The Cold Weather and Your Metabolism. Unlike the other three seasons, there will be fewer sunny days during December. What happens to your body is that its metabolism would also slow down during the cold weathers. That means that your calories will be used up in minimal amounts. You need to burn them by exercising. It can be possible to do without any home fitness equipment yet exercising with the use of one will also be great. Also, treating yourself to something that could contribute to your health – like home fitness equipment – is never a bad idea at all.
Too Much Food to Eat and Time for Sleep. Since December also implies that you will have more time at home for eating and sleeping, you have a big chance of gaining weight. Having your own fitness equipment could be a good leverage. When you have one at your place, you can still continue the exercise routines that you do at the gym during regular days. Be sure to utilize it well or else it would just be a waste of space in your home. Don’t purchase it for the sake of buying one alone.

Holiday Price Cut-Downs. One thing that people love about the holidays is the discounted price of their favorite items. A department store or a retail store may launch clearance sales or holiday promos that would also mean huge cut-offs on the retail prices of almost anything on their racks – including home fitness equipment. This is a good time to shop for the things that are too expensive to purchase on the other months of the year. This is also a perfect time to take advantage of the lower prices of the items that you are planning to buy.

These are just some of the many reasons why this season is the perfect time to get your own exercise equipment. Aside from treating yourself to shopping for something you wanted for so long, you can also prevent gaining weight in the time of the year where food is so abundant. Whether you want to stay lean or you want to lay off several pounds during the holidays, getting your own home fitness equipment can be a good way to fulfill your goal.

Heart Smart Fitness provides equipment reviews, information and a discount store. Let our expert advice on fitness and equipment reviews help you create the perfect home gym but without all the huge costs. We have the exclusive reviews on all your favorite brands and models to help you get in shape, get healthy and look great.

There is still time to get a great deal on top-rated fitness equipment before the holidays. Click on the links below and save a bundle.

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There are a number of factors that makes the Sole E35 elliptical trainer a "Best Buy" value, but the most impressive is the warranty. For $1,300 (Includes Shipping) you get an elliptical with a 5-year parts and 2-year labor warranty. This is double the labor coverage you will get on a Precor, which cost 3x as much.

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Warranties are an excellent indicator of the quality of a machine. It's logical if a company backs up their elliptical trainers with a strong warranty, the machine must be built to last. Otherwise they would go broke with constant service calls. That's why many of the Icon built ellipticals (ProForm, Image, Weslo, Reebok) only have a 90-day warranty. They tend to breakdown with moderate use.
I tested the Sole E35 when I was at their corporate offices, and for a mid-priced elliptical it has a very smooth elliptical motion. That is partially due to the heavy-duty 25 lb flywheel. And for a machine that is less than $1,500 it is relatively quiet. I tested it side by side with several Horizon and ProForm models, and the difference in stability and noise level was dramatic.

Note: For 2010 the Sole E35 was rated "Best Overall" by a popular consumer magazines whose name I cannot mention. They gave it an "Excellent" for construction.

Features of the Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
It weighs in at a hefty 200 lbs. and has dual wheels that run along the railing, giving the E35 a solid and stable feel. In addition, the 81" length adds further to the stability. The downside is this elliptical takes up considerable space, but I will sacrifice space for stability. (Note: Standard delivery is to the curb. Sometimes they will back into your driveway, but not always. Either plan to have some strong individuals to move it indoors, or go for the optional inside delivery.)

Power Incline — The Sole E35 elliptical comes with a power incline feature, allowing you better target and tone various lower muscles. It also gives you an increased cardio burn and is like hiking up a hill.

Long Smooth 20" Stride Length
I found the 20" stride to be smooth and comfortable. If you are under 5'5" you may want to consider a machine with with a smaller stride. However this is an ideal stride length for average to above average users.
The stride is elongated, which is what you want with an elliptical. Cheaper units will often have an 18" stride with a flywheel weighing considerably less. The result is a choppy circular motion that requires lifting your knees. It is not as comfortable and consequently you'll probably exercise less and getting fewer results.

Adjustable Foot pedals
To add to your comfort level the Sole E35 is designed with articulating foot pedals. They angle with the elliptical motion. To increase your comfort level, you can manually make further adjustments to the angle of the pedals. If you have flat feet or higher arches, you can adjust the pedals to an ideal angle that will further reduce stress and potential numbness.

Console and Display
The E35 comes with 8 programs, for a variety of challenges, which includes one user defined program. And although there is contradictory information on the web site, I just verified with the company that it comes with wireless heart rate control and the telemetry belt.

You also get built-in speakers and can plug in your MP3 or iPod player. The sound won't impress audiophiles, but it is nice having the apex efficiently directed to you. There is also a small fan that provides moderate relief.
New for 2011 is a 6.5" backlit LCD display which simultaneously shows Speed, Incline, Time, Distance Traveled, Calories, Pulse and Pace. Included is a 1/4 mile track feature and a peak and valley graph so you can visualize your progress. Also, the console tilts for optimum viewing based on your height.

There are also 16 levels of resistance, making the switch from one level to the next marginal. This allows you to make small incremental adjustments. A feature that I really like is resistance and incline controls located on the moveable handlebars. When you want to make adjustments you don't have to break your stride and hit buttons on the console.

Fitness Source Review - Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
When visited Dick's Sporting Goods, they carried Sole, Horizon and ProForm elliptical trainers. I asked the salesperson which was the best seller. Without hesitation he said Sole. When I asked why, his response was the quality blows away the competition.
If you find the Sole E35 for $1,300 this is an excellent value, particularly when you consider the warranty. I feel this elliptical is one of the best buys in the $1,000-$1,500 range. If you are not all that familiar with the name Sole, their treadmills are used for in room workouts in the Hilton chain, which says something about their durability. In general, their machines are built to last. I have yet to have a complaint about this machine, however from the customer reviews below I've had considerable positive feedback.

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Customer Reviews
Great elliptical, especially for the price!
I recently ordered the Sole E35 elliptical. I have always used and liked the Precor machines at the gym however I was not willing to pay the price to have one in my home. I tried several machines in fitness stores and Sole was the only brand that felt sturdy for my price range ($1,300 is actually more than I had originally planned on spending).
The assembly time estimate on the Sole web site says 25-35 minutes. I think it took me 2-3 hours and I'm a reasonably mechanical person. That said, all the parts went together very easily and the instructions were decent (could have used more pictures in my opinion). I've only used the elliptical twice but find it to be very sturdy. It is also very quiet! I'm not sure how much noise I expected it to make, but it far exceeded my expectations. I hope with time it holds up well and it doesn't become noisy, but so far it is great!
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I bought a Sole Fitness E35 and put it together in my home. It was very easy - the hardest part was carrying it up the stairs, but my husband and I carried it up in pieces. I love the machine. It has all the programs I need (I generally use "Manual" but my kids like the "Fat Burn" and others, it's stable and very comfortable. I'm 5'4" and the stride length is perfect. I like that it's quiet and I can watch TV while I workout. I would highly recommend this machine - I've tested several brands and for the price it is an excellent value.
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I owned a nordic elliptical for 5 years and had it serviced twice. I decided I need to up grade. I search and researched. The best bang for the buck seemed to be the Sole E35. I was on a waiting list at a local store for several months. I finally went on line and ordered it from Sole directly. The price was $l.000 - free shipping. That was 3 years ago. I love this machine. My entire family uses it including my grandchildren. The only complaint I have is that the water bottle holder could be higher and the display window could be bigger. That aside, it performs much like the $3,000 machines. I have no complaints.
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Our office building purchased an E35. It broke after 4 months and they would not repair as the unit is in "commercial" use. Commercial use = NO WARRANTY. Keep this in mind if you are buying for your office. I would not buy Sole again and felt we were mislead about the warranty.
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I tested and read reviews of about a dozen ellipticals before purchasing the Sole E35. In addition to the best warranty in it's class, this unit is the most stable and quietest. The assembly technician concurred stating that he had to return to people who purchased other brand names but could not recall returning for problems with the Sole E35. I have mine for a short time, just over a month but it feels secure and would recommend it at this time.
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Just purchased a sole E35. It arrived in excellent condition, with individual parts separately packaged. Whatever you may think, it's going to take you and someone else to get the main pieces moved to your final location. The assembly was pretty straightforward. However, the Sole "estimate" of 30 minutes is very optimistic. I'm fairly mechanical, and it took about 3 hours. I read elsewhere that you need locktite for some of the bolts. But, I noticed that a few of them are sent with the material already on the bolt. The machine is VERY quiet, and feels quite substantial. It appears to be a quality machine.....guess we will see over time!

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Germs and bacteria are found everywhere, including gyms. The last thing you want when you're trying to be healthy is to get sick because of your health club.

Fungi, bacteria, and viruses are common in wet areas such as showers and swimming pool decks, Pire says. Sweat left to dry on equipment is also a breeding ground for bacteria.

Bacteria can also thrive on used towels on locker room floors, weights, sweaty cardio machines, and benches that members sit on between workouts, says Matt Carlen, director of LifeBridge Health and Fitness in Baltimore.

Let us not forget the increased risk of catching a cold, the flu, or any other communicable disease just by being in close proximity of others who are infected, not to mention using equipment and facilities that they hav come in contact with. With the cold and flu season rapidly approaching this is definitely something to consider seriously.

Avoiding the Risk
Obviously, the easiest way to avoid these problems is to purchase your own treadmill or elliptical and work out at home.
However, if you must go to a gym or health club because you want access to a swimming pool, hot tub, or other exercise equipment, keep these tips in mind.

If your gym has a swimming pool or hot tub, ask the staff how often they are cleaned and how often the chemical balance is checked, suggests Henry Williford, EdD, FACSM, professor of physical education and exercise science at Auburn University and a spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine.

Pire recommends wearing "shower shoes" or flip-flops to help minimize your chances of getting athlete's foot, toenail fungus, and viral or bacterial infections.

Wash your hands frequently, wipe down the equipment before and after you work out, and sit on a towel when in the sauna or on benches, McMillan says.

All gyms should have an automatic sanitizer dispenser, Carlen says. "Make sure you use it as much as you can," he says. (It doesn't hurt to bring your own hand sanitizer with you, as well.) With cold and flu season upon us, if you're sick with a cold or flu, stay home until you've been free of fever for at least a day, so you don't spread your germs.

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The following video provides a great overview of cardiovascular exercise including treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bikes. It should be helpful in deciding which piece of equipment if right for you.

Reviews like the Schwinn 418 (est $800) , which wins a couple of best-buy ratings. The Schwinn 418 has a flywheel design, like the Smooth elliptical trainers above, and the handlebars move, providing an upper body workout. Heart-rate sensors are located on the handgrips. There are 12 programs, a weight capacity of 275 pounds, and an 18-inch stride, which should be comfortable for most users. Schwinn offers a 15-year frame warranty, shorter than the lifetime frame warranties offered by Precor and Smooth, but reviews say the quality and durability of the Schwinn 418 are excellent for this price range. Compared to the higher-end Spirit XE 350, the Schwinn has eight resistance levels compared to 20 for the Spirit. The Spirit has a higher weight limit and a two-year labor warranty. Schwinn only gives you a six-month labor warranty.

However, we're read some recent complaints about manufacturing flaws with the Schwinn 418. Several owners posting comments to Amazon.com report that the Schwinn elliptical trainer broke in the same place -- that the welds holding the mast to the frame are too weak. Although the price is low, the six-month labor warranty and reports of the exact same durability problem gives us pause. Though it costs more, the Spirit XE 350 comes with a two-year labor warranty.

In this price range, TreadmillDoctor.com likes the NordicTrack Elite 1300, Epic 1000 and ProForm 21.0 (est $850) . All three of these elliptical machines are made by the same manufacturer, Icon Health and Fitness. We found the ProForm to be a bit easier to find in stores. This model has an 18-inch stride, gel handgrips on the handles and 12 programs. Its big innovation is that it includes a few video games you can play on the small console screen. You control the games with the handgrips. Reviews say this feature is pretty gimmicky, but the elliptical trainer as a whole is a good value. Unfortunately, the ProForm warranty is one of the worst in the industry -- only 90 days on parts and labor. The weight limit is 250 pounds.

The Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A elliptical trainer (*est. $400) has an unusual one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. Blake Bissaillion from BuildingMuscle101.com recommends the Fitness Quest Eclipse, saying that its steel frame is sturdy and won't wobble even at higher speeds and that it can support up to 275 pounds. Bissaillion says the Fitness Quest elliptical trainer is lightweight and compact enough to be wheeled from room to room. The Fitness Quest 1100 HR/A has a 275-pound weight limit, ten preset programs and two heart-rate-controlled programs -- a large number for this budget price range. The heart-rate sensors are in the handgrips, which move to provide an upper body workout. This model uses a flywheel design like the Smooth and Schwinn elliptical trainers above, but the stride length is only 15 inches, which may be too short for tall individuals (as opposed to the Spirit XE ellipticals above, which have a 20-inch stride). We found some good owner comments for this model.

Other reviewers like the ProForm 900 (est $600) . Like the Fitness Quest above, the ProForm 900 has handlebars for an upper body workout and an included heart-rate monitor, located on the handgrips. This ProForm elliptical trainer has six exercise programs, but at additional cost, you can download more programs from the Internet. It also has a fan in the console to keep you cool. Although these extra features sound nice, reviews say such things are often gimmicky, especially when the machine itself isn’t built to last. Reviews warn that the ProForm elliptical trainer does not have the stability of higher-priced elliptical trainers, plus ProForm's standard warranty is very short -- only 90 days.

At TreadmillDoctor.com, editors highlight the Image 8.5 (*est. $400). This model is also made by Icon Health and Fitness, and it shares the same short 90-day warranty. This flywheel model has a 17.5-inch stride, movable handles for an upper body workout, and a handgrip heart-rate monitor.

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The Precor EFX 5.17i elliptical trainer has an accessory holder on the console for your water bottle or CD player. Precor comes standard with a child safety feature to prevent accidental startups, but you have to pay extra for the optional heart-rate monitor. The Precor EFX 5.17i elliptical trainer doesn't include an upper body workout, but step-up models do, including the (*est. $2,700) and the EFX 5.33 (*est. $3,800). However, these two models have a 20-degree fixed ramp, so if you like to adjust the incline while working out, you might opt for the EFX 5.17i instead. With Precor elliptical trainers, you must choose between an upper body workout and an adjustable incline.

We featured the Precor EFX 5.21 (*est. $3,700) in a previous version of this report, but chose to replace it with the EFX 5.17i, which is less expensive but has comparable features. For the extra money, the Precor EFX 5.21i gives you two extra workout programs, a slightly larger 13- to 30-degree incline, and an included heart-rate monitor. The only downside to Precor elliptical trainers (besides the high price) is the large size and weight (the very qualities that make them so stable), so make sure you have enough space.

Another higher-end option is the Life Fitness X3 elliptical trainer (*est. $3,000). This elliptical trainer has movable handlebars for an upper body workout and an interactive heart-rate monitor to help keep you in your target heart-rate zone. The Life Fitness elliptical trainer has 12 workouts, including a "My Workouts" section that stores weight, incline levels and progress for up to four workouts or people. However, experts at TreadmillDoctor.com say this model is overpriced for what you get, and in this price range, Precor is better.

If you're looking for a lot of features on a limited budget, reviewers like the Smooth CE 3.2 (est $1700). Experts say it's durable for the price and offers a full complement of features for the money. It has nine customizable programs, a 300-pound weight capacity, and comes with a wireless heart-rate monitor. Movable handlebars give your upper body a workout, but reviews especially like the pivoting foot pedals, which decrease ankle strain. One drawback: The stride length on the Smooth CE 3.2 is 16 inches, which may be too short for taller people. However, Smooth's step-up model, the CE 7.4 (est $2,500) has a 19-inch stride, equivalent to the Precor elliptical trainers above.

Smooth's elliptical trainers use a flywheel instead of rollers on a ramp for the leg movement, and thus, the user can’t adjust the incline. The machine's speed and resistance are based on the workout program, but these can be customized as you work out. This is an improvement over Smooth's former CE models, which didn't allow setting changes. The high-end Precor EFX 5.17 elliptical trainer (*est. $2,700), on the other hand, has an adjustable incline to vary your workout. (Reviews say a variable incline can help isolate different muscle groups.) Smooth elliptical trainers have a lifetime warranty on parts and a one-year labor warranty.

According to reviews at TreadmillDoctor.com, Spirit elliptical trainers are a great value right now; editors think that Spirit is actually underpricing its elliptical trainers. This manufacturer gets good reviews for its treadmills, but we didn't see as many reviews for its elliptical trainers. Both the Spirit XE 350 (*est. $1,450) and the Spirit XE 550 (*est. $1,750) have a long 20-inch stride and upper body handles. Articulated foot pedals reduce ankle stress. Twenty resistance levels and ten workout programs help vary your workout. Neither of these machines has an adjustable incline (a feature you're unlikely to see at this price level). Both models have heart-rate control, a fan and an accessory holder. Both machines include a lifetime warranty on the frame and brake system, plus five years on other parts. A two-year labor warranty is included, which is more generous than Smooth.

The Spirit XE 350 has a 350-pound user weight limit; the XE 550 has a 400-pound weight limit. Added features on the higher-end XE 550 include molded handgrips, a cushioned foot pad and a heart-rate "autopilot" feature, which varies the resistance automatically to keep you in your target heart-rate zone. The entry-level Spirit XE 150 (*est. $1,250) costs less, but doesn't have many heart-rate features, has a smaller display, a 300-pound weight limit and no adjustable foot pedals.

We highlighted the Vision Fitness 6200HRT elliptical trainer (*est. $1,500) in a previous version of this report. The manufacturer upgraded this model to the X6200HRT (*est. $2,000), which also gets some high scores in reviews. Like the Life Fitness elliptical trainer and Spirit XE 550 above, the Vision Fitness X6200HRT will automatically change resistance to maintain your target heart rate (sensors are located in the handgrips). The movable handles work your upper body, plus this model can fold up for storage.

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