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Elliptical Trainer Benefits - What Are They?
Let's discuss elliptical trainer benefits . . . It is typical to find rows of elliptical trainers in gyms and commercial fitness clubs, but they are becoming staples in many homes as well. While treadmills and exercise bikes were seen as the best types of in-home fitness machines in the past, many people are discovering the significant benefits of going with an elliptical instead. What are the benefits of an elliptical machine? Let's examine them more closely. Five Key Elliptical Trainer Benefits 1. You can replicate the motions of walking, jogging, and sometimes stair stepping, all on one machine. 2. Since the pedals of an elliptical are suspended above the ground, your ankles, lower back and other joints do not feel as much impact. There is less risk of injury and pain when exercising intensely, since there is less joint pressure. 3. Pedals will typically move in reverse, so different muscles can be directly targeted during the workout. This allows you to target different muscle groups in different workouts, while adding some variety to the workout. 4. Most elliptical trainers have moving arm handles, so it turns into a whole-body workout. 5. Many people can burn more calories in a shorter period of time on an elliptical trainer. The motion really pulls the heart rate up fast and easily holds it there throughout the workout. These elliptical trainer benefits are perfect not only for users trying to lose or maintain weight, but also for those who want to get more activity in their daily lives or build up cardiovascular endurance. Athletes get just as much use from an elliptical as someone just trying to get some exercise at home. The versatility of the machine gives it a mass appeal to consumers. Elliptical Machine vs. Treadmill – Which is Best? The main difference between an elliptical trainer and a treadmill is the way the feet move during exercise. On a treadmill, feet strike the platform just as they would the ground when walking or jogging outdoors. On an elliptical, the pedals are raised from the ground and move along with the foot in a circular motion. Many people explain the motion of an elliptical trainer as walking on air, and that is what gives it the biggest advantage over a treadmill. The lower body does not bang against the deck of the machine, so there is much less stress and tension on the joints, muscles, and bones. Those with lower back problems can exercise at a more intense pace on an elliptical because it is so gentle on their back. This means they will get more out of their workouts and see more progress towards their goals. Many people find that they can pedal faster on an elliptical machine, getting their heart rate up higher and burning more calories in a shorter period of time. Others will report being more comfortable on a treadmill, since the motion feels more natural to walking. This usually comes down to the choice between front and rear drive elliptical trainers. Front drive elliptical trainers are very smooth and feel more like walking or jogging on flat ground. Rear drive elliptical trainers do have more of a stair stepping feel, which some people do not like. Those who want more of a natural walking stride can go with a front drive elliptical to feel more comfortable while placing lower impact on their bodies over the treadmill. How to Buy an Elliptical Machine Residential elliptical trainers tend to be more compact and affordable than commercial trainers used in fitness clubs. If you have the budget, you can purchase commercial quality machines for your home. The benefit of getting a health club quality machine is increased durability, since those machines are designed for constant use by many different people. This could be an advantage for homes where multiple people will be using the machine, or for users who expect to spend a lot of hours on their elliptical. The first decision is to decide between the front and rear drive elliptical machines. Most people go with the front drive, since it feels more like natural walking or jogging on the ground. Most elliptical trainers on the market will have the front drive, which simply means the mechanical components will be placed in the front of the machine. This also makes it easier to mount the machine, since the sides and rear of the machine are left open. Next, it is time to compare different makes and models of elliptical trainers to determine which one is best for your workout needs. You should consider all of the following areas: - Resistance Levels - Stride Length - Forward/Backward Pedal Motion - Number of Built-In Workouts - Power Incline - Heart Rate Monitoring - Comfort Features (fans, mp3 players, speakers, etc.) - Maximum User Weight Limit - Warranty The more resistance levels your elliptical contains, the more variety you can add into your workouts. As your cardiovascular capacity increases, you can raise the resistance to keep the workouts challenging and effective. Not every machine will have power incline, but it is another way to make the workout more challenging. The more built-in workout options, the more variety your workout sessions will have. 55 inches is standard for the stride length on low to mid-priced machines, though there are more models coming out with a 60 inch stride today. Users over six feet tall should consider the longer stride, though most users feel more than comfortable with 55 inches. Lower priced elliptical trainers often will have manual heart rate monitoring. This means you have to press your fingers or hands over grips on the handles to track your heart rate during workouts. If you can afford a higher priced machine, you can get wireless telemetry which allows you to wear a strap for constant monitoring throughout your workout. This is more advanced technology that does not come standard with all elliptical trainers today. A good shopping strategy is to decide the minimum features you want on your elliptical, and then seek out machines that meet those requirements. Read elliptical consumer reviews to determine the best model for your workout needs and your budget. Top 3 Recommended Elliptical Machines 1) Diamondback Fitness 1260EF Elliptical Trainer 2) Sole Elliptical Trainers 3) Horizon Fitness EX-59 Elliptical Trainer
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Copyright 2009 - 2012. Exercise-Equipment-Advisor.com.
All Rights Reserved. All trademarks used are properties of their respective owners.
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