The elliptical trainer is one of the most popular exercise machines on the market, even outnumbering treadmills in some gyms. Elliptical trainers came on the fitness market in the mid-1990s and were immediately recognized for their ability to provide the same motion as running but without the impact. Elliptical trainers are made for gym and home use.
Cardiovascular Workout
One of the main benefits of an elliptical trainer is that it provides an effective cardiovascular workout. Cardio is important for burning fat and calories and for strengthening your heart to prevent medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Working out on an elliptical can burn almost 300 calories in 30 minutes, according to "Fitness" magazine. Since it is a non-impact exercise, some people find they can work out longer with an elliptical than with an activity such as running.
Strength Building
Elliptical trainers can help you build lean muscle mass throughout your lower body, including your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes. The increased muscle will help speed up your metabolism as well as sculpt and tone your legs. Elliptical trainers work on resistance and the higher you set the resistance the more muscle you will build in your leg. Be careful, though: Setting the resistance too high for your ability level might lead to injuries. Try to find a point where the workout is challenging and requires an exertion level of about seven or eight on a scale of 10.
Calorie Count
One of the drawbacks of elliptical trainers compared with other cardio workouts is that it does not burn as many calories. For example, "Fitness" magazine reports that 30 minutes of running at a pace of 6 mph burns about 405 calories, vigorous stationary cycling burns 425 calories and working out on a rowing machine burns approximately 355 calories. Elliptical trainers are included on "Fitness" magazine's "10 Best Calorie-Burning Exercises" list, but they are toward the bottom.
Resistance Level
Elliptical trainers use resistance and many people fail to challenge themselves by setting the resistance at a level that is too easy. This will severely lessen the amount of calories and subsequently the amount of fat that you are burning. When the trainer is not at the optimal resistance level, it works on momentum, which means that the machine is working harder than you are.
Member Comments