The elliptical is a low-impact machine which helps you burn more calories than walking. It is also beneficial for people who suffer from joint pain or weak knees, ankles and hips. The trainer puts nearly no impact on your joints due to its design. The motion of an elliptical is similar to pedaling standing up.
Types
The elliptical works your quads, hamstrings, calves, buttocks and abdominal muscles. If you utilize the arms of the elliptical this will work your upper body as well. Pedaling backward targets the reverse side of your leg and buttock muscles giving you a well-rounded workout. Maintain good posture and you will work out your abs and back muscles.
Time Frame
The ideal workout on an elliptical is 20 to 30 minutes. After you have mastered this period of time on an elliptical and your muscles need to be further challenged, increase the resistance. Elliptical machines have a tension dial where you can tighten the tension from zero to nine different degrees to take your workout to the next level.
Features
Elliptical machines come in various styles, some have higher end computers which can calculate your calories, rpms and heart rate. Many run on a small celled battery, very few plug into the wall as the energy needed to work an elliptical comes from you.
Function
The motion of an elliptical machine mimics cross-country skiing. Combine the cardio from an elliptical machine with some weight training and you have a full body workout. Elliptical machines burn more than twice the calories of walking. A 150-lb. woman walking for 30 minutes will burn about 148 calories. Using an elliptical for the same amount of time will burn 387 calories.
Expert Insight
Aerobic exercise helps reduce blood pressure and controls blood lipid levels, diabetes and obesity. Exercise machines provide some of the best cardiovascular workouts and an elliptical gives a total body workout using many muscle groups.
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