What Exercise Machine Advertises That It Is Better Than An Elliptical?

The quest by men and women for perfect physiques has made exercise a passion for many and words such as "cardio," "reps" and "resistance" part of the popular vernacular. At the same time, obesity has reached record levels, largely due to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. An elliptical machine provides a calorie-burning workout, but depending on your fitness goals, other equipment might better suit your needs.

Elliptical Benefits

If you're new to exercise, you may enjoy an elliptical machine because of its ease of use and your ability to control its speed. Your feet remain planted on the planks so the elliptical also provides a low-impact workout. Some elliptical machines also feature movable arms. This can help give you an upper body workout as well as enhance the calorie-burning effect of elliptical exercise. The elliptical, compared most often to the treadmill, provides a similarly vigorous workout. You may prefer a treadmill if you want a rainy day replacement for running outdoors. Treadmill and elliptical users users experience nearly identical oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, according to a conducted by Greg A. Brown and other researchers at the University of Nebraska and published in the June 2010 "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research."

Full Body Workouts

If you want a full-body workout, two options include Total Gym and Bowflex. The Total Gym, which requires no set-up, can be tucked under a bed after use. Total Gym, popularized by Hollywood martial artist Chuck Norris, operates on a pulley system that uses your weight to create resistance and exercise your whole body. Bowflex provides similar benefits but works on a rod system. It requires set up. The company will provide this service, but the fee will add considerably to the cost of the machine.

Stationary Bikes

If you have lower limb injuries or have difficulty maintaining your balance, you may prefer a stationary bike to the elliptical machine. Upright bikes, similar in appearance to standard bicycles, may offer additional workout for your glutes because of the hip extension required during pedaling. Recumbent bikes offer back support and provide less stress on your joints. "Consumer Reports" magazine likes the Stamina recumbent for its low price tag and its electronic resistance controls, but found that some testers' feet hit the floor when pedaling. NordicTrack and Schinn provide reliable upright bikes, but added features such as built-in fans don't provide value. You can also purchase a bicycle trainer, a device on which to mount your regular bike.

Considerations

The best exercise machine is one that you will use. Frank Booth and other researchers at the Dalton Cardiovascular Institute, the University of Missouri and the University of Pennsylvania found that physical inactivity contributes greatly to about 20 deadly chronic diseases. Their report, published in the July 2002 edition of "Journal of Applied Physiology" advocated a return to an active lifestyle for which we are genetically built. They suggest that any physical activity -- completed on any exercise machine or without any equipment at all -- will help you live a longer and healthier life. Older persons who find it difficult to participate in both aerobic and resistance training exercises may benefit from the use of whole-body vibration, a machine that stimulates muscle movement.