Elliptical machines are fitness products that allow users to simulate the act of walking or running. They are designed to use a motion similar to pedaling, which helps to minimize the stress placed on the joints in the legs and hips. One consequence of this distinct motion is that users may find it difficult to determine how far they are traveling over the course of a workout.
Circumference And Distance
To determine the distance you are walking, you will first have to figure out the circumference of the elliptical's wheel. The circumference is a measurement of the distance around the edge of the wheel. Because the elliptical's axles are mounted near this edge, the circumference also indicates the path that the axles travel over the course of each revolution. If you were to unroll this circular path into a straight line, you would have the distance that your foot has traveled in a single revolution.
Calculation
Use a tape measure to determine the distance from the center of the elliptical's wheel to one of the axles that connect to the foot pedals. This will give you the radius of the elliptical's wheel. Multiply this number by 2 to determine the wheel's diameter. Multiply the diameter by pi to determine the wheel's circumference; if you do not have access to a calculator, substitute 3.14 for pi to get a rough estimate.
Conversion
Once you have determined the circumference of the wheel in inches, the next step is to convert your units into the desired one. Divide the circumference by 12 to convert the measurement from inches to feet. There are 5,280 feet in a mile, so the next step is to divide your previous result by 5,280. This final result will tell you how much of a mile you are covering with each revolution.
Multiplication
Now that you know how far you are traveling with each revolution, the next step is to multiply this number by the total number of revolutions you have completed over the course of your workout. While you can try to keep track of your total revolutions in your head, many models of elliptical come equipped with a reed switch installed in the device's base unit. This is a sensor unit that keeps track of each revolution and displays the result on the machine's console unit. Some models will even perform the distance calculations automatically, saving you from going through all of this trouble.
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