An elliptical machine is a type of cardiovascular equipment used from an upright position. In contrast to treadmills, elliptical machines are less stressful on your knees, hips and back according to MayoClinic.com. This makes them a valuable calorie-burning tool if you have any issues with your joints.
Significance
When you work out on a treadmill or indoor bike, you have to use a lot of effort, called rate of perceived exertion, to perform exercise. Elliptical machines work from an upright position with your hands and feet fixed on movable pedals and poles. The rate of perceived exertion is lower on the elliptical, making it feel like you aren't working as hard. In reality, you are working hard, and this allows to exercise at consistent high intensity to get a maximal caloric expenditure.
Calories Burned
When it comes to caloric expenditure on the elliptical, the size of your body will have an impact. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., you will burn about 775 calories with a 60-minute elliptical session. If you weigh 200 lbs., you will burn over 1,030 calories. The bodies of people who are larger or have more muscle burn up more calories, even at rest, according to MayoClinic.com.
Effects
An elliptical trainer calorie burn is high because the elliptical machine uses all of the major muscle groups according to the All Ellipticals website. The glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves all get worked on the lower body, and the chest, shoulders, back and arms get worked on the upper body. The obliques and abdominals also get called into play to stabilize the body and to generate power. The more of your body that you involve with exercise, the more calories you will burn.
Features
Elliptical machines have various features that can impact caloric expenditure. The reverse feature allows you to glide backward, which will work your muscles differently and possibly raise your caloric expenditure. You can also adjust the resistance. This will make you have to push and pull the handles and glide on the pedals with more intensity. If you have to work harder, you will burn more calories. Ellipticals also have an incline feature. Combined with added resistance, this would impact your caloric output even more.
Considerations
Elliptical trainers are also made without hand-held poles. Even the type with the poles have handrails under the console that you can hold on to during your workouts. Being that you are not using your upper body, this can reduce the amount of calories you burn with your workouts.
Misconceptions
With some ellipticals, you can input information like your age, weight and height to get a caloric expenditure during your workouts. Be aware that this is not always precise. It is more meant to be an estimation to help you keep track through an ongoing basis.
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