Aerobic exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so elliptical trainers are good for anyone who wants to develop muscles and improve their cardiovascular system. Elliptical trainers are also effective choices for those who want to burn calories to lose weight. In half an hour of elliptical training, a 185-lb. person burns 400 calories, according to Harvard Medical School. If you weigh less than that, you'll burn fewer calories.
Function
Elliptical machines are good for people who want an effective, full-body exercise option but don't have much space for a full home gym. Elliptical machines that have moving handles allow you to perform cardiovascular exercise that incorporates your entire body. Other types of machines -- stair steppers, stationary bicycles and treadmills -- only exercise your lower body.
Features
Use an elliptical machine that provides the features that are good for you. Workout displays let you watch your progress while you exercise. Heart monitors and target heart-rate programs ensure you exercise at an appropriately intense level. Other features, such as warranty, ease-of-use, portability and safety shut-down mechanisms also might be of interest to you, but don't waste money on features you won't use. If you have minimal space, or if you want to store the elliptical machine when it's not in use, consider buying a folding elliptical trainer.
Incline
A helpful feature of elliptical machines is that you can adjust the intensity level of the low-impact exercise. Adjusting the incline is one way to add intensity. Steeper inclines cause your body to work harder, leading to greater fitness gains. A low incline setting mimics the strides of a cross-country skier, making it a suitable exercise for beginners. A medium incline setting creates a pedal motion somewhat like a bike. A high incline setting is the most difficult. It imitates the function of a stair stepper.
Considerations
If you're considering purchasing an elliptical trainer, test different models to determine whether they are good for you. For instance, step onto the machine to see how well the pedals work. Note if your feet slip due to the surface of the pedals or if the pedals offer an awkward stride that makes it difficult for you. Exercising on the trainer before purchasing it will allow you to detect any potential problems.
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