An elliptical exercise machine is a stationary piece of cardiovascular equipment that can be described as somewhat of a mesh between a treadmill and a stationary bike. The user stands upright, but her feet remain on top of foot pedals that move in a predetermined pathway. The exercise movement mimics the running technique, but takes out the impact on the body from striking the ground that running requires.
History
In 1995, Precor released the first elliptical exercise machine. With early studies indicating the equipment was an effective cardiovascular alternative to treadmills, they quickly became popular and many additional companies released their own elliptical models. Precor continued to lead the way, however, as Precor's Larry Miller further developed the elliptical machine to more accurately mimic running technique in the 2000s.
Technique
To exercise on an elliptical exercise machine, the user stands upright on pedals and shuffles his feet back and forth within a predetermined elliptical pathway. Hands are typically placed on stationary grips that are located at approximately chest height, but some models offer an upper body component, where the user grips handles and pushes and pulls them as the feet move.
Benefits
An elliptical exercise effectively elevates the heart rate and thus, with continued use, develops the cardiovascular system. The increase in heart rate also increases the body's metabolic rate and thus is efficient in burning calories and helping to burn body fat. Exercising on an elliptical machine is very low impact, so the chance of injury while exercising is extremely low. The equipment is also fairly simple to use, even for beginners.
Function
Elliptical exercise machines can run either by front drive of rear drive. Front drive systems are typically used on less expensive models and can sometimes cause the pedal movement to be jerky and awkward. Rear drive systems are considered to be much smoother and more comfortable, and are typically found on more expensive models.
Features
Depending on the make and model, elliptical machines typically have a variety of features that allow a user to tweak the machine and work out as she prefers. All machines will offer adjustable resistance, while only more elaborate models will allow the incline to be adjustable. Some elliptical models also have a moving upper body component. Most machines now offer heart rate monitors, where users can grip metal clips and get a real-time read of their heart rate. Models will differentiate in stride length, with some offering a much longer stride.
Considerations
Despite the elliptical machine's effectiveness in improving cardiovascular health and facilitating body fat loss, according to the calorie counter available on Health Status.com, a 150-lb individual will burn approximately 413 calories with an hour of elliptical exercise, while she can burn 684 calories in the same amount of time by running on a treadmill at six miles per hour. Those who are concerned with avoiding the joint impact of running may still prefer the elliptical machine, but those who are interested in the most efficient way to burn calories and lose weight may want to consider a treadmill or simply running outside.
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