Step inside your average fitness centre and you are likely to see all manner of machines designed to make you sweat buckets before you can look good.
Chances are you've seen enough "Easy Abs" infomercials to last a lifetime. There will be those who even think that they've surely seen it all by now.
Yet 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.
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 back on track, to help stay fit but with no impact on joints or feet. The Street-Strider is 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. 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), Street-Strider burned an average of 423 calories for 30 minutes in men and an average of 276 calories for women. Average that all out and Street-Strider burns approximately 12.7 percent more calories per minute than traditional elliptical machines.
Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Lynn Kanuka recently heard about the Street-Strider and was impressed by what it can do for the whole body.
"I can only run two days per week these days and the Street-Strider offers no impact," she said. "I do my workouts on it such as a Fartlek session, hills for 20 minutes and I go as fast as 20-30 kmh on it. One can also do their errands too."
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," she said.
Kanuka also has been getting positive feedback from others while she is training on it
"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. . "The Street-Strider is here to stay."
