When you think of getting help with your abs, you need to fix your mind on anatomy. The abdominal muscles consist of the rectus abdominis and obliques. The obliques run diagonally across the ribs, on the sides of the stomach. The overall goal is to create definition in your abs and have a low amount of fat. Both ellipticals and treadmills have a say in this matter.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise is performed in a continuous motion for an extended period of time. This type of training involves the arms, legs or both at the same time. When it comes to your abs, cardio helps burn fat, which needs to be removed so that you can see your ab muscles. In this respect, both the elliptical and the treadmill help out. The important thing is that you exercise long enough. To achieve weight loss, you need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise, five days a week.
Abdominal Contraction
The treadmill and elliptical are both operated from a standing position. When you use either machine, you have to tighten your abs to maintain good posture and balance. Since you are constantly moving your feet off the belt while running or walking, the treadmill causes you to work your abs slightly more, but you still need to keep your abs tight while pushing and pulling the poles on an elliptical.
Perfect Form
To experience any positive effect on your abs, you have to use good form on both the elliptical and treadmill. When using the treadmill, never place your hands on the handrail. Only use it when first getting onto the machine. If you lean on the handrail, you will not only take work away from your abs, but you will also cheat yourself out of caloric expenditure. When using the elliptical, keep your feet flat on the pedals, shoulders lifted and back straight. Move your arms and legs back and forth smoothly in an alternating motion.
High-Intensity Training
The intensity at which you exercise will have an impact on your ab workout. Whenever you sprint on the treadmill or work out at a faster pace on the elliptical, you are forced to contract your abs with more emphasis than you would with moderate-intensity training. This produces maximal power output. As an added benefit, you burn a higher number of calories while you exercise and well after you are done. The lingering effect of this high-caloric expenditure is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. By using the treadmill or elliptical this way, you not only feel your abs working, but you also shed the pounds of fat on your stomach faster. Your best bet is to alternate back and forth from high to low intensity.
Impact
If you have excess belly fat along with joint problems, your best option is the elliptical. Elliptical machines cause less impact on the hips, back and knees than treadmills.
Member Comments