Forbes.com has a new feature on workout equipment which offers a
look at some sleek machines that can help whip you into shape. The
list includes item like the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells which unlike regular dumbbells make it easy to change the amount of weight on the bar. Forbes says, "A simple click of the dial lets users select from 5 pounds up to 42.5 pounds."
If you like treadmills and stair climbers Forbes mentions the
Lifefitness Treadmill T9e, Stepmill Stairmaster 7000PT and the
Nautilus TreadClimer TC916. The TreadClimber TC916, which retails for $5,995, combines low impact walking with gradual hill climbing and burns more calories more quickly than regular stairclimbers. Forbes also selected the Concept2 indoor rower and the Kettler Ergoracer for indoor cycling.
In ellipticals, Forbes has featured Precor's EFX 5.23 Elliptical,
the Cyber Arc Trainer and the $14,615 ROM (the wild-looking contraption pictured above). Forbes says the ROM is used by celebrities like Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone.
The ROM claims to give a complete body workout in just four minutes. It uses
two exercise stations to engage almost all the muscle groups in the body
while combining a cardio and strength workout. It's quickly becoming a
favorite among celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone and
Stephen Spielberg, not to mention being used by the U.S. Women's' Olympic
Swim Team, U.S. Navy Seals and the Phoenix Fire Department.
So, what are the current trends in fitness equipment? Treadmills are still hot
according to Forbes with $2.8 billion in sales in 2004. But the next
trend in home fitness appears to be the elliptical trainers which
offer a solid workout while putting less stress on your joints.
"Ellipticals are the best piece of equipment to use. They train all leg
muscles with less force on joints than even walking," says Dr. Joseph
Mercola, who heads mercola.com, a popular health Web site. Ellipticals
also save time by combining strength and cardio workouts. Springing from
the same concept are now machines such as the Cybex ARC trainer, it uses
the gliding motion of an elliptical, but gives the feeling of hiking or
running bleachers -- because who has time for outdoors anymore?
Forbes.com has a new 
