A

Aerobic

With oxygen, or in the presence of oxygen.

Aerobic Exercise

A method of conditioning the cardiorespiratory system by performing an activity that uses large muscle groups, is rhythmic, elevates the heart rate for a period of time, and increases the intake of oxygen.

B

Biomechanics and Ergonomics

Biomechanics is the mechanical study of living beings. In the case of fitness equipment, it is the study of the exercise machines effect on the person, and the person's effect on the machine. Ergonomics are sometimes called "human factors" where the overall aim is to ensure that our knowledge of human characteristics is brought to bear on practical problems of people at work and in leisure. In the case of a treadmill, it may mean things like ensuring buttons do what you think they will, the heart rate sensors are placed in a thoughtful manner, and the cupholders are placed in convenient locations. Life Fitness has a full-time team of engineers that focus on these disciplines in order to ensure our products are the safest, easiest to use, and most biomechanically correct on the market, so the workouts on your machine provide maximum benefit, with minimum risk of injury.

C

Carbohydrate

Organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; when broken down, a major energy source for muscular work and one of the basic foodstuffs.

Cardiac

Pertaining to the heart.

Carotid Pulse

Pulse located on the carotid artery down from the corner of the eye, just under the jawbone; common site used for taking heart rate.

Comfort Curve™ Seat

Comfort Curve and Comfort Curve + seats for upright Lifecycle® exercise bikes are specially designed to make riding much more comfortable, for longer periods of time. The design is the result of extensive research on bicycle seat design, and pressure analysis on riders of varying size and weights on a variety of prototype models. The seat's innovative convex shape, lowered horn angle, and smooth, interference-free design encourages correct biking position and provides more comfort for the rider.

Cool-Down

Rhythmic, low-intensity aerobic activities that provide a transition period between high-intensity aerobic work and less aerobically taxing calisthenics, stretching or the end of the workout.

Cross-Training

Engaging in a variety of physical activities and exercise modalities including both cardiovascular and strength training exercises; a training method that can be used to help minimize boredom, maintain motivation and prevent overuse syndrome.

E

Endurance

Ability to sustain a physical activity or continue exerting a force over time.

Ergo handle bar

The bell-curved Ergo handle bar is ergonomically-designed to permit your wrists to fall in a comfortable and natural position. It also lets treadmill users of all heights comfortably hold onto the bar without compromising posture. The Ergo handle bar on some treadmill models also allows users to comfortably grip the Lifepulse sensors in order to monitor their heart rate or use one of many interactive Heart Rate Zone Training programs.

F

Fatigue

A diminished capacity for work as a result of prolonged or excessive exertion or inadequate fuel.

FlexDeck® shock absorption system

Life Fitness® Treadmills are equipped with the exclusive, patented FlexDeck shock absorption system, which consists of under-the-deck Lifespring shock made of an advanced, ultraviolet (UV) cured polyurethane elastomer material.

The FlexDeck shock absorption system offers users of varying weights similar cushioning via the Lifespring shock absorber’s variable-rate oval design. This design allow the deck to flex downward with the force of the user’s foot and then gently upward as the foot is lifted. The FlexDeck shock absorption system insures safe, comfortable exercise by reducing impact to ankles, knees and hips by nearly 30% more than ordinary treadmills.

Competitive deck cushioning systems use rubber or foam to cushion the running surface of their treadmills. The spring in the deck initially feels very good, but over time the rubber or foam will compress, break down and offer little of its initial good feel, while losing the cushioning effect for the user.

Unlike rubber or foam, Life Spring shock absorbers will never break down or wear out. Life Fitness is the only manufacturer in the industry to provide a lifetime warranty for their treadmill shock absorbers.

With Life Fitness Treadmills and our exclusive FlexDeck shock absorption system, the flex experienced the first time will be the same flex experienced in all workouts, year after year.

Flexibility

The range of motion around a joint.

H

Heart Rate

The number of times the heart beats in one minute.

Heart Rate Zone Training™

A Heart Rate Zone Training program does more than just calculate the user's heart rate, it automatically and continuously controls resistance or elevation levels on the equipment to keep users in their optimal heart rate training zone, providing safer, more effective workouts. It eliminates over and under training by taking the guesswork out of exercising, keeping users motivated and on the right track to achieve their fitness goals.

I

Interval Training

Deliberately alternating between brief periods of lower and higher intensity levels during a workout; a method used to maximize cardiovascular endurance.

Isokinetic

Contraction in which the tension developed by the muscle while shortening at constant speed is consistent over the full range of motion.

Isometric

Contraction against an immovable force; static; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases, but muscle length remains the same.

Isotonic

Movement against a movable force; dynamic; a muscle contraction in which the tension increases while the muscle length changes (concentric: muscle shortens; eccentric: muscle lengthens).

IsoTrack® Stepping System

This superior belt-drive system powers an easy-on-the-knees independent stepping motion. Its ergonomically-angled linear slide mechanism mimics a real stepping motion and develops each leg independently for balanced results. And the IsoTrack system makes our stairclimbers quieter and cleaner than chain drive systems, with virtually no maintenance to worry about.

L

Lifespring™ shock absorbers

Lifespring shock absorbers are made of an advanced, ultraviolet (UV) cured polyurethane elastomer material. The same super-strong, yet flexible, material found in Corvette suspensions and giant 225 ton mining truck suspensons. And because the Lifespring material is nearly indestructible, the flex experienced during the first use will be the same flex experienced in all subsequent workouts, even years later. Plus, you can customize the feel of your treadmill deck by adding or removing Lifespring? shock absorbers to make your deck more rigid or flexible.

Link6™ elliptical drive system

Life Fitness® Elliptical Cross-Trainers incorporate a unique Link 6 elliptical drive system that provides the optimal elliptical path for the most effective and biomechanically correct movement possible. Extensive research was done to track the motion of the ellipse and how the exerciser moves with the machine to make constant refinements until the most effective path was created.

M

Maximum Heart Rate

Theoretical maximum heart rate that one can achieve during his or her greatest effort in exercise, estimated to be 220 minus your age.

Metabolism

The sum total of the chemical reactions in the body at rest or during exercise.

MET

The expression of the rate of work (power output) for the human body at rest, or a metabolic equivalent. One MET is approximately equal to a person's metabolism when seated and relaxed.

N

P

Physical Fitness

An overall measure of physical attributes including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, body composition and flexibility.

Power

Quick movement where the body is propelled either upward or outward; explosive strength; performance of work accomplished per unit of time.

Protein

A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen arranged into amino acids linked in a chain, responsible for building and repair of tissue, hormone production and enzyme function.

R

Recovery Heart Rate

Heart rate taken at the end of exercise after cool-down and stretch. The amount of time it takes to recover to pre-exercise heart rate is an indication of cardiovascular health.

Reps

Abbreviation for repetitions. One complete exercise that includes both concentric and eccentric movements.

Resting Heart Rate

The number of times the heart beats in one minute while the body is at rest. This is best calculated by measuring your pulse for one minute in the morning before getting out of bed. Record this number for five consecutive days and take the average to determine your resting heart rate.

S

Sets

A group of reps; as in one set of 12 reps.

Shin Splint

A term that applies to any pain in the front portion of the lower leg. May be caused by overuse, inflammation of muscles and tendons or small muscle tears.

Split-level console

Split level consoles available on certain premier models of Life Fitness Cross-Trainers, Lifecycle Exercise Bikes and Stairclimbers allow users to change workouts as well as view workout information on the console screen below, without the need to move books, magazines or other materials that may be covering the upper portion of the console.

Spot Reducing

A popular but false assumption that an individual can "burn" fat only in desired areas. Fat is not reduced selectively from exercised areas, but rather from total fat stored throughout the body.

Sprain

Often the result of sudden forceful movement, injury that damages ligaments as well as joints.

Static Stretch

Stretching/elongating a muscle and holding a steady point without bouncing for a period of 20 seconds.

Strain

Muscle pull; a stretch, tear or rip of the muscle or adjacent connective tissue, such as fascia or muscle tendon. Usually occurs from an excessive effort.

Strength

Amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert against resistance.

Strength Training

Working the muscles against external resistance to increase muscular strength, muscular endurance or muscular power.

T

Telemetry

A wireless telemetry system consists of a wireless chest strap that transmits heart rate information, and a receiver located in each cardio machine. The transmitted information is used to accurately display the users heart rate, and control one of many interactive heart rate programs (Heart Rate Zone Training) on Life Fitness cardio machines that automatically control the machines resistence or elevation to keep the user in their target heart rate zone.The process by which the heart rate is transmitted from a heart rate monitor chest strap to a receiver on a piece of cardiovascular equipment or in a wristwatch receiver.

Total Body Workout

Total body workouts, like on Life Fitness total-body elliptical cross-trainers, involve exercising all the body's major muscle groups at once in order to derive a variety of benefits. These benefits include increases muscle tone in the upper and lower body simultaneously, burning a greater number of calories in a shorter period of time than with exercise that works only the lower body, and a lower perceived exertion level while exercising since the work is being distributed over a greater portion of the body.

W

Watts

The expression of the mechanical rate of work (power output) for a device, such as a cardiovascular machine.

Wide Ride Pedals

Wide ride pedals found on Lifecycle upright and recumbent exercise bikes are specially designed to provide a more comfortable ride while accommodating a greater variety of shoe widths and sizes.