Cardio machines get a push

Often, the programmes are born out of a trainer or instructor8217;s own personal ennui:

That8217;s how it was for Los Angeles-based personal trainer Erik Flowers, co-owner of Body Builders Gym and creator of a new interval workout on the current 8220;it8221; machine, the elliptical trainer. 8220;I was working out at home and I thought, 8216;I8217;m not even paying attention to what I8217;m doing, I8217;m not sweating anymore. 8230; There8217;s got to be more to this machine,8217;8217;8217; Flowers recalls.

He began experimenting, eventually coming up with ElliptiSize, which uses a combination of speeds, resistance levels and positions, such as squatting and lifting up on the toes. Beginners can progress in stamina, strength and balance.

Amy Dixon, group fitness manager for Equinox in Santa Monica, is another who8217;s retooled workouts for classic gym machines. She teaches Shreadmill, a treadmill-based group exercise class inspired by her high school track team days: walking lunges, walking with knees up, walking on toes, or backward or sideways, with various combinations of speed and incline8212;and sometimes with eyes closed.

Brooke Siler, Pilates instructor and owner of re:AB fitness studios in New York, has reformatted gym machine workouts using cardio machine moves she practised on her own for years. When she did them, 8220;my biceps were popping, my shoulders were more developed, and I realised I could use the equipment to sculpt my body8217;8217;.

Such new twists on old equipment are gaining fans. Though trainers and teachers and some students might be enthusiastic about these boosted cardio workouts, experts wonder how far they can go. Research has shown walking backward and sideways burns more calories because it requires more oxygen, says Henry Williford, director of the Human Performance Lab at Auburn University in Alabama.

But combining cardio with strength training might not improve calorie burn or cardio benefits. Adding bands or weights could 8220;affect your normal activity and you could even burn fewer calories because it8217;s going to make you slow down,8217;8217; he says. An elevated heart rate isn8217;t always proof of added benefit, he adds: More detailed metabolic tests must be run.

Manufacturers are aware of how their machines are being modified. 8220;We realise it8217;s a trend,8217;8217; says Greg Bahnfleth of Life Fitness, an exercise equipment-maker. In fact, observing gymgoers and listening to trainers has caused the company to add new programming to the machines.

8220;We8217;ll definitely continue to explore ideas,8217;8217; says Susan Bell, director of commercial marketing for Washington-based Precor Inc., which manufactures ellipticals, treadmills and bikes. 8220;We love to learn how people are using the machines.8217;8217;

8212;Los Angeles Times / Jeannine Stein