Elliptical Trainer Health Issues

An elliptical trainer is the best all-around exercise machine for fitness because it provides a good cardio workout and it keeps you motivated day-in and day-out, according to a panel of fitness trainers and scientists who were queried by the New York Times in 2005. However, the panel stressed that the best practice for avoiding health issues is cross-training, or the practice of rotating among a variety of different machines.

Overuse Injuries

The USU Consortium for Health and Military Performance reports that two-thirds of elite athletes experience overtraining symptoms, which include injuries. Even if you aren't an elite athlete, if you use an elliptical trainer five days a week for 30 minutes or more every day, you are at risk of shoulder, hip or gluteus muscle injuries. To minimize overuse injuries, maintain proper posture on the elliptical and practice cross-training principles. When using the elliptical trainer, don't lean forward to grab the poles; instead, keep your shoulders back and you head up advises the American Council on Sports Medicine.

Lack of Impact

Most comparisons of elltical trainers and other cardio machines stress the positive benefits of the low-impact workout provided by the elliptical. The "New York Times" panel gave the elliptical a score of 76 out of 100 on "wear-and-tear" versus 49 for a treadmill. And Health magazine says that because your feet don't lift at all, the elliptical has "absolutely zero impact."

But the down-side of low-impact is that your bones aren't challenged to grow stronger and denser. Women in general, and older women specifically, need to keep their bones strong though weight-bearing and impact exercise to prevent the bone loss that comes from decreased levels of estrogen, according to Miriam Nelson, author of "Strong Women Stay Young."

Less Vigorous Cardio Workout

While the "New York Times" panel lauded the elliptical trainer as providing a fun workout that motivated users to keep exercising, they also said that it gives users a less vigorous workout. They scored the elliptical trainer 80 out of 100 on its cardio benefit as compared to 88 for the cardio benefit of a treadmill. One panelist said it was "easier to coast" when using an elliptical trainer than a treadmill.

Balance Issues

There is a slight learning curve in finding your balance and coordinating your arms and legs when you first begin using an elliptical trainer. Michael Berry, one of the "New York Times" panelists and a professor health and exercise science, said that people with balance issues need to be careful.