Why Use An Elliptical Trainer?

With treadmills, stair climbers, rowing machines and a whole host of other exercise machines out there, it can be hard to choose the right piece for your fitness program. All of these machines can provide a workout, but the elliptical trainer offers a unique combination of benefits.

What It Is

Many users of the elliptical trainer describe it as a combination of jogging, climbing, biking and cross-country skiing. The machine is designed to provide oval-like movement of the legs, similar to walking or running, but with foot pedals so your feet are never in midair. Most elliptical trainers also have moving handlebars to exercise your upper body as well as your lower body.

Health Benefits

A study in the June 2004 "Journal of Exercise Physiology" found that exercising on an elliptical trainer produced similar oxygen consumption and cardiovascular output as running on a treadmill. This kind of moderate-intensity aerobic activity reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oxygen consumption and cardiovascular output are also directly related to calorie expenditure, which means you can expect to burn a similar number of calories working out on an elliptical trainer as on a treadmill. The number of calories will vary depending on your weight, the intensity of your workout and the amount of time you spend on the elliptical trainer, but you can generally expect to burn a few hundred calories.

While many exercise machines focus on the upper body or the lower body, the elliptical trainer works the leg muscles and the upper body if you use the handlebars. The elliptical trainer can also be pedaled forward or backward, allowing you to alternate between the two directions and target different leg muscles.

Body Impact

Because your feet never leave the pedals on an elliptical trainer, there is much less impact on your joints than with many other exercises. According to MayoClinic.com, an elliptical trainer is less stressful on your knees, hips and back than running on a treadmill, making it a good option for older individuals, those who have suffered a past joint injury or anyone looking to protect their joints and avoid future injury.

Other Benefits

The elliptical trainer features a console that will time your workout and calculate an estimated number of calories burned. For individuals who need a distraction while exercising, the elliptical trainer can be used easily while watching TV, and fairly easily on some models, while reading a book or magazine.