In gyms across the country are exercise machines, and right next to the treadmill, the elliptical is one of the most popular machines for gyms to have. Elliptical machines are growing in popularity and are gaining on treadmills in overall sales.
Elliptical machines offer the benefit of a low-impact workout, while exercising both your upper and lower body. They are particularly appealing to an aging baby boomer generation because of their low impact nature on the joints; the knees and hips in particular.
These fitness trainers can be forgiving to aging joints. They have also been proven to reduce the stress and strain on your legs through a circular motion.
Your feet never leave the pedals, so you get the feeling of walking in midair. In addition, there is no reverse action.
The shape of the movement mimics the natural path of the ankle, knee and hip joints during walking, jogging, or running. In comparison, when you walk or run, every step causes a jolt to your body.
It is suggested that runners impact up to 2.5 times their body weight. This affects not only the joints in your legs, but also your lower back.
To further reduce the strain to your joints, many fitness trainers are equipped with articulating foot pedals. These pedals conform to your stride, so you only take as long of a step as you feel comfortable with.
Not only do your feet never leave the pedal, but also the pedal adjusts to the angle of the stride. In comparison to a fitness machine like a stationary bicycle, an exercise trainer provides a weight-bearing exercise.
Weight-bearing exercises are important to inhibit the onset of osteoporosis. What makes an fitness trainer unique is the combined upper and lower body workout.
In fact, there is no other fitness equipment that simultaneously works as many muscle groups, which is why many refer to an elliptical as a cross-trainer. With this type of machine you get a workout that utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps, and biceps.
The obvious benefit from exercising more muscles is that you tone more of your body. In addition, you also optimize your energy expenditure.
You end up burning more calories and fat in less time. It is also suggested that there is a reduced perceived rate of exertion with an elliptical workout.
You are actually exercising harder than you would normally perceive. Of course, to get the full benefit of the dual action workout, it is important that you distribute the resistance between your upper and lower body.
Many people who exercise on a fitness trainer place most of the resistance on their lower body and only go through the motions with the upper handlebars. Like a treadmill, elliptical trainers are equipped with a variety of challenging exercise programs.
These programs mimic hill climbing or interval training through alternating resistance. Many exercise machines are also equipped with wireless heart rate control.
This devise allows you to optimize your workout by letting your heart rate control the resistance level. A benefit of an elliptical trainer over a treadmill is reduced maintenance.
Due to the low-impact circular motion, and because of fewer moving parts, a fitness machine is less likely to require service. You do not have to worry about belts, motors, rollers and bearings burning out.
Though the benefits on this exercise machine are abundant, there are a few drawbacks associated with it. Some people find the dual action, elliptical exercise awkward and are more comfortable simply walking or jogging on a treadmill.
In fact, several models offer only the lower body exercise, which can be very limiting. To many people, the dual action workout is what makes an elliptical trainer so appealing.
If you have not tried an elliptical trainer, get to your local fitness equipment store and give it a test. Better yet, pay for a day pass at a health club, and put one through a strenuous workout.
See if you notice a difference on how you feel during the workout and keep track of how many calories you burn. Also let how you feel in the morning play a factor in whether or not you want to purchase the machine.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels is an accomplished expert in health and fitness. He recommends the bestElliptical Trainers you can find in the market.
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