American Council on Exercise Study Finds StreetStrider™ Elliptical Cross Trainer Provides Effective Cardio Workout

SAN DIEGO, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's leading authority on fitness and the world's largest nonprofit fitness certification, education and training organization, today announced the results of the first independently conducted published study on StreetStrider, an elliptical cross-trainer on wheels for outdoor use.  The study found that the product provides a more intense and effective cardiovascular workout when compared to a stationary elliptical machine.  

ACE commissioned the study to determine whether the StreetStrider met its claims of helping participants burn more calories and achieve a higher heart-rate than they would on an indoor elliptical trainer.  The study was conducted by the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Exercise and Health Program, and led by John Porcari, Ph.D., and Jordan Becker, M.S.

"As America's Workout Watchdog, we felt the need to test the StreetStrider's claims as its popularity has quickly grown among exercise enthusiasts in recent years," said American Council on Exercise's Chief Science Officer, Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D.  "Our findings show that the StreetStrider provides a more effective cardiovascular workout than a traditional elliptical machine, and consumers can rest assured that the product delivers when used correctly."

The study evaluated 15 healthy adults, consisting of seven males and eight females ranging in age from 18 to 53, who all had previous experience exercising on stationary elliptical machines.  Prior to the beginning of the study, all participants completed a maximal exercise test using the Precor® EFX 576i elliptical cross-trainer to help establish a fitness baseline for the group.  

Participants tested the StreetStrider on a 200-meter indoor track at the University of Wisconsin due to inclement weather.  Testers rode the eight-speed StreetStrider Summit 8r for 30 minutes at their own preferred pace.  The group then rode a Precor stationary elliptical cross-trainer indoors for 30 minutes, also at their own preferred pace.  Researchers continuously measured the subjects' heart rate, oxygen consumption and caloric expenditure during both tests.  

Through evaluation, researchers found that the StreetStrider workout was superior in all aspects.  Subjects burned more calories, achieved a higher heart rate and percentage of heart rate maximum, and experienced higher oxygen consumption levels and percentage of oxygen consumption maximum than during the stationary elliptical workout.  StreetStrider users burned 12.7 percent more calories per minute than traditional elliptical machine users.  Additionally, while women who participated in the study reported a higher rating of perceived exertion with the StreetStrider, men did not report a significant difference.  Researchers also noted that if the tests had been performed outdoors, it is likely that the differences in results between the StreetStrider and the stationary elliptical would have been even more significant.

"Overall, we found that the StreetStrider provides a tremendous workout and is a legitimate alternative to indoor cardio machines," added Bryant.  "The product encourages riders to engage more of their muscles for an effective total-body workout, while enjoying the benefits of an outdoor workout."

A complete study summary can be found on ACE's Get Fit™ website, located at www.acefitness.org/getfit/research.aspx.

About ACE

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's premier fitness education, certification and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting Americans against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction.  ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and is the world's largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization.  For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE website at www.acefitness.org.

SOURCE American Council on Exercise