Cardio Slim - Twister exercise machine for weight loss at home

The Twister cardio exercise machine (Cardio Slim) is a modification of a conventional stepper. The only significant difference is the presence of a rotating handle, which makes training on this stepper more varied. Today Cardio Slim is very popular in many countries of the world, including Russia, and the demand for it recently is much higher than for classic steppers. The design of the cardioslim is almost 100% identical to the classic stepper.

pros

Benefits of exercising on the Twister cardio machine

• Reducing the layer of subcutaneous fat and, as a result, getting rid of excess weight.
• Strengthening and toning all major muscle groups. Thus, in particular, the buttocks, thighs and stomach become more toned, and the waist becomes noticeably narrower.
• Improved coordination.
• Development of flexibility.
• The overall endurance of the body increases.
• Strengthening the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

In addition, Twister is a fairly budget-friendly option for cardio training at home.

Twister or ellipsoid?

An elliptical trainer and a cardio twister are similar in the principle of exerting stress on the body. Both work the muscles of the chest, back, arms, legs and hips, and both are based on walking and train endurance.

Elliptical trainer

Pros:

• Burns up to 900 calories per hour of active work;
• Works all muscle groups;
• Contains training programs, different levels of difficulty;
• You can exercise for people with musculoskeletal problems and obesity; there are no weight restrictions.

Minuses:

• High price;
• Periodically you need to tighten the parts and take care of the simulator;
• Bulky, takes up a lot of space in the house.

Cardio twister

Pros:

• Compact;
• There are 7 degrees of difficulty;
• Works the muscles of the back, abs, legs;
• The price is up to 8 thousand rubles, which is acceptable for a simulator.

Minuses:

• Weight restrictions – up to 110 kg;
• Tall people sometimes find it difficult to exercise;
• Sometimes it is not assembled well;
• The training levels are not suitable for everyone, sometimes too easy.

A cardio twister for weight loss is slightly inferior in functionality to an elliptical trainer, but is much more attractive in price than the latter. Another significant advantage of the twister is its compactness and ease of movement.

Cons and contraindications

Like the classic stepper, the Twister cardio exercise machine has no significant disadvantages, however, due to the nature of its use, it is contraindicated for some people , namely:

• people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• with severe curvature of the spine;
• for joint pathology;
• those who have recently suffered injuries or are in the process of recovery.

One of the few disadvantages of the design of the Twister simulator is the small stroke (amplitude) of the pedals, which is why the intensity of the workout is noticeably lower than on some other cardio equipment, so the duration of the session needs to be increased.

Benefits of Cardio Twister

Like other cardio equipment, Twister also has a complex positive effect on the body. We can talk about the advantages endlessly:

• Compactness. Unlike a treadmill or ellipsoid, this exercise machine requires virtually no installation space. Just 10 minutes, and the installation is assembled. Exercise comfortably even in limited space.
• Modern style. The simulator looks beautiful and technologically advanced. There is no shame in leaving it in a visible place when friends or relatives come to visit. The design fits well into the interior.
• Smooth/soft pedal travel. Classes on Twister are comfortable. During training, you don’t need to worry about your foot accidentally slipping off or the unit suddenly slowing down. Any force majeure is excluded, and with them injuries.
• Ergonomics. The structure is not only easy to assemble/disassemble, but also weighs 16 kilograms.

Detailed specifications are available with the selected installation model.

What muscles work

Many Twister manufacturers, in order to increase demand for their products, claim that thanks to their simulators, almost all muscle groups are strengthened. In reality this is not the case. The main load when exercising on the Twister cardio machine falls on the leg muscles, mainly on the buttocks and thighs. The abdominal muscles, oblique abdominal muscles and lower back get a load thanks to the rotating mechanism of the exercise machine. The muscles of the shoulder girdle and calf muscles act as stabilizers

Disadvantages of this type

Despite all its many positive features, the cardio twister has some disadvantages. They are noticeable mainly to experienced athletes and coaches, and they share their observations with beginners:

1. A small pedal stroke reduces the intensity of training. To grow, you will have to either increase the speed or extend the training time.
2. The upper lever requires some skill to operate - it is often rotated by the hands, rather than by turning the body and waist.
3. The cardioslim pedals are located slightly inward, the toes seem to be closer together, and moving your legs may seem uncomfortable.
4. The sequence of movements is a little unnatural for a person - in ordinary life we ​​do not walk in a twisted position with our arms raised. Therefore, it is difficult for beginners to keep the rhythm - concentrating on the steps, you can lose track of turns - and vice versa.
5. The design of the exercise machine forces you to almost completely straighten your arms at the elbows, while your back naturally bends slightly forward, which means that the load on your knees noticeably increases . If you are of normal weight, this is harmless, but if you are overweight, it can have a negative effect.

How to choose a Twister simulator for your home

On the Internet we are offered dozens of Twister models. But, despite the large number of positive reviews about this or that model, you should not order it right away. It is advisable to try the machine in person before purchasing. This can be done with someone you know or in the gym. Nowadays, the cardio training area of ​​almost every fitness club is equipped with several Twisters, so finding them will not be difficult. Below we will talk about several of the most popular models of Twister cardio equipment.

Cardio Twister Titan

• Country of origin: Germany
• Dimensions: 57 x 67 x 122 centimeters;
• Weight: 15 kilograms;
• Maximum permissible weight of an athlete: 120 kilograms;
• Equipment: seven-level load (resistance) and speed adjustment lever, handles and pedals made of non-slip material, mini-computer with a monitor that displays time, number of steps and number of calories burned;
• Cost: from 5 thousand rubles.

BRADEX Cardio Twister SF 0033

• Country of origin: Israel
• Dimensions: 47 x 29 x 56 centimeters;
• Weight: 14.5 kilograms;
• Maximum permissible weight of an athlete: 110 kilograms;
• Equipment: seven-level load (resistance) and speed adjustment lever, handles and pedals made of non-slip material, mini-computer with a monitor that displays time, number of steps and number of calories burned, DVD with training video;
• Cost: from 4 thousand rubles.

Cardio Slim (Cardio)

• Country of origin: China
• Dimensions: base – no more than 1 square meter, height – 122 centimeters;
• Weight: 15.2 kilograms;
• Maximum permissible athlete weight: 113 kilograms;
• Equipment: mini-computer for monitoring and adjusting resistance levels (7 levels), monitor displaying time, number of steps taken and calorie consumption, handles and pedals made of non-slip material;
• Cost: up to 6 thousand rubles.

Rower Twister KCR-2800

• Country of origin: China
• Dimensions: 74 x 74 x 117 centimeters;
• Weight: 13.3 kilograms;
• Maximum permissible weight of an athlete: 90 kilograms;
• Equipment: seven-level load (resistance) and speed adjustment lever, sensor displaying time, number and speed of steps and calorie consumption;
• Cost: from 5 thousand rubles.

What does it look like?

The cardio twister consists of a main body, two pedals, a movable axis, 2 handles and a display that displays: the number of steps, exercise time, and calories burned. The data screen works when operations with the simulator begin; it does not have additional on/off buttons. If you stand on it and do not exercise, the display will not work. Below the screen there is a panel with difficulty levels, there are 7 in total; a well-trained woman can practice the last one, but athletes will find it easy.

Most simulators have the following characteristics:

• Weight about 16 kg;
• Height is slightly more than a meter;
• Non-slip pedals;
• Soft handles that do not leave calluses.

When choosing, pay attention to the company that produced it; more expensive - sometimes does not mean better; there are reviews on the Internet for each manufacturer; study them carefully before purchasing. Some exercise machines have poor build quality and break down after one or two months of active use.

Remember that to lose weight, exercise machines must be used in conjunction with proper nutrition; they even include a collection of recipes.

How to exercise on the Twister simulator

You need to start your “acquaintance” with Twister with simple steps with turns in order to understand the mechanics and range of movements.

The Twister cardio exercise machine has 2 main modes: “Fast” and “Slow”.

1. “Fast” mode means working with low pedal resistance. This regime is aimed primarily at burning subcutaneous fat.
2. The “Slow” mode adds elements of strength training to cardio training on several muscle groups, mostly on the legs.

For best results, it is recommended to combine these modes in each workout.

Useful tips for training on Cardio Twister

Before exercising on the simulator, you must carefully study the instructions. The annotation often contains not only the rules for using the equipment, but also recommendations for effective training:

• Exercise 2 hours after eating. It is advisable to avoid drinking coffee while losing weight - it puts a strong strain on the heart.
• We follow the drinking regime. The optimal amount of liquid is 2 liters. There is no need to force the body by drinking the specified volume several times. The norm is individual for each organism.
• The duration of the first workout is no more than half an hour. We gradually increase the training time.
• We place the simulator exclusively on a flat surface. There should be no slipping or rocking. If the surface is perfectly smooth, it is advisable to place a rubber mat under the installation.
• When moving on an improved stepper, you need to hold on to the handle, just like when riding a bicycle.
• Before class, it is advisable to set a stopwatch so as not to overwork and control the training time at all times.
• Movements on Twister should be smooth, soft and gradually increasing. You cannot stop training suddenly.

Regular training is an opportunity to quickly get rid of extra pounds and improve your physical fitness. If you are in doubt about choosing a simulator, be sure to pay attention to the Cardio Twister.

How to conduct a lesson correctly?

The instructions for use say that exercising for 10 minutes will bring noticeable results; this idea should be discarded. Cardio training takes effect after half an hour of active work; before this time, the body is dehydrated and carbohydrates are burned. To reduce the time spent on the machine, it is recommended to do a light warm-up of the whole body.

The minimum warm-up complex contains:

• Head turns;
• Head rotation;
• Rotation of the arm in the shoulder and elbow joints;
• Tilts of the body to the right-left-forward-back;
• Bends to the feet;
• Squats;
• Straight and side lunges;
• Rotation of the ankle joint.

While performing the main exercise program for weight loss, monitor your pulse, let it lie within the boundaries of 220-age in years. Avoid eating or drinking coffee an hour or two before and after your workout. You are allowed to drink water while exercising on the machine to prevent dehydration.

• We advise you to read: what to eat before and after training

The duration of the training varies depending on the level of the student. For beginners, it’s enough to do the exercises for 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week, at 1-3 levels of difficulty, for advanced ones – 40 minutes, 3-5 times, at levels 3-5. People with good physical fitness are advised to exercise for about an hour, 3–5 times a week, at levels 5–7. Watch how you walk, you need to step from the heel, as when running.

Exercise program

1. Basic step. Stand on the machine, place your hands shoulder-width apart, lean lightly on the handles. Step with your left foot and turn your body to the right at the same time, then return to the starting position, move your right foot, and turn your torso to the left. Do the exercise at an accelerated pace for 2-3 minutes.
2. Squat. Starting position is the same as in the previous exercise. Bend your knees and lower yourself down so that your hip muscles make an angle close to 90 with your calf muscles. Move using a basic step. Do the exercise at an accelerated pace for 2-3 minutes.
3. Hand exercise. Take a basic step position, lower one hand down, and begin walking. During the step, raise and lower your arm up through the bend at the elbow. It will turn out like this: step with the left foot - the arm moves from a free position to a bent position at shoulder level, step with the right foot - the arm straightens up and lowers to the shoulder joint.
4. Twisting. Take the starting position, move your hands closer to the center of the steering wheel. Start walking, try to hold the steering wheel in the initial position and prevent it from turning left or right. This exercise models the pectoral muscles and also puts stress on the arms. Do the same as the previous ones, in fast mode, 2-3 minutes.
5. Inclined crunches. Stand on a cardio twister, place one hand in the center, and lower the other to your waist. Start walking, while turning your body in the direction opposite to your hand. That is, if the right hand lies in the center, then the twists are made to the left. If the exercise seems easy to you, then add side bends to it.
6. Chest rotation. Rest your palms on the steering wheel and transfer part of your body weight to it. While walking, push off from it, tensing your arm muscles. Watch how you step on the pedals of the exercise machine and your heart rate.
7. Exercise for oblique muscles. Stand on the machine, place your hands on the handles so that they are shoulder-width apart. Start walking as in exercise 1, while adding bends to the side. When you step with your right foot, you lean to the right and vice versa, respectively.

Doing a weight complex right away, without preparation, is quite difficult. Start with the first 4 exercises, work up to the required time and gradually add the remaining 3. Don't forget about restoring your breathing and cooling down after training. Cardio equipment puts a strain on the cardiovascular system, so you need to cool down after exercise. It is recommended to use stretching as a cool-down, then the muscles will acquire a beautiful shape.

Features of the simulator

As you know, banal strength loads will not give the desired effect in the fight against extra pounds; in this case, it is the cardio load that is important, which Cardio Twister will allow you to get, provided that you exercise it correctly and regularly.

In the photographs below you can see the packaging and configuration of the goods presented in our store:

During exercise, exercise machines create stress not only on the legs, as happens during training on a stepper or exercise bike, but also on the upper body. While you walk, your legs, buttocks, arm and shoulder muscles, abs and side muscles work, which allows you to get an even load on all parts of the body and tighten them, while burning extra calories.

Cardio Twister is a real find for those women who prefer to have a beautiful and toned figure, without signs of “pumping”, which is inherent in gym goers who prefer strength training.