A Look at the Elliptical Machine

The elliptical machine (also known as the cross trainer) has grown in popularity in the fitness community. They’re found in almost every fitness room across the globe, and it’s not a secret as to why. Elliptical trainers are a great addition to a gym, or home, because of their unique designs, comfort, and the exercise they deliver. Most elliptical trainer users are very pleased with the workouts that they get by using the machines.

The Design:

At first glance, most people describe an elliptical machine as a bike/stair-climber mix. Their designs make working out seem effortless, yet still give way to great results. Most elliptical trainers are designed to let the person on them have full control over the speed, while the machine can control the tension of the pedals.

The Pedals:

The pedals are set on a track that allows them to move in an oval, reducing the jarring and joint strain often associated with treadmills, or stair-climbers. This track, in some elliptical machine designs, can be raised and lowered depending on the intensity of the workout. Traditionally, however, only the tension is heightened, making the legs work harder, however keeping the joints safe.

The Control Panel:

There are some elliptical machines that do not have a control panel, but most high quality cross trainers do. This is where the length of the workout, intensity, and personal information of the person is inputted. Some elliptical trainers actually have preprogramed workouts for those seeking to build up stamina, lose weight, build cardiovascular strength, or wish to customize a program.

The Cost:

Although buying your own elliptical trainer would cost a pretty penny, there are many who do, and find a lot of enjoyment out of owning their own cross trainer. You can find inexpensive elliptical trainers for $200 or lower. Though, if you’re looking for a heavier, higher quality option, you might want to look at purchasing a top brand. These cost much more, ranging anywhere from 2,000 dollars to close to 5,000 dollars a piece.

So as you can see with this very basic information, the elliptical machine is in a completely different league than a treadmill, bike, or stair-climber. Cross trainers are gaining a great amount of popularity due to their sleek and quiet design, low joint impact, and fair prices. They will continue to rise.

If you’re still unsure whether or not an elliptical trainer is right for you or not, you could always go to a gym or fitness center and give on a test drive. It’s a safe bet that if you give it a fair try, you will not be disappointed, or choose to exercise with anything else.

How Effective Are Elliptical?

There is no doubt that exercise is good for everyone. There is simply no other way to stay lean and create the body you have always wanted. The type of exercise you perform will depend on your physical condition, stamina, and health related needs.

While walking on a treadmill can be beneficial for many people, ellipticals are more effective in creating the walking experience without the impact on the joints. Knees, hips and ankles receive less pressure from ellipticals than when walking on the street or when using a treadmill, providing the exercise needed without the potential for joint damage. Ellipticals are effective for weight loss programs as well as for cardio workouts.

Proper Posture Is Necessary For Using Ellipticals

When working out on ellipticals it is important to maintain a proper posture. You should use the handles, that move the arms along with the legs, to help you remain upright to maintain a straight alignment of the spine. With the moving bars to hold onto, ellipticals are effective at improving upper body mobility.

Standing on the equipment, ellipticals are effective at keeping the back straight throughout the entire program will further prevent joint pain, making them a popular choice among older persons looking to improve their cardiac health. Some plans recommend placing a flat object on the head, such as a book and holding it there while walking to help maintain the proper posture.

Ellipticals Are Effective Only When They Are Used

Through regular use, ellipticals are effective for weight loss, building lower body strength and in providing a cardio-vascular workout for overall general health. Ellipticals can also be used while wearing a weight vest. This will provide more resistance and a tougher workout for your muscles. But the key phrase here is, "through regular use."

When most people buy gym memberships or home gym equipment they never use them. You need to realize that it takes a lot of hard work to stay fit. To benefit from an elliptical machine you need to be using it at least five days a week for thirty minutes to an hour each session.

Also don't disregard your diet. Health and fitness are two different things and it is important to realize that in order to fully benefit from using an elliptical machine you need to do it conjunction with a healthy diet that includes mostly organic fruits and vegetables. Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!

Cybex Arc Trainer vs Elliptical Trainers

Cybex Arc Trainers are a great piece of fitness equipment. The development of the elliptical trainer has transformed the fitness centers and gyms across the country. The ability to do a full body workout with little or no impact allows you to burn more calories by exercising a larger group of muscles on your body. Elliptical trainers are in many cases replacing treadmills in local gyms and YMCA's. When elliptical trainers first appeared the feel of using this new piece of fitness equipment was compared to running on air.

However some users had trouble using the new cross trainers. Probably the largest complaint came in the form of knee discomfort. Almost the entire body motion on an elliptical trainer is through the knee. If you have a preexisting knee injury then the use of an elliptical trainer was at times uncomfortable. Some people would even warmed up their knees on a treadmill prior to climbing on an elliptical trainer. However if you talk to most elliptical trainer users you will find very few complaints. One additional problem comes from users that lean to far forward while using an elliptical machine.

This puts undue strain on the back leading to cramps or post exercise back pain. Correct posture while using any piece of fitness equipment is important and this is especially true when using any cross trainer. Cybex has created a new cross trainer called the Arch Trainer that seeks to change the fundamental motion used in most ellipticals.

The Cybex Arc Trainer comes in several models all of which are considered commercial grade fitness equipment. They are priced accordingly with even the in home models exceeding $4000.00. Most people first come in contact with the Cybex Arc Trainer in their local fitness center or gym. Its flywheel is located at the front of the arc trainer just like the older Cybex elliptical trainers. The location of the pedals appears to be located slightly further to the rear of the arc trainer then you would find on many elliptical trainers. Upon mounting the arc trainer you almost immediately find that you are standing in a more upright position. As you begin to make your stride you will feel your hips doing more of the work.

Most people find that using the Cybex Arc Trainer is slightly more comfortable then using some elliptical trainers. The incline feature of the Cybex Arc Trainer is really nice and easy to use. A thirty minute workout provides essentially the same workout as a top quality elliptical trainer with adjustable incline features. It appears to work all the same muscle groups that an elliptical trainer impact. The Cybex Arc Trainer handle bars work in the same motion as your feet do. Basically as the left foot goes forward so does the left handle bar in a very natural cross country skiing motion.

Cybex Arc Trainers are built to last and have lots of features that make them a premier piece of fitness equipment. The console is nicely setup and it has up to 12 exercise routines with varying resistance levels similar to many quality elliptical trainers. The biggest drawback to the Cybex Arc Trainer is the price. For the average fitness enthusiast it would be a major investment to purchase a Cybex Arc Trainer for in home use. A quality elliptical trainer provides the same exercise benefits as the Cybex Arc Trainer at less that half the price. If you really want to use the Cybex Arc Trainer as part of your exercise program we suggest you look for a fitness center that already has them.

How to Use and Choose an Elliptical

Elliptical can be used for cardio exercise, burning fat and calories, and strengthening muscles. No matter what you use your elliptical for it's good to know basic use and safety. Elliptical machines have moving parts, so when you first step on an elliptical trainer, be prepared! Once your feet are secured on the pedals and you have your hands on both handles, start moving your feet forward. The elliptical will begin to move and your rhythm will follow an elliptical pattern. Elliptical trainers offer tension variation that you can increase or decrease while working out. Try building in 30-second incline intervals every couple of minutes to amplify your workout. To end your workout, simply slow your movements until the machine comes to a stop.

Here's a safety tip: Remember to start off slowly. You can vary the resistance and add more power to your movements later. You may be tempted to power your way through the programs but try and stay in the mid range of the elliptical pattern. And remember - always consult a physician or health care provider before beginning an exercise program.

While the basic use of an elliptical is simple, shopping for a home elliptical can be very intimidating! There are so many different brands, models and styles it can be next to impossible to choose the right one for your home. For most people, buying a home elliptical is a major investment. It's also a good investment for those who have decided to make a conscious effort to be fit and healthy. That is why it is important to put together a checklist that identifies attributes that are most important for you and your workout. Here are some tips that should help you out:

1. The first thing you should consider when choosing an elliptical is the construction. A well-constructed elliptical is something that everyone in your family can enjoy. You will want an elliptical that is built with high alloy steel or aluminum frame that is strong enough to support the heaviest person. Some machines come with a weight limit - make sure that limit won't inhibit your workout.

2. Watch out for noise! A major consideration for a home elliptical is the amount of noise it can produce. While most machines will be very quiet, you may come across one that makes noise. A loud machine can drown out a lot of noise - kids, television, oven timers, etc. And some small, repetitive sounds can drive a person crazy and provide you with one more reason not to exercise. We recommend testing an elliptical before you buy it. Step on it and go through some motions so you can assess the noise level and see if it's something you can live with.

3. One feature that is new for some elliptical is side steps. For some, stepping onto a treadmill can be difficult due to the moving parts. Side steps will allow you to step up onto the machine, grab the hand rails or handles and stabilize yourself before stepping onto the pedals. This will prevent you or one of your family members from accidentally tripping, stumbling or falling off of the moving parts. Remember - this is a machine and not a toy! Don't leave anything to chance.

4. And finally, don't forget the bells and whistles! The newest models come with many extra features, like audio inputs and heart rate monitors. Using a heart rate monitor during your workout will help you adjust the speed or incline to keep your heart rate in the optimum zone. It's a good investment in your health!

What are the Benefits of an Elliptical Trainer?

More than likely you have heard about an elliptical trainer.. You know what they are, you know what an elliptical trainer looks like, but how exactly does an elliptical trainer benefit you? Many people can look at a it, but they really do not understand how the elliptical trainer can really benefit them. We will go over some key benefits of the many benefits that a elliptical trainer provides which will show you why they are becoming more popular then ever.

The biggest benefit of an Elliptical trainer is the time you can save by using this machine. There are many people who lead extremely busy lives and do not have a great deal of free time to spend exercising and keep their body in good health.
With an Elliptical trainer, you can eliminate the need to not only go to a gym to work out, but it will also eliminate the time, money and effort to join a gym. This machine is very convenient to use and it provides a full body workout in less then thirty minutes. This is very good news to hear for someone that has a very limited amount of time to schedule into their busy day for working out.

Another key benefit of an Elliptical trainer is that they have very low impact and do not require any specific muscular skill. Low impact basically means that you have the lowest risk of obtaining an injury form using the machine for your workouts. This is very beneficial when you compare working out with weights and other fitness machines. A elliptical trainer also does not require you to perform strenuous positions or have strength requirement to use the machine.
You can be on any muscular skill level and still reap the benefits of an elliptical trainer. This is what makes an elliptical trainer a versatile workout machine for all body types and age groups. You can have one Elliptical trainer in your home and it can be used by your entire household to maintain a strong fitness level for everyone in your home.

A elliptical trainer also provides cardiovascular and weight loss benefits. A Elliptical trainer is proven to strengthen your heart over continual use which reduces your chances for heart problems in the future. This can decrease your chances of such problems as a heart attack, heart disease and strokes for the future. In addition to maintaining a healthy heart, by continually using a elliptical trainer, you also increase your metabolism. By increasing your metabolism, you burn fat calories much quicker, thus preventing weight gain and promoting weight loss throughout your body. This will tone your muscles such as your back, arms, legs, and stomach.

A Elliptical trainer can help you maintain a healthy body by using a simple routine that can fit different age groups and body types. It is no wonder that these machines are becoming very popular and are in high demand. An elliptical trainer has many benefits that will cater to any of us while also helping us lead healthier lives through daily exercise.