by Vicky Waite
What would you think about a piece of exercise equipment that is smooth riding, can be used by all ages and can be used by healthy people and people with health problems? Sound too good to be true? Well, I’ve been hearing about the NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainer for years now. So I decided to do a little investigating to find out what all the hype is about!
The NuStep Cross Trainer works great with varying levels of fitness—from the lowest to highest. But being interested in more than just hype about the NuStep, I decided to make some calls. And I thought, what better a place to contact than a cardiac Rehab at one of the local hospitals. So, that is exactly what I did. I talked with David Martens, MS, CES, and clinical manager of the Cardiac Rehab at Doylestown Hospital. David said, “The new models, T4 and T5, now out, are the easiest to use and follow that are out there. The NuStep machine has worked very well for a lot of our patients with orthopedic limitations. It is less stressful to their joints.”
I decided to go to hit the YMCA in Doylestown to try one out. Nicole, who was very pleasant and helpful, greeted me. She showed me how the entire unit worked. It had a great smooth feel to it as I started to pedal. I was quite surprised at how easy it flowed with very little stress on the knees. The user is in a seated position while moving legs and arms in a back and forth motion. The seat is cushioned and comfortable. It swivels 180 degrees making it easy to use.
There are three different models of the NuStep. All three burn calories, build strength and improve cardiovascular fitness while minimizing joint stress and lower back pain. As the population ages and people acquire repetitive stress injuries and arthritis, the NuStep may be something to look into. I’d say it’s worth the investment. Especially for those who want to continue to work out and not cause further damage to their joints while still getting a nice aerobic workout.
The NuStep has taken off so well for Rehabs and gyms that it is now being sold to the consumer for home use. The unit is a bit pricey, but just like all other exercise equipment out on the market today, it’s a good chance that it will begin to come down in price as more competition develops.
The contemporary design and narrow profile make the NuStep ideal for any home setting. And it’s available with a wide range of accessories. They include leg stabilizers, handles and polar heart rate transmitter belts. It is available in several models with different features. I feel that the T4 is adequate for those that don’t need all the added accessories and still want a good workout.
The NuStep is worth looking into for that one piece of equipment to keep you in shape. At any age, I put it high on my list. And remember to always contact your physician when considering any exercise program. For more information, go to www.nustep.com.