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York Fitness Exercise Bikes

"There are more cardiovascular machines and weights in the world branded “York” than collectively all other manufacturers!"

York has been one of the biggest names in the global fitness equipment industry for almost 75 years. York started life as 2 different companies – the first was established in the USA in 1932 and operated in the world of Olympic Weightlifting, and the second was established in Canada in 1936 and began developing weights and benches for use in the home.

York Canada branched out all over the world and expanded out into other fitness categories so that by 2004 it had offices in the UK, Australia and Taiwan, distributors in 50 countries and a product range that had as much cardiovascular in it as strength equipment.

York USA continued to operate in the Olympic Weightlifting arena for many years, as well as widening it’s product range to include commercial weight training equipment. It’s founder, Bob Hoffman, was the coach to the USA’s Olympic Weightlifting team from 1948 to 1964 and was designated the ‘Father of World Weightlifting’ by the Olympic Weightlifting Federation for his part in the history and development of weightlifting as a sport. He even provided advice on youth fitness to Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Kennedy.

In 2004 the 2 companies came together, meaning York was truly a global brand for the first time. Combining the strengths of the respective companies, one in the domestic fitness market and the other in commercial, made perfect sense and has created a company with a complete offering for the global fitness market.

York fitness home products range from york dumbbells, barbells, weight benches and york multigyms to york treadmills, york exercise bikes, york cross trainers, gym balls, and much more besides.

York fitness commercial gym equipment is used by high profile sports teams such the LA Lakers, Washington Redskins and Lions in the US and UK premier league rugby teams such as Northampton Saints, Saracens, Harlequins and Borders.

This extensive company history has allowed york to build up a wealth of experience that goes into each and every one of york products.

Training safely

You should always start with a warm-up for three to six minutes, depending on how fit you are. This is to gradually increase your heart and breathing rates and body temperature.

Once you’re at the right level, keep this up for as long as you want before cooling down by gradually decreasing the intensity of your exercise to it return your heart rate and breathing to normal, and by stretching all of the muscle groups that you've been using, again for three to six minutes.

How much, how soon?

Health Education Authority (HEA) guidelines suggest that you should aim to build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least five days a week. Avoid too much too soon as this might do more harm than good and increase your chance of injury.

As a general rule, don’t increase intensity or time by more than ten per cent a week. How quickly you progress depends on many factors, including your current fitness level and the amount of time you have to exercise.

Making progress

You progress by changing the intensity of a training session. Once you get used to running on a treadmill for instance, exercise on exercise bike or elliptical cross trainers you can start experimenting with the programmes.

During a run, you can change the intensity by altering the speed and gradient. You can do this by either increasing the average speed and gradient over the whole run, or by changing the length of active rests between intervals, and how long the intervals last. Less rest equals greater intensity.

Some machines have programmes that will help you do this. For example, in the Interval Training programme of one of our Best Buys, you will find yourself on a series of increasingly steeper hills, alternating with valleys (active rest phases).

Running shoes

Choose your running shoes carefully to keep your feet comfortable and avoid injury.

Just trying on a shoe isn’t enough to tell if it’s right for you. Look for a dedicated running shop with staff who can advise you.

It’s best to try on running shoes later on in the day, as feet tend to be tired and more swollen after a workout, so you’ll need a shoe to accommodate this.

If you buy from a running shop, you may be encouraged to run around outside the shop before you buy. Shoes should have good grip.

The right kit

As well as having the right running shoes, It’s important to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, so that you don’t overheat.

You should always have water nearby to prevent dehydration. Something to stave off boredom might help. Music is a good idea but if you watch television it might distract you from your running.

Beginner’s luck

For a beginner, first look for things that will keep you interested. The control panel should be simple and quick to use. It should have enough gradient (incline) or resistance, and speed-based programmes to provide a challenge and stave off boredom.

It may also be important to you that the treadmill, bike or cross-trainer is reasonably quiet, and folds away easily and neatly between sessions.

Moving up

If you’re in serious training, you will need an accurate speed display. Otherwise, when you run outdoors it may feel harder than your treadmill training sessions (you should always set the treadmill to a 1% gradient to simulate the effects of wind resistance).

You’ll want a more comprehensive range of programmes than a beginner, which may mean getting to grips with a more complicated console.

You are more likely to want heart rate controlled programmes and be able to create you own user profiles for alternative programmes.

You’ll want a large, comfortable belt that doesn’t slow down with foot contact.

As a keen runner, you may be willing to put up with more noise and a bigger machine. But of course, that could depend on where you live and who lives with you!

• York 2 in 1 Cycle/Rowing Machine
• York c201 upright exercise bike
• York c202 upright exercise bike
• York Diamond c301 exercise bike
• York Diamond c302 exercise bike
• York c102 upright exercise bike
• York c101 upright exercise bike
• York xc530 2 in 1 elliptical/cycle