Benefits of Elliptical Machines
Have
you noticed how many elliptical trainers are at your local health club?
Elliptical machines are growing in popularity and are gaining on treadmills in
overall sales. Ellipticals offer the benefit of a low-impact workout, while
exercising both your upper and lower body. They are particularly appealing to
an aging baby boomer generation. Elliptical trainers can be forgiving to aging
joints.
Low Impact Exercise
with Elliptical Machines
Elliptical
trainers reduce the stress and strain on your legs through an elliptical
motion. Your feet never leave the pedals. It is like walking in midair. In
addition, there is no reverse action. The shape of the elliptical movement
mimics the natural path of the ankle, knee and hip joints during walking,
jogging or running. In comparison, when you walk or run, every step causes a
jolt to your body. It is suggested that runners impact up to 2.5 times their
body weight. This affects not only the joints in your legs, but also your lower
back.
Foot Pedals: To further
reduce the strain to your joints, many elliptical trainers are equipped with
articulating foot pedals -- pedals that conform to your stride. Not only do
your feet never leave the pedal, but also the pedal adjusts to the angle of the
elliptical stride.
Weight-Bearing Exercise: In comparison
to a fitness machine like a stationary bicycle, an elliptical trainer provides
a weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercises are important to inhibit
the onset of osteoporosis.
Dual Action Workout
What
makes an elliptical trainer unique is the combined upper and lower body
workout. In fact, there is no other fitness equipment that simultaneously works
as many muscle groups. That is why many refer to an elliptical as a
cross-trainer.
With an elliptical trainer, you get a
workout that utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps
and biceps. The obvious benefit from exercising more muscles is that you tone
more of your body. Furthermore, you also optimize your energy expenditure. You
end up burning more calories and fat in less time. It is also suggested that
there is a reduced perceived rate of exertion with an elliptical workout. You
are actually exercising harder then you would normally perceive.
Of course, to get the full benefit of
the dual action workout, it is important that you distribute the resistance
between your upper and lower body. Many people who exercise on an elliptical
trainer place most of the resistance on their lower body and only go through
the motions with the upper handlebars.
Programs: Like a
treadmill, elliptical trainers are equipped with a variety of challenging
exercise programs. These programs mimic hill climbing or interval training
through alternating resistance. Many ellipticals are also equipped with
wireless heart rate control, which allows you to optimize your workout by
letting your heart rate control the resistance level.
Lower Maintenance
with Elliptical Trainers
A benefit of an
elliptical trainer over a treadmill is reduced maintenance. Due to the low-impact
elliptical motion, and because of fewer moving parts, an elliptical trainer is
less likely to require service. You do not have to worry about belts, motors,
rollers and bearings burning out.
