, because you are including the upper 30 of your body in your workouts, the results will be more efficient exercise in less time.

Because elliptical trainers DO work the upper and lower body simultaneously, the heart rate climbs more quickly. Thus, less time is required to achieve more results. The amount of energy expended is optimized. As the legs are being worked, the back, shoulders, chest, biceps, and triceps are also working…making it possible to burn more calories in less time. An optimal workout need only be about 20-30 minutes long, if you apply the right amount of resistance.

Another advantage of elliptical trainers are the foot pedals can be worked in a forward or reverse direction. When you change the direction of the pedals, you’ll target your lower body in different ways. It is nice to be able to add versatility to your elliptical workouts, and such a change works to ensure optimal training of the leg muscles.

The intensity level can be adjusted on elliptical equipment to fit your personal level of fitness. Resistance may be added as desired to increase the workload on your legs throughout the forward or backward stride. With such an efficient workout, you can say ‘goodbye’ to flabby thighs and derrieres!

Studies show working out on an elliptical trainer can trick the body into believing it is working easier than it actually is. Therefore, as you’re burning more calories in less time on an elliptical trainer, your body feels as though it doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve its goals. This phenomenon is known as the “Rate of Perceived Exertion.”

An elliptical device is safe to use i.e. it stops when you stop. It uses very little electricity and is economical to operate. Because of its low impact, there is less wear and tear of the machine, making maintenance quite low. It has a small footprint, so it takes up less floor space than other fitness equipment. And, as with the treadmill, it allows you to exercise in a controlled environment for more comfort and convenience.

And the Winner Is!

Which is better, a treadmill or elliptical trainer? Both give an excellent cardio workout and when used regularly will burn unwanted calories.

For a walking or running devotee, the treadmill is the machine of choice. Even if you prefer the great outdoors, the treadmill allows you to continue your favorite sport all year long and in the most inclement weather. A treadmill will reduce injuries since you workout on a flat surface that is cushioned. It can add variety to your workout through various challenging programs. And with heart rate control you can optimize your exercising by allowing your heart rate to control the level of exertion.

The appeal of an elliptical is the combined upper and lower body workout, and the low-impact. You exercise more muscle groups, while avoiding the kind of impact that can result in injuries. For those of us whose knees or ankles just cant take it any longer, the elliptical trainer is the obvious choice.

So which one do you choose? Depending upon your preference and needs either can be an excellent choice.

Have you ever noticed how many treadmills are being sold at a discount prices? Of course, that is part of commercialism. For example, when was the last time you paid list price for a car or jewelry?

What motivated me to write this article is the fact that Discount Treadmill is a very popular search term. People are looking to get the best deal possible when they purchase a treadmill. That makes sense, since even a moderate priced treadmill can run from 1,000 – 2,000.

So how do you tell when a treadmill is being sold at a discount?

First, by comparative shopping. You find a particular model that satisfies your needs and you shop around. Depending on the quality of the treadmill, you compare prices at the various mass retailers, large sporting goods stores, specialty fitness stores and online.

In addition, you look for special offers like free shipping, added accessories and extended warranties. Regarding shipping, some businesses may drop off a treadmill on your curve, while others will bring it into your house, set it up and remove the packaging. Considering the weight of some models, that can add considerable value.

Discounts from Buying Online

More and more people are going online to purchase a treadmill. Are they really saving money? Yes and no. Yes, you can save money from not having to pay sales tax if you purchase from a business that is not located in your state. You can also find discounts online that are better deals than you would find in retail stores. Also, several manufacturers sell direct on the Internet, thus cutting out the middleman.

In contrast the large sporting goods stores generally sell for the same price online as they do in their store. Furthermore, many treadmill manufacturers set a minimum price that any and all dealers cannot go under, regardless whether they sell online and off.

Discount Prices vs MSRP

Regarding the manufacturers suggested retail price, that is a number that has nothing to do with reality. It is deliberately inflated in an attempt to make the real selling price less intimidating. Both manufacturers and retailers play serious games with their prices.

For example, one online retailer that sells private labeled treadmills lists the MSRP at double the real selling price. They attempt to suggest you are saving as much as 50. But in realty their private label treadmill is sold for the same price as the manufacturers models. Another popular treadmill sold online promotes discounts at 15-40 off.

With all this slight of hand with prices how do you determine the real value?

First, you decide how you are going to use the treadmill, and determine what features would satisfy your fitness goals. For example, if you plan to use the treadmill for walking and want the machine to last for more than 90 days, you want certain minimal features. If you plan to use it for running, than you need upgraded features. Here are some of the features you want to compare

Motor size
Deck size
Roller size
Electronics
Console
Programs

In addition, you want to compare the warranties. The warranty says a lot about the overall quality of the machine and the components. You also want to research the reputation of the manufacturer. You want to buy from a company that is synonymous with quality. You also want to do business with a company that stands behind their treadmills.

When buying a treadmill do not get caught up in marketing hype of discount prices. Instead look for the best value in your price range.

Although Smooth Fitness has been selling elliptical trainers for a number of years, it is only recently that they manufactured their own models. In the past they private labeled machines from companies like Kettler. In fact, their popular Smooth CE is a Kettler built elliptical, which they have sold literally thousand.

They recently introduced three new models, the CE 2.1, CE 3.2 and CE 74, which are built at the same Taiwanese plant as their treadmills. The Smooth CE elliptical can attribute its popularity to being a solid and reliable machine. It has a very good service record. It is build with a 40 lb. flywheel and an eddy brake system. Both contribute to a fluid and smooth motion, which is what you want in an elliptical trainer.

The new Smooth ellipticals utilize the best qualities of the CE elliptical. In addition, they have improved on several important features. For example, the new models are equipped with pivotal foot pedals. The major benefit of an elliptical trainer is the low impact. The pivotal foot pedal further reduces strain and impact by aligning your feet with the elliptical motion.

Each new model has an upgraded console and display over the older CE. The programs are a vast improvement, and provide challenging workouts. They include an Interval program that combines higher intensity routines with alternative cool downs.

Smooth offers the advantage of selling direct and only on the Internet. They are the only fitness equipment company that sells solely online. This offers two benefits. In general, you are getting a better value. You also are dealing with a company that specializes in online sales, fulfillment and service.

Regarding the discount value, obviously there is a savings when a company does not incur retail costs and the overhead from commissioned sales staff. But dont get caught up with the exaggerated mark downs on their web site. Because you are buying direct you are probably saving about 5-10, not the 30 percentage they suggest. But you also save money from not having to pay a state sales tax Exc. PA. When compared to buying in a fitness specialty store, the savings can be substantial.

If you are considering purchasing an elliptical trainer we suggest you spend a minimum of 1,000. Anything less will potentially have some service issues if used on a regular basis. The Smooth ellipticals offer a good value at the 1,000 – 2,000 price range.