An elliptical trainer is a stationary machine that is a cross between a stair climber and a cross-country ski machine. Its pedals move in a circular, or elliptical motion, while the handlebars move forward and backward. By using both upper-body and lower-body movements against the machine's resistance, you get a total-body workout that can build strength, endurance and stamina.

People with knee or back issues find an elliptical especially beneficial. The smooth, rotating motion of the pedals is easy on your joints. Unlike running on a treadmill, where your legs do a lot of pounding, there is no jarring or high impact on the body because your feet stay on the pedals the entire time. You can even move the pedals backward for more of a challenge.

Ellipticals provide a significant way to burn calories. Someone weighing 150 pounds can burn an average of 300 calories in 30 minutes. To boost this caloric burn, you can increase the incline and speed. Another option is to do interval training, during which you increase the intensity for one minute, go back to a comfortable pace for one minute and repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes.

An elliptical trainer will cost you $300 to $3,000 depending on the features. Higher-priced models have more settings and smoother mechanics.

When you're done, don't forget to stretch.

Have you ever been at the gym, kicking butt on the elliptical, only to look outside and see a perfect, gorgeous day that you're missing because you're in a gym? Or, do you like the idea of biking for fun, fitness, or transportation, but have less love for some of the things that come with biking (seat pain, hunched over position, catching on chain, etc.)? If so, you might want to get on the wait list for the elliptiGO Glide Bike.

The elliptiGO is a cross between a bike and an elliptical trainer, "combining the best aspects of running and cycling to create a fun and effective means of exercising outdoors." Since you're in a standing position while riding it, you have increased visibility and a distinct lack of pain in the genitals (because, be honest -- how many of you have opted out of a long bike ride because you knew how bad your privates would hurt afterward? I'm always amazed that true cyclists can ever have sex!).

It's easily modifiable, so you can go at your own pace using your own stride. There are eight gears, allowing you to work really hard and go as fast as 25 mph, or cruise along at closer to 6mph.

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In my teeny-tiny house, I don't have room for a dining room table, let alone a treadmill. But a girl can dream, right? With the fitness industry booming, it seems like there are so many cool gadgets to help whip you in to shape. And while I'm certain that there's no better place to get in shape than the outdoors, it's not always reasonable to get outside, especially when you are Canadian. So I sometimes find myself thinking of all the fabulous fitness equipment I would have if I had a) room for it, and b) loads of money that wasn't already allocated to bills.

So here's what I would have in my dream gym, in my dream house, if money wasn't an issue:

Each week, Debbie will share her goals, challenges, successes and tips on how to fit in fitness when caring for a rambunctious toddler.

I hate my elliptical trainer, there is no way around that. Exercising indoors (with the exception of yoga) causes an immediate response of an inner scream within me, until my sanity begins to teeter and I must relinquish all thoughts and actions of exercise to prevent a total breakdown.

Do I exaggerate? Sadly, only slightly.

This post was originally going to be about adding in a few quick bursts throughout the day, but I'll be coming back to that post. As I was experimenting with these supposed metabolism boosters, I started doing five minutes on the elliptical as soon as Owen went down for his nap each day.

There was actually a legitimate problem with this, other than that inner scream thing. By the time he'd nap, I'd be so hungry that I would shake with weakness while trying to exercise. A late morning snack is already part of my routine, so that wouldn't help solve this problem. So I would get to do the elliptical maybe twice a week if the timing was right.

So now I am off to brainstorm different ways to add quick bursts of exercise to my day, at different times. Maybe I'll think of some that I can tolerate for more than five minutes and that I actually enjoy doing . . .

This is definitely one for the 'what will they think of next' category. A company called ProForm has come up with a elliptical trainer that is also a video game -- you can actually kill aliens while you pedal away. The game is actually built into the machine, so it's not dangerous like playing a Gameboy on the machine would be. AND the best part is, the harder you work, the easier the game is -- you'll be so focused on winning the game, you'll hardly notice how much you're sweating.

I was skeptical at first, but let's face it -- working out on a machine can be b-o-r-i-n-g! Anyway to break it up and find extra motivation to work hard sounds like a great idea to me. What do you think?.

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A That's Fit commenter recently posed the question:

Which is better - walking on treadmill 4.8 miles per hour for 35 minutes or exercising on a stepper (stair climber) for 25 minutes at a brisk pace?

As a certified personal trainer, I can tell you that the answer is "neither." Surprised? This question highlights the simple truth that no one piece of cardiovascular training at the gym is going to provide a better workout. It's what you do while you're on them that makes a difference, not the type of machine.

Using a treadmill, stepper or a StairMaster (these are actually two different kinds of equipment ) are all good ways to increase your cardiovascular health and burn body fat. In this case, 4.8 miles per hour is fast enough to be a light jog for most people and a very high intensity workout. It's also done for 35 minutes, so the person doing this workout will probably burn more calories and give their heart more of a challenge than if they only worked out for 25 minutes.

But the question also says the person on the stepper is working at a "brisk pace" and it's hard to know how difficult that is. If the intensity, or how hard that workout is, is higher than it is when jogging on the treadmill, then that person will be getting just as much of a workout in a shorter period of time.

How can you figure this out by yourself? You can use Rate of Perceived Exertion, a simple scale used by fitness professionals all over the country.

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Walking into a gym for the first time can be intimidating. You're surrounded by a bunch of leotard-clad buff bodies who work the machines and weights like they were born doing it, and you have no choice but to ally yourself with a precarious looking exercise apparatus, pressing start while hoping you don't fall off and embarrass yourself in front of everyone.

If you want to start an exercise regime, but are afraid of this scenario, check out this article, which will help you get started on a treadmill, elliptical trainer, StairMaster, stationary bike or rowing machine.

If you're still wary of going, I suggest booking an introductory session with a personal trainer. Or, just go for it -- Trust me, it gets easier every time.

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