Yowza Largo Elliptical Machine

 Elliptical machines are becoming ever more popular and it would be rare to find a gym or fitness club that did not have several on offer. They have a specific advantage over traditional treadmills and (the even more traditional) jogging, in that they are a weight-bearing but low impact form of exercise.

Those who have ever suffered a joint injury, sprain or torn ligament while running can attest to the importance of protecting feet, knees, hips and back from the constant impact of foot on tarmac. Modern treadmills may improve on mother nature by providing sophisticated cushioning systems to lessen the shock and reduce impact compared to outdoor running but even so, they will never be as low impact as any elliptical.

That is because on an elliptical the foot does not lift and strike any surface. It moves forward and back in a smooth gliding motion and there is no impact at all - which is not to say, that elliptical training is not intense. Just watch the jocks sweat when they get a burn going on a commercial elliptical in any gym.

Just like treadmills however, ellipticals come in a wide range of price brackets and with a varying number of bells and whistles. The key to a successful purchase is to buy an elliptical that provides the level of intensity and exercise variety that you require. Anything less will not be enough of a challenge and will becoming boring over time. Unless you are looking for an athletic standard paying top dollar for an elliptical will likely mean paying over-the-odds for features you do not need.

The Yowza Largo is a comparatively compact, low cost elliptical. It has a rear-drive which provides a smoother motion than front-drive ellipticals and there is no roller track which dispenses with the need for weekly track and wheel cleaning.

Although the cheapest of the Yowza Fitness elliptical, the Largo still offers a generous number of preset programs and user profiles. There are 12 programs to work through which include a manual setting, target time or distance, target calories, an interval program, fat burning, heart rate control and the ever challenging random program which has 50 variations to beat you up with.

There are nine separate profiles which mean the whole family and perhaps a few friends can store their gender, height and weight details. Users can further extend the programs on the fly by using the resistance adjusting sensors on the handlebars. The handlebars also have pulse grip monitors and the console contains a heart rate receiving sensor for training within a target heart rate zone – a method of getting into shape endorsed by the American Heart Association.

Yowza ellipticals use the Sure-Fit pedal system. The pedal pivots gently with the elliptical stride path which flexes the foot and mimics a normal movement. The pedals are also designed to have a narrow gap between them which is a more natural position than the slightly splayed effect of some of the rival machines on the market.

Although priced low, the Yowza Largo has a few nice extras that you would expect to find on a more costly machine. The built-in speakers and iPod dock are much appreciated and make any workout more entertaining wghile the water biottle holder keeps a refreshing drink within easy reach.

The Yowza Fitness warranty is one of the best on the market. The frame on the Largo has a lifetime warranty; parts are covered for 3 years and in home labor for 1 year.

Yowza offer a free curbside delivery or for $79 more you can have the elliptical delivered right inside your home to the room you choose (on the first or second floor only). You must still unpack and assemble it but the Largo is not complicated to put together.

Altogether this is a well built, compact and stable elliptical at a relatively low market price. Although the name Yowza may not be familiar to many, the founders of the Yowza company have a long history of innovation and experience in the fitness machine industry and you can expect Yowza Fitness to be a name worth watching over the next two years.