Is it Alright to Do the Elliptical Twice?

Is it Alright to Do the Elliptical Twice?
Photo Credit IT Stock/Polka Dot/Getty Images

An elliptical trainer allows you to perform cardiovascular exercise. Since cardiovascular exercise uses oxygen as your heart and breathing rate increases, you can participate in this activity for as long as your endurance lasts. If you want to perform an elliptical workout twice, you should be able to do so as long as you do not have physical restrictions placed upon you by your doctor.

Cardiovascular

An elliptical trainer is an exercise machine in which you stand on two pedals that move forward and backward in a oval motion. The goal when using an elliptical machine is to participate in a cardiovascular workout. When exercising on an elliptical, your heart rate will increase allowing oxygen to flow to your working muscles. Since an elliptical uses oxygen and does not deplete your muscles of oxygen, you can participate in this activity to improve your endurance.

Daily

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise. MayoClinic.com says that you can complete your 30 minutes in one session, or split it up into two or three daily workout sessions. You could perform two daily sessions of 15 minutes on your elliptical trainer to improve your overall fitness. As your endurance increases, you can increase the amount of time spent in your sessions.

Weekly

If you want to use your elliptical trainer twice weekly, you can include this cardiovascular exercise into your workout program with no restrictions. Since the ACSM recommends 30 minutes of daily exercise, on the alternate days it is still important to participate in a cardiovascular activity. Choose from other aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, running, cycling and rowing.

Same Session

If you want to include two elliptical trainer workouts into one back-to-back session, you may find your mind failing before your body quits. The repetitive motion on the elliptical trainer may be boring. As a solution, perform your first elliptical workout and then participate in 15 to 20 minutes of strength training before returning for your second elliptical workout. This type of interval training will help to increase the number of calories you burn and aid in weight loss.

References

Article reviewed by Jessica Lyons Last updated on: May 26, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments