Step inside your average fitness center and you are likely to see all manner of machines which are designed to make you sweat buckets before you can look good. Chances are you’ve seen enough “Easy Abs” infomercials to last you a lifetime. There will be those who even think that they’ve surely seen it all by now. Every type of weight machines, bicycles, treadmills, elliptical and fly by night gadgets has already been thrust upon us.
You guessed it. There IS something new on the horizon that has never been seen before, at least not in Canada. It is a new way to work out that looks to be much more fun than merely riding a bike. With all of the features of a standard elliptical machine, you can take this one for a ride around the block and beyond. It’s called, ‘Street-Strider’ and will propel you just about anywhere while you stay in the traditional, elliptical standing position.
Cross training can be the answer to getting you back on track to help you stay fit but with no impact on your joints or feet. The Street-Strider will be for those who prefer a total body workout in the great outdoors. It has three wheels, with two in the front. Long handles will work your arms while steering, while the pedals are designed to keep you standing up. With eight gears Street-Strider will get you over many of the most challenging hills.
Dr. David Kraus, an avid cyclist from California invented the Street- Strider in 2005 and in 2009 participants on the NBC’s reality program, “The Biggest Loser”, had successfully trained on the unique looking machine.
According to a study with the American Council of Research (ACE) (www.acefitness.org.) it was determined that, “In particular, that exercise using the Street-Strider burned an average of 423 calories for 30 minutes (that’s 14.1 kcals per minute) in men, while women burned an average of 276 calories (9.2 kcal/min). Average that all out and you’re looking at the Street-Strider burning approximately 12.7 percent more calories per minute than traditional elliptical machines.”
It is the full body machine that uses both the legs and upper body that combines biking, jogging and cross country skiing into one workout with no impact.
Lynn Kanuka (Canadian Olympic Bronze Medalist (1500 metres) 1984 LA Olympics) first heard about the Street-Strider recently and was impressed by what it can do for one’s whole body. Kanuka, notes, “I can only run two days per week these days and the Strider offers no impact.” She also adds, "I do my workouts on it such as a Fartlek session, hills for 20 minutes and I go as fast as 20-30 Km on it" I Love it. One can also do their errands too.”
She continues on, "Anybody can do it, kids love it, and there is no age limit.”
When this writer tried out the Street-Strider it felt like a sensation of flying, a gliding motion, and not feeling any impact whatsoever. I felt like a kid at play having fun and friendly smiles from others watching me while I was test striding at the Clement Track. Richmond resident, Katrine Mckinnon also test strided and she enjoyed it so much she decided to buy one. “It is different than from riding a bike. It is smooth and feels also like I am flying.”
Kanuka also has been getting positive feedback from others while she is training on it, commenting, “…the street strider is good on the trails, urban areas and it feels so natural to be on it and it is a wider than a bike. (see picture). “The Street-Strider is here to stay,” she says. So if you are tired of going to the gym or need something else to complement your running or simply want to have fun on a three wheeler, then put on your helmet and take a ride on the Street-Strider. See you on the trails!
The elliptical trainer on wheels
A fantastic new way to get movin' outside
No impact, full body and super fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyeHOGDvvu0
Lynn Kanuka-Streetstrider.ca
