Elliptical machines are the latest craze in the fitness and gym world-they offer low-impact workouts, smooth performance, and a cardiovascular workout. However, these modern machines may not be the incredible answer to the perfect workout.
People are finding that they are such an "easy" workout, that they are not using any other machines or strength training of any kind. While it is very good to be active in any way you can, for those who are serious about building muscle and losing weight, the elliptical machine may not be for you.
Chances are, if you feel like you are not working as hard as when you are running, you aren't. The body naturally wants to take a bit of a break, and the elliptical will appeal to those looking to work out without even breaking a sweat some days.
If you want a more practical application to sports endurance, you are not going to get this through an elliptical machine. It is training your body to feel more like you are walking, than running.
Most sports require a fair amount of actual running. This is true of soccer, basketball, football, track, and more.
If you are training on an elliptical machine, you may find that you will not have the same level of endurance and strength you are expecting. When it comes down to it, the best kind of training is getting out there and doing exactly what you are training for.
If you are looking for a low-impact workout due to injury or joint pain and sensitivity, these machines may be a good solution for your workout problems after all. However, if you are simply stumbling into a low-impact workout with no real need for it, your body will not respond the way you may want it to.
Your body naturally responds to the shock of impact in exercise by building new bone cells. This is beneficial to you, because it can help to prevent osteoporosis when you get older and working out is not so easy.
Thus, if you can workout in a way that provides impact, it is better for the health of your bones. Once again, this is only if you don't already have existing joint or knee problems.
The next drawback is that you are not getting the same workout for your heart as you are with other forms of fitness such as running and biking, which get you more winded. When you are winded, you are participating in anaerobic exercise, or "exercise without oxygen."
This means your heart is beating fast, and is in the target zone for calorie burning and weight loss. This will help to promote better circulation throughout your body, which will in turn help to heal wounds, build muscle, prevent cellulite, and give you more energy.
The harder you work your heart, the less likely you are to have heart problems down the line, such as heart disease, attacks, congestive failure, etc. Protecting your heart from these things is essential to extending the length of your life.
Another reason you may not want to add this machine to your home gym is the expense and bulk that is inherent to it. They are very large pieces of equipment, and this is unavoidable.
The more professional -standard machines range from around one to two thousand dollars on average. They are much more expensive then exercise bikes, treadmills, and other forms of fitness.
If you pay attention to your body during your workout, you will notice that you are not feeling the same muscle burn and extension that you do when running or even fast walking. That is because while helping to improve your overall fitness, ellipticals do not give you the same muscular workout that will help to tone you.
They can also be hard to get into a real rhythm with. When you are running, it is important to develop that special rhythm that will help you to keep your endurance going, and get your heart rate into the target zone that it belongs in.
Ellipticals have several moving parts working several different parts of the body. This can be a real downside to those who like the freedom and simplicity that comes with others, like the treadmill.
When it comes down to it, whether or not the elliptical machine suits you is completely up to your personal preference. Weigh your different options, and find the equipment that will help you to work hard while still having fun.
Author Resource:-
Tommy Greene is a personal trainer and author of numerous articles relating to physical training and ellipticals. He has been helping others find a greater fitness level since the 80's.
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