The elliptical trainer machine earned its place alongside treadmills and exercise bikes as a popular piece of exercise equipment once trainers, athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts discovered the muscle-building and calorie-burning potential of the machine. Regular use of the elliptical trainer offers you the opportunity to reap numerous health and lifestyle-related benefits.
Aerobic Fitness
Developing your cardiovascular fitness level is a benefit to exercising on the elliptical trainer. When you raise and sustain your heart rate during exercise, you strengthen your heart muscle, which reduces your risk of developing heart-related diseases. Additionally, if you weigh 200 lbs. and use the elliptical trainer for 45 minutes, you can burn 688 calories, according to Health Status. If you need to lose weight, combine a reduction in dietary intake with exercising on the elliptical trainer to help speed up your weight loss.
Muscle Engagement
Unlike some cardiovascular exercises such as walking or jogging, using the elliptical trainer allows you to work your entire body. As you use the trainer, your leg muscles stay engaged during the elliptical movement required to push your legs up and around. For an added challenge, spend several minutes of your exercise session moving your feet in a backward motion. Many elliptical trainers have both hand rails for balance and movable handlebars. Choose the movable handlebars when working out to engage your upper body and tone your arms.
Low Impact
If you have ever injured yourself while running or performing complicated aerobic moves, you understand how beneficial a low-impact, yet strenuous workout can be. Using the elliptical trainer removes the dangers of landing wrong and twisting an ankle during exercise. Because your feet remain in contact with the elliptical's foot pad during your entire workout, your joints experience little impact. This enables you to exercise if you are recovering from an injury, or if your doctor has advised you to avoid jarring exercises.
Convenience and Use
Unlike some other exercise machines, the elliptical trainer has a relatively small footprint, making it convenient to have in your home. In addition to home use, most community centers, commercial gyms and even hotel gyms have ellipticals available. The machine requires no specialized instruction. Even if you are unfamiliar with exercise equipment, or find the treadmill console intimidating, starting the elliptical trainer is as easy as standing on the pedals and moving your feet forward. Once your feet are moving, the display console gives you information on distance traveled, time spent and possibly calories burned. Keep your back straight and maintain a good posture while using the trainer.
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