Elliptical trainers provide a non-impact method of exercise to increase cardiovascular health and assist in weight loss. Simulating a natural running motion, elliptical machines work large muscle groups, which consequently increase heart rate and burn calories.
Calories Burned
According to the Harvard Medical School website, "An hour of regular elliptical exercise burns 540 calories in a 125-lb. person, and a 185-lb. person expends 800 calories." This fact provides evidence that body weight plays an important role in calorie expenditure.
Other Factors
"Factors that determine calorie burn other than body weight include age, gender and muscle mass," reports MayoClinic.com. Men generally use more energy per activity than women due to having lower body fat percentages and more muscle mass. As both men and women mature, calorie burn rates gradually decline.
Calories In vs. Out
Achieving weight goals is a simple equation of calories consumed versus calories burned. If weight loss is the goal, calorie burn needs to be greater than calories consumed. Calories should not be drastically reduced, as this can be potentially unsafe and counterproductive for weight loss.
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