Elliptical Workout - 3 Advantages of Working Out With Your Elliptical

If you're trying to decide between an elliptical trainer and another piece of exercise equipment, consider the workout advantages an elliptical provides. What's so special about an elliptical workout? Here are 3 unique advantages of using your elliptical trainer to workout:

#1) Forward & Back Motions Provide Better Workout Results

Almost all elliptical trainers offer both forward and back motion (also called dual action motion). This allows you to work different sets of muscle groups in your legs (hamstrings vs quads) which adds up to more calories burned, more muscles toned and an overall better body workout. 

You can't walk backwards on a treadmill (ok, you can but that might be difficult. And peddling backwards on a bike might not be so helpful. The dual action ability of your elliptical trainer helps you work more muscles. Plus you have the potential to burn more calories

#2) You Get A Lower Impact Workout

A properly designed elliptical trainer mimics your body's natural stride - the way your foot moves elliptically when walking, running, or jogging. You stand upright striding in a forward or reverse motion. Your feet never leave the pedals. 

Because of this, impact is basically eliminated and there is much less overall stress on your knees, hips and back, joints and back. (Just make sure you get a properly designed elliptical trainer - not one of the cheaper department store versions!) 

Because of the lower impact of an elliptical workout, the elliptical machine is becoming very popular with the older population or those who are more easily prone to sports injury.

#3) Upper Body Arm Bars Help You Burn More Calories & Get A Superior Overall Body Workout

Many elliptical trainers offer moveable upper body arm bars. By working both legs and arms, your heart rate elevates more quickly which encourages your body to burn calories faster and more efficiently. 

It also results in a lower perceived rate of exertion (basically you don't feel like you worked as hard as you really did). This may mean that you end up burning more calories, even without feeling like you did much of a workout. 

By offering upper body arms, an elliptical machine workout also helps you tone your arms, shoulders and back for better definition. 

An elliptical trainer workout has many advantages over other exercise machines. It gives you an overall body workout that burns extra calories and gives you an extra efficient workout. Just make sure you choose one that meets your needs and is properly designed for maximum comfort.

Calories Burned On An Elliptical Trainer

If you're trying to choose between an elliptical trainer and another piece of exercise equipment like a treadmill or an exercise bike, one of the most popular questions is 

'How many calories can I burn with an elliptical trainer?' 

You want to get the most bang for your exercise buck - that's understandable. Here are some calories burned estimates for elliptical workouts - and 4 tips to burn more calories with your elliptical trainer!

General Estimates of Calories Burned with An Elliptical Trainer:

- 150 pound woman, 30 minutes of elliptical exercise: 387 calories

- 180 pound man, 30 minutes of elliptical exercise: 464 - 500 calories

- 120 pound woman, 30 minutes of elliptical exercise: 310 calories

General Estimates of Calories Burned (According To Elliptical Manufacturers)

- Elliptical manufacturers claim you can burn up to 720 calories an hour with an elliptical workout.

Factors that dictate how many calories you burn include:

Workout Duration

Interval Training

Elliptical Tension Settings

Body Composition (Muscle to Fat Ratio)

State of Cardiovascular system (regular exerciser or new to exercise)

Weight

Sex

Upper Body Arm Usage

And for those of you who want to burn the maximum amount of calories on your elliptical machine, here are 4 tips to increase your calorie burn:

- Build in Intervals

Most elliptical trainers offer incline and or tension that you can increase or decrease while workout out. Try building in 30 second incline intervals every couple of minutes to your workout. 

This will not only push your body further and burn more calories during your workout - but it can also elevate your calorie burn for up to 24 hours after your workout.

- Use Upper Body Arms

Many ellipticals offer you upper body arm bars that you can use to build your arms muscles into your workout. More muscles worked = more calories burned. If there are no upper body arms, grab a couple of 2 - 5 pounds handweights and swing your arms while striding.

- Take Advantage of the Forward and Backward Directions 

Using more muscles (and ones you may not have used before) also increases your calories burned, even after your workout. So take advantage of the fact that most ellipticals allow you to go forward and backward. Switch up your routine every few minutes to rev your calorie burn.

- Break up your Workout

Experts are now telling us that 2 mini-workouts may even be better than 1 long workout as far as fat burned. Why? 

Any exercise will temporarily rev up your metabolism - so if you can do 15 - 20 minutes in the morning, and 15 - 20 minutes in the afternoon, your metabolism will stay charged up for a longer time. (If you can't do this, don't worry - remember that a 30 minute workout will still burn more calories than a 15 minute workout!)

So there are some tips to skyrocket your calories burned on your elliptical. Remember however that the best workout is one you enjoy - since it increases the likelihood that you'll want to do it again!

Best Elliptical Trainer: 5 Key Features To Look For When Shopping

So you're buying an elliptical trainer? Elliptical trainers give you a low impact, safe workout that burns a maximum amount of calories in the least amount of time. 

But with all of the different elliptical brands out there, how do you choose the best one? Here are 5 key features to look for when shopping to help you find the very best elliptical trainer.


1) Forward and Reverse motions 

The ability to move in a forward or reverse motion adds variety and challenge to your workout. It works different sets of muscles and results in more calories burned overall. 

This also reduces your risk of repetitive use injuries common with some treadmill and stair climber users. Most ellipticals have this option but it's always a good idea to make sure.


2) Adjustable resistance 

Quality elliptical trainers will have a range of resistance levels. Increasing the resistance increases the calories burned. It also helps you continue to challenge your body as your fitness level improves.

Look for an elliptical trainer that makes resistance changes simple (i.e. one-touch resistance adjustment) so that interval training sessions can be easily incorporated into your workout


3) Upper body workout arms 

While you really don't need these for an effective workout, many people prefer them. They do help to provide resistance training for your upper body - and again, result in more calories burned. 

However make sure you don't have to lean over while using them which can diminish the effectiveness of your workout (this can happen on many of the cheaper elliptical models).


4) Quiet operation 

Look for an elliptical trainer that is specifically designed to stay quiet. A truly well designed elliptical machine should be fairly quiet at all intensity levels.

Also - cheaper ellipticals can develop a squeak after a few months of heavy use so be careful to buy a quality brand of elliptical machine and steer clear of the cheap department store models.


5) Elliptical Incline 

It used to be that only high end, commercial elliptical trainers like Precor offered this option however lately more affordable models like Proform and Nordic Track are offering incline on several of their machines.

Incline is not the same as resistance. It changes the incline of the elliptical motion and helps to work different sets of muscles for increased fat burning and toning.


So those are 5 key features that make up a quality elliptical trainer. By looking for most of these 5 key features, you'll be assured of finding the very best elliptical trainer for your needs.

Treadmills vs. Ellipticals vs. Bikes - Which is right for you?

Consumers are faced with many different equipment options to try and meet fitness goals, and sometimes it can be confusing. So here is an easy-to-use reference guide that will help determine what type of equipment is best suited to you.

Directly below is a summary comparison of elliptical trainer vs. treadmill vs. exercise bike training options to show the physiological benefits of each. This information presents an effective way to decide which is best for your individual needs, and help you get started on the right path to fitness.

Treadmills - Maximum opportunity to increase cardiovascular, weight loss and bone density. 
• Burn more calories than bike orelliptical
• Build maximum lower extremity bone density
• Customize workout with Decline / Incline features
• Minimal impact with SOFT deck technology

Elliptical Trainers - The benefits of weight-bearing exercise without the impact.

• Low impact workout that's easy on body and joints
• Arm handles allow for a full body workout
• Lower perceived rate of exertion
• Burn fewer calories per hour than a treadmill

Exercise Bikes - Low impact. High performance. 
• Low-No impact workout easiest on body and joints
• Available in upright and recumbent, for virtually every performance level
• Most economically priced piece of equipment
• Lowest calorie burn / hour compared with a treadmill and elliptical

Treadmills:

This popular form of weight-bearing exercise offers you the best opportunity to build bone density in the lower extremities and greatly improve overall muscle tone. Unsurpassed for a cardiovascular and fat-burning workout, the treadmill can help you to burn 50 to 250 more calories an hour versus a stationary bike or an elliptical machine.

While running and walking generally create more impact on your bones and joints than exercise bikes or elliptical machines, most high-end treadmills are constructed with surfaces that help to absorb impact and pounding. This provides a big advantage over outdoor workouts on asphalt or concrete.

Most treadmills also include electronic features and settings that allow you to customize your workouts to meet your specific fitness needs. Almost all models include speed and incline settings and can be programmed for individual calorie-burning, speed and mileage goals.

Besides offering all the benefits of an outdoor walk or run (without the hassles of obstacles or the environment) in the comfort of your own home, the treadmill has proven to be the clear training choice for achieving maximum fitness results in the shortest amount of time.

Ellipticals:

Part treadmill, part stairmaster, and mimicking the pedal movement of an exercise bike, theelliptical trainer offers a unique combination of fitness benefits, without the impact on knees, back, hips or joints. This weight-bearing exercise allows you to burn calories more efficiently than non-weight-bearing workouts, plus effectively builds bone density.

More than just a lower-body exercise, arm handles combine with leg motion to provide a total body workout. In addition, the elliptical helps to create a lower "perceived rate of exertion" - you do more work and burn more calories while feeling like you're producing less effort.

This cross-training-style machine can also typically be programmed through electronic settings to meet your specific goals of calorie burning, speed and distance. One other unique advantage is that the elliptical can also be "pedaled" backwards in addition to forward, to effectively work a full range of leg muscles.

The elliptical has proven popular with those who are looking to receive the benefits of a full-body, weight-bearing workout, without the stress and pounding.

Exercise Bikes:

Although they have been in existence for years, exercise bikes have returned to the forefront of the workout scene. This is due in large part to advances in technology, improved designs and the immensely popular "spinning" programs that allow participants to simulate outdoor cycling in the comfort of their own homes or a group classroom setting.

Unlike other forms of "weight-bearing" exercise (such as running or walking), exercise bikes offer participants an opportunity to increase their heart rates without substantial stress on knees, ankles, feet or hips. In addition, built-in resistance features allow you to tailor your workout to your specific goals, by simulating hills, flat ground and rolling terrain. Many models even offer electronic features, which allow you to program the bike for a specific goal or workout. This is very helpful for achieving effective, measurable results.

Generally available in recumbent or upright designs, stationary bikes are designed for practically every level of performance and body design, whether you're an experienced cyclist dedicated to improving your peddle stroke or a weekend warrior simply looking to break a sweat.

True Fitness Technology, Inc. specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of premium quality cardiovascular and flexibility products. TRUE’s innovative and award-winning products are among the best in the fitness industry and enable users to look better, feel better and play better.

Elliptical Workout vs. Treadmill Workout

An elliptical workout differs from a treadmill workout in a few ways. Both will give you an aerobic workout but an elliptical trainer will work different muscle groups than a treadmill.

While both are excellent choices, they do have distinct differences. By knowing the difference, you can decide if an elliptical workout, the treadmill workout or even a combination of both works best for you.

Elliptical Workout

When comparing an elliptical workout to a treadmill workout the first thing you will notice is the elliptical trainer has much less impact. This low impact is especially good for people with joint, knee, lower back or hip problems.

An elliptical workout also works the upper and lower body simultaneously which makes your heart rate climb faster than with a treadmill workout. The elliptical trainer works your legs, back, shoulders, chest and your arms making it a total body workout.

Another great feature of an elliptical workout is you can add variety by pedaling backwards. This backward pedaling motion targets your lower body quadricep muscles.

Treadmill Workout

A treadmill workout can also give you an excellent aerobic workout and a lot of people still prefer it to an elliptical workout. If you prefer to run, jog or walk to exercise it's obviously a smarter choice.

If you are just beginning to workout or just don't want a total body workout a treadmill workout might be perfect. Most treadmills offer a different intensity level that you can increase as you get more fit.

A treadmill workout provides a different variety over an elliptical workout by allowing you to run, jog or walk on an incline. While it is a less intense workout, it is a great way to burn fat while promoting good cardiovascular health.

Even though treadmills remain the number one piece of fitness equipment sold today, elliptical trainers are quickly becoming very popular. With more and more health clubs adding more elliptical trainer machines, more people will try elliptical workouts.

Both elliptical workouts and treadmill workouts will build bone density, burn fat, promote good cardiovascular health and increase your energy level. The important thing is to workout on a regular basis whether it's at home or in a gym.

If you are looking to purchase a treadmill or an elliptical trainer, the bottom line is, you usually get what you pay for. There are great values especially online but it just makes sense to get quality equipment that will last.

Whether you prefer a treadmill workout or an elliptical workout choose the one that you feel is right for you. That way you will work out more often, lose more weight and be much healthier.

Elliptical Crosstrainer Benefits

Considering an elliptical trainer? Wondering how an elliptical trainer can benefit you?

This article will list several unique benefits of working out with an elliptical trainer. If you're trying to decide between an eliptical trainer and another piece of exercise equipment, here are some unique elliptical trainer benefits:

· No Impact:

Recently my 60-year-old mother tried my elliptical trainer and she was shocked at how easy it felt on her joints (she's a regular treadmill user).

Elliptical trainer workouts are safe on the joints and provide a no impact workout (as opposed to a treadmill where you feet hit the deck with every step). This is ideal for people with back, knee, hips and joint problems as well as older people looking for a no-impact workout.

· Weight Bearing Exercise:

While using an elliptical machine gives you a no-impact workout, the resistance exercise still helps to build bone density and fight off osteoporosis.

As well, weight-bearing exercise helps you burn calories much more efficiently (and keeps your calorie burn high for several hours after a workout)

· Saves Time

Because most elliptical trainers incorporate upper body arms, elliptical workouts tend to involve the whole body and give you an overall better workout - meaning you burn more calories in less time. That's always a benefit.

Elliptical trainers have also been proven to offer a lower 'Perceived Rate of Exertion' when working out. This means that you're doing more work and burning more calories while feeling like you put out less effort.

· Fights Boredom & Great For Crosstraining

Because elliptical trainers are a mix between the treadmill and a stair climber you have a great opportunity to cross-train.

I was actually shocked when, after using my elliptical for a month, I could easily climb a very steep hill that had almost wiped me out before. My fitness level had skyrocketed and I didn't even know it.

Plus, the fact that you can move backwards on an elliptical as well as download workout programs from the Internet (with iFit compatibility that many ellipticals offer), you won't get bored easily. That means more workouts and more calories burned!

· Space Efficient

Most elliptical trainers are smaller than a treadmill and can be more easily moved to clean or to store away when company is coming. If you are cramped for space or have a smaller home gym, an elliptical trainer can be a great way to save space while getting an overall body workout

So those are some of the most prevalent benefits of using an elliptical trainer. Keep in mind that elliptical trainers are not for everyone. However they do offer some great workout features that would benefit any athlete - from beginner to elite!

Elliptical Workouts

Elliptical workouts basically involve aerobic or cardiovascular exercise. Elliptical cross trainers can be intimidating at first glance but once you get familiar with them you will find them easy to use and a fun part of your routine.

To begin your elliptical workout, stand with your feet firmly planted in the movable footpads. The advantage of your feet being stationary makes this a smooth and non-jarring motion that is unique to the elliptical cross trainers. Grab the handles to add the upper body movement for a total body workout.

Elliptical motion feels very natural and compliments normal body movements only making it feel like the workout is easier. Elliptical workouts are equal or greater than similar equipment such as the treadmill creating a safer workout. It reduces the harmful stress and impact on your muscles and joints.

With time a major concern in our daily lives, an elliptical workout can be very desirable. It provides a total body workout utilizing one machine therefore saving time in having to go from machine to machine to achieve the same effect for all the different areas of the body.

An elliptical trainer benefit is they are safe for beginners and will even challenge the pro athletes. And because most people like to use these machines, they are more likely to workout on a regular basis. Consistent elliptical workouts will help in attaining good overall cardiovascular health.

It generally takes twenty minutes of elliptical exercise to start burning calories and improve your cardio health. If you are just starting out, exercise for twenty minutes and work up from there as your fitness level improves. Try to set 3 days a week as your goal to workout and work up to 5 days when you become more fit.

Another elliptical trainer benefit is they are perfect for burning fat. To burn fat effectively, you need to exercise at a moderate pace for a long period of time. Elliptical cross trainers give you the slow, aerobic, long duration type of exercise that works best to burn fat.

If you are looking for a good overall workout in the shortest amount of time, the elliptical workout is an ideal choice.

Elliptical Trainer Benefits

There are so many elliptical trainer benefits to list that some would say it's the perfect way to exercise. Elliptical exercise trainers meet the overall need of any exercise program. They combine a weight bearing exercise that limits the impact on the body while optimizing the cardiovascular benefits creating a total body workout routine.

One of the best elliptical trainer benefits is the weight bearing exercises that help in maintaining and improving bone density. Elliptical cross trainers burn more calories and make you feel like you have been on a brisk walk with all the benefits of a good jogging session.

The elliptical motion of the machine provides low impact because your feet never leave the footpads. It creates a smooth and continuous movement that eliminates the stress on your joints. This provides a totally impact free cardio workout routine.

The elliptical exercise trainers are programmed with different training settings to help monitor your cardio workout routine and allow you to set one, two or all three of the following: resistance, speed and ramp. The workouts can be very intense or relatively easy depending on the training program you select.

Elliptical cross trainers provide a great workout for your lower body as well as toning and building leg muscles. It's ideal for losing weight because it burns more calories that a treadmill or exercise bike. If you are overweight it helps you burn calories while you seem to be leisurely gliding along. Grab the moving handles and work the upper body muscles for a total body workout routine.

Elliptical cross trainers are one of the best pieces of exercise equipment to hit the fitness industry in years. They provide a relatively easy and enjoyable form of exercise that you will look forward to coming back to over and over again.

Several gyms are buying more elliptical exercise trainers because the demand is so great. Once you use one you'll be hooked because thirty minutes is all it takes for a total body workout routine. You exercise at whatever level you are or whatever level you want to achieve.

You can challenge yourself on your high energy days or you can just maintain on other days. The choice is up to you. Getting fit, losing weight and improving your overall health are only a few elliptical trainer benefits.

Elliptical Trainers and Burning Calories

One of the most frequently asked questions is do the use of elliptical trainers help me burn calories compared to other cardio machines?

With our busy schedules it is completely understandable that you want to get the most results for the time you spend working out.

As you may know how many calories burned during a workout will vary depending upon your weight. A 150 pound woman may only burn 387 calories while a 180 pound man may burn 500 calories on the same machine for the same length of time.

Many elliptical trainer companies say you can burn around 800 calories per hour of elliptical training workout. The following factors dictate how many calories you will actually burn during your workout:

- Workout Duration - This is simply how much time you spend on the specific workout. It is usually recommended that you do it for a half hour to an hour.

- Interval Training - Taking small breaks, followed by a cool down period is recommended for extended workouts.

- Elliptical Tension Settings - These tension settings help you control the intensity of the workout. Using a higher intensity can improve the effects of the workout.

- Current weight - as stated earlier a heavier person will burn more calories than a smaller person.

Are you interested in a few more tips to burn more calories with your elliptical trainer? Below are a few suggestions you can follow to burn more calories.

- Built in interval settings:

Nearly all elliptical trainers offer an incline and or even tension that you are able to increase or even lessen while workout out.

Midway through your workout try increasing the tension or incline to give you an extra push at burning more calories. This can also help raise your calorie burn for a few hours after your workout.

- Utilize Upper Body Arms

Many ellipticals offer you upper body arm blocks that you are able to utilize to build your arms muscles into your workout. Even more muscles worked = even more calories burned. If there are no upper body arms, grab a few of two - five pounds handweights and swing your arms while striding.

-Split your work outs:

Experts are today telling us that two smaller "mini-workouts" can even be better than one long workout as far as how many calories are burned.

Exercise with speed up your metabolism, doing one workout in the morning and one in the evening will give you two metabolism "boosts."

All in all an elliptical trainer is a great way to burn a ton of calories.

Working Out With Low-Impact Elliptical Exercise Machines - Benefits Of Elliptical Cross Trainers

Elliptical exercise machines are soaring in popularity, and for good reason. They are among the most effective pieces of fitness equipment on the market today. The “all over” workout you get with elliptical cross trainers is well suited to many different fitness levels and it is easy to learn the proper techniques for using one.

Benefits of Elliptical Machines

Elliptical trainers provide tremendous benefits to users, including:

•Weight Bearing Exercises – Fitness experts agree that a weight-bearing workout is the best way to improve conditioning, increase bone density, strengthen muscles, and burn calories efficiently.

•Low-Impact Workout – Despite providing a good weight-bearing workout, an elliptical cross training machine is very low impact. This means less stress on your joints during cross training exercises because your feet never leave the pedals and therefore do not experience high impacts.

•Cardiovascular Workouts – An elliptical machine or cross trainer provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, a key part of overall fitness. Whether you want to lose weight, firm up your body, or a combination of both, incorporating cardiovascular exercise into your workout routine is critical to your long-term success.

Other Factors

Anyone who has ever gone through the cycle of starting and stopping an exercise routine several times will tell you that one key to sticking with your routine is to find something that gives you maximum results in the shortest amount of time. Elliptical cross training fits the bill perfectly. Most people live busy lives and do not have several hours per day to devote to total body exercise, so an elliptical machine lets them get in a good workout in a minimal amount of time.

Motivation to exercise is a big issue for many people, but most elliptical machine users will tell you that they have an easier time staying motivated to get on their machine. This is because you can vary your workout tremendously, depending on the amount of intensity you want, and also do other things like read or watch TV while on your elliptical machine. This helps reduce boredom and increase the likelihood that you will use your elliptical for low-impact cross training regularly.

Proper Technique and Motion

Any exercise or fitness equipment can cause injury or discomfort when used improperly, and elliptical cross training machines are no exception. They are among the easiest pieces of equipment to use, but still require you to use proper techniques for maximum safety and fitness benefit.

Here are a few key tips to remember:

•Adjustment – Make sure the elliptical machine is adjusted properly to your size and range of motion. For most people, a step length of 18 to 24 inches is recommended to start.

•Intensity – Familiarize yourself with how to change the intensity of your elliptical cross training. You may be able to increase resistance, increase the incline, or a combination of both. Remember that it is better to exercise at a lower intensity until you have built up the strength and stamina to a more intense regimen.

•Posture – Always maintain an upright posture while on an elliptical workout machine or cross trainer. Keep your shoulders back, chin up, back straight, and abdominals tight. Do not lean forward over the balance bar or handles; instead, make sure your body weight is being carried by your lower body throughout the exercise.

What Makes The Best Elliptical Trainer?

An elliptical trainer has become one of the most popular forms of exercise equipment to date. This newer form of exercise equipment is fast replacing other common equipment such as treadmills. There are many reasons for this; one very appealing and popular reason is that the elliptical trainer has less impact than that of the treadmill. When you exercise on your elliptical trainer you, you are avoiding ground impact. This means that your joints generally do not suffer any type of abuse, which can lead to pain that other equipment can cause.

Another high point for the elliptical trainer is that anyone using this trainer will receive a great cardiovascular workout that carries a large efficiency rate at the same time. An elliptical trainer allows you to receive a full body workout, without the need for further additional equipment. Other exercise equipment generally only allow for a workout on one section of your body, meaning to get a full body workout you would have to invest in another piece of equipment. Furthermore, with an elliptical trainer you receive a better workout, which burns calories, tones your body, and works your heart, with less effort.

When shopping for an elliptical trainer there are certain things you should look for. First, consider your budget and look at the price. The well-known saying, “You get what you pay for”, applies here. Yes, a good elliptical trainer can be costly, but you will save money over time by purchasing one with high quality and will last. You should also look for the features that the trainer provides. For example, the stride length, you will want at least a 21” stride length. Additionally, look for an adjustable incline, arm handles for upper body motion, how quiet the machine is, that the equipment comes with adjustable resistance, and that the motion is smooth in feel.

Consider safety when you are purchasing your elliptical trainer. Do not purchase any machine that does not provide you with periods of cool-down and warm up. You should also avoid a trainer that provides you with handrails that will get in the way of your work out. Make sure the handrails are there, but out of the way and not preventing you from gaining the maximum workout in the experience.

Avoid any elliptical trainer that does not provide you with an excellent warranty program. Your chosen warranty should cover labor for one full year and parts for anywhere between one to three years. Look for a piece of equipment that has a console that is easy for you to read and understand, as well as one that in virtually maintenance free.

There are many extra features that can come with your elliptical trainer such as heart rate monitor, interactive features that can adjust your workout automatically, and even the ability to connect directly to a website from your trainer. Always make sure that sales staff selling the trainer, is qualified in knowledge and service. You should also test the trainer out before purchase, make sure it is the one you want and works well with you.

Elliptical Trainer Reviews Dont Get The Facts Straight

There are many misconceptions regarding elliptical trainers. I believe this is a result of the large number of elliptical trainer reviews Websites popping up on the Internet each and every day. In an effort to tout the benefits of elliptical training, Webmasters post the usual laundry list of the well-publicized advantages of elliptical trainers. In the process, like the old game of "Telephone", each time the message is repeated, it gets slightly or sometimes significantly garbled in the retelling. 

To make matters even worse, sometimes medical and fitness professionals along with the manufacturers of elliptical trainers will give out unproven or even incorrect information. This article will address the most common misconceptions and inaccuracies regarding elliptical trainers. 

1. Elliptical trainers are zero impact fitness machines -- Since back here on the planet Earth where all mass is subject to the Law of Gravity you will still experience some impact when using an elliptical trainer. There's just no way around this. Not even in the zero gravity environment of outer space, since an elliptical requires gravity in order to work. I'm sure Sir Isaac Newton would be spinning in his grave if he knew how many times this misconception gets propagated. 

Yes, elliptical trainers are LOW-impact machines and the impact is noticeably less than running on a treadmill, but there is still a small degree of impact. People who have knee injuries or chronic tendonitis in their knees may find that even the low impact forces of an elliptical trainer to be uncomfortable. 

2. Elliptical trainers are not weight bearing -- This is a corollary to Misconception #1. The fact that you are standing up on the foot pedals when using an elliptical trainer makes it a weight bearing exercise. Again the force of gravity is acting upon the mass of your body, which is supported by your legs. It's not the same as when you are seated on a stationary bike or rowing machine. Weight bearing exercises such as elliptical training are a good way to strengthen the bones in your lower back and hips. 

3. You need to workout longer on an elliptical trainer than on a treadmill because the higher impact of the treadmill causes you to expend more energy -- The goal of any aerobic exercise is to get your heart rate into an elevated state -- either in a fat-burning or cardio-conditioning zone and keep it there for the duration of your training session. Subjecting your joints to excessive impact in order to get there is just plain crazy! The way to do this is to get the large muscles of your lower body in motion and if you can also involve the muscles of your upper body by using the moveable handles of an elliptical trainer then so much the better. 

4. The upper body handles of an elliptical trainer are meant to build up the muscles of your upper body -- There is actually a small bit of truth to this belief, but the thing to remember is that cardio machines are aerobic in nature and are not very effective at building muscle. Save muscle building for your weight training sessions. 

The real benefit of upper body handles on an elliptical trainer is to involve the muscles of your upper body in the exercise in order to get your heart rate up quicker. The more pieces you get working at the same time the more efficient the whole process becomes. 

5. It's possible to build a high-quality elliptical trainer using cheap components and cheap labor -- This is hands down the biggest misconception out there. It's mostly put forth by the fitness equipment manufacturers, but unfortunately many consumers fool themselves into believing it's true. 

People certainly can't be faulted for wanting to save money and when faced with better quality ellipticals that sell for upwards of $800 and beyond, they settle for the $150 special from Wal-Mart. In most cases this turns out to be a purchasing decision they soon come to regret. The machine is unsteady and creaky and then just self-destructs after a short period of time. 

The best advice is to take your time, do your homework and make an informed decision after weighing all of the risks against all of the benefits. 

Home Gym Equipment: Elliptical or Treadmill?

If you're buying some home gym equipment, you've probably only got the space for either an elliptical or a treadmill. Although you'll see both of these at healthclubs, few people will be able to stretch to having both at home. So which one should you choose?

The treadmill is a solid piece of kit that has been popular for many years. Part of its popularity comes from its ease of use. You just get on and start jogging. What could be simpler? It also means that you don't have to jog outside in the hot sun or driving rain.

If you're after a great cardiovascular workout then a treadmill is a good option. Most of the modern treadmills come complete with an onboard computer that allows you to program different workouts into them. So you can have interval training, incline training or just running on the flat.

The arrival of the elliptical trainer in the 90's has meant that you now have a choice of home cardiovascular machine. The elliptical is growing in popularity because it offers a more complete workout. You can be exercising your arms at the same time as your legs. Most people find working out on an elliptical more interesting than a treadmill. If you enjoy your exercise and don't get bored, then you're likely to stick with the program.

When considering an elliptical or a treadmill, a factor that is often overlooked is the noise that it makes. The smooth action of an elliptical is generally quieter than the pounding of a treadmill. This can be important if you want to watch TV or listen to music in your home gym.

Although you will improve your health by using either an elliptical or a treadmill, at the end of the day the best product is the one you enjoy using most. Some people like the variety that is offered by the elliptical trainer. Others prefer the predictability of using a treadmill. 

Is Buying a Reconditioned Elliptical Trainer A Good Idea?

Given the choice, most people would love to have a brand new elliptical at home. But the cost of these machines mean that many people have to settle for a used or a reconditioned elliptical trainer.

Getting a reconditioned elliptical can be a huge cost saving. You can get this type of machine from some of the manufacturers and from specialist fitness equipment stores. These are typically units that have been used by other customers but have been restored to good working order and any necessary parts replaced.

If they have been refurbished by qualified and knowledgeable staff, there is no reason why these machines cannot go on and give a good level of service for you.

However, there is a downside to buying a refurbished elliptical trainer. Some units have been refurbished because of frequent use, say in a professional gym. Although the necessary parts have been replaced to get it working, the machine maybe more likely to breakdown in the future due to another mechanical fault.

The other downside that many people do not consider is how the market has moved on. Elliptical trainers are getting better all the time. They are quieter and have a smoother action. What may have been considered a 'top of the range' model a few years ago has now been superseded by many others. Would you be better off buying a brand new mid-range unit and getting the same level of performance compared to a refurbished elliptical trainer?

A factor that may be the clincher as to whether you choose a refurbished elliptical trainer or not, is whether it comes with a warranty. A good quality new machine will come with the peace of mind of a 2-year warranty. A refurbished model may only come with a short guarantee or no guarantee at all. This is often an indication of how confident the retailer is that the machine will last. If they are not willing to take a risk on the machine not breaking down, why should you? 

7 Amazing Benefits Of Using an Elliptical Trainer

Many people believe that the elliptical trainer is the perfect piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment. Almost everyone will benefit from increasing their activity levels and the elliptical machine is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Here are some of the benefits of using this equipment.

1. Every day tasks such as walking upstairs will be less tiring and easier. This will make your life more enjoyable as you can do things such as lifting a grandchild or carrying home the shopping without over-exerting yourself.

2. Your performance at sports and work will also be improved. If you play team sports, having a good general level of fitness will inevitably improve your performance.

3. The health of your heart and lungs will be improved. The heart is a muscle and like other muscles in the body, it responds well to exercise.

4. Improvement in self-esteem and mood. There have been various studies that have shown that exercise can improve conditions such as depression. It can also have a beneficial effect on the way we feel about ourselves.

5. Our body shapes can also be improved. Using an elliptical trainer can be an important part of a weight reduction program. In combination with a healthy diet this can bring about lasting changes in how we look.

6. Exercise can reduce the risk of early death from serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke. This is the reason that most doctors recommend people take more exercise.

7. Using an elliptical machine can also improve balance and coordination. This is because the arms and legs are worked out in a sequence that requires coordination.

With all these benefits, it is no wonder that the elliptical trainer is fast becoming the most popular piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment for use at home. It can also be found in gyms and health clubs across the country. 

Benefits Of Exercising With Elliptical Machines

Fitness is an elusive term covering a vast array of attributes: flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, power. Fitness equipment is essential for proper exercise and a full body work out, and the regular use of fitness equipment is very beneficial to the body and for exercising specific groups of muscles.

Many personal trainers claim that the dual action exercise of an elliptical trainer can actually be more efficient in burning calories. Since you can adjust incline, speed and other factors, you can maximize cardio impact, making elliptical trainers more effective than weight lifting, leg presses, or other less comprehensive types of exercise. Elliptical trainers offer a non-impact workout that can vary from light to high intensity based on the resistance preference.

Benefits

And although less exertion is required, the calorie burn and benefits to your heart are on a level equal or greater than treadmills, stair steppers and other types of home exercise equipment. The benefits are financial as well as physical, as purchasing these devices for your home eliminates those hefty monthly gym payments, not to mention the inconvenience inherent with traveling to and from a commercial gym.

What’s even better, by adding one of these machines to your training program, you can avoid the pitfalls of outdoor exercise by shutting out the heat or cold and ensuring no mean dogs stop you from reaping the benefits elliptical cross training has to offer. Moreover, advantages of the elliptical exercise machine are proportional to stride length so prolonging pedal movement raises user-experience and exercise benefits. One of the most popular elliptical benefits is the prevention of sore joints or to help people workout who already have existing joint problems.

Health

Exercise machines are also safe for beginners and for women in the early pregnancy stage, provided that they are done in moderation and with the guidance of a health professional. Exercise machines, although they may not be cheap are a worthwhile investment for those interested in fitness, health and in exercising daily. And whatever you do to benefit your heart now, will keep you healthy and fit for many years to come.

Most people get their health out of a bottle these days, be it a bottle of vitamins or pharmaceuticals. Having an elliptical trainer as a cardio workout companion pays handsome health dividends Improved cardiovascular function, overall conditioning, and healthy weight loss due to a revved up metabolism, are all part and parcel of the benefits of an elliptical trainer package.

Conclusion

Elliptical exercise machines are some of the most popular home fitness machines on the market. Superiority of ellipticals: elliptical exercise machines are commonly area economical elliptical cross trainers are not costly; bargain rate and cheap elliptical machines are a cinch to locate eliptical cross-trainers are nominal compaction, signifying, they are light on back joints, in comparison to the more intense impingement motorized treadmills or even in contrast to using stepping devices or step climbers.

Elliptical exercise machines provide some of the best cardiovascular workouts of any home fitness equipment. They are among the most effective pieces of fitness equipment on the market today. Find out more about Benefits Of Exercising With Elliptical Machines

Elliptical Machines and Trainers - Great Choice For A Total Body Workout

An elliptical machine is an exercise machine that is stationary and is used to simulate walking or running without causing excessive stress on your joints. It allows you to exercise without the risk of injury and is great for people that are overweight or for the aging population. Read on to discover more great reasons for using an elliptical machine.

An elliptical trainer does not strain your joints because your feet never leave the pedals. The machine moves in an elliptical movement and you feel like you are walking or running on air. There is none of the jolting that you get when you are running on a traditional treadmill. An elliptical machine is much kinder on your joints, hips and back.

Another great reason to use an elliptical machine is for the weight bearing exercise that it can provide. This is important to combat the effects of osteoporosis. There are few other exercise machines that can give you a good cardio working in addition to a weight bearing exercise.

An elliptical machine can work the upper and lower parts of your body. In fact, you are able to get a full body workout from an elliptical machine. When you start to use this machine, it is important that you get familiar with all of the things that it can do. Learn how to use it for various parts of the body to maximize your workout routine.

If you are shopping for an elliptical trainer of your own, it’s important to remember that cheap is not better. A good elliptical machine is going to cost you at least $700 and can go as high as $1500. The best way to make a decision is to do research on the Internet and gather customer reviews on different brands of elliptical machines.

When you are shopping, always try out a machine before you buy it. If you are going to be spending this much money for an elliptical machine you need to make sure that you can use it. Some people find that the movement of the upper body and the lower body is too much for them. Find out if you can use an elliptical machine before you buy one.

Elliptical Machines are Very Effective in Bringing About Weight Loss

The very concept of elliptical exercise machines is to offer resistance as the feet and legs of the person using them move in the natural rhythm of a walk or a run while supporting the natural feel of the motion. Another reason why the elliptical exercise machines are more popular is that user can perform many exercises to the various part of the body within the same machine. All in all, elliptical exercise machines are not only great to work out at the gym with, but they are excellent to purchase for your homes also. If you are one of the many people who are overweight or even obese, elliptical exercise machines are a great way to get back in shape.

Elliptical Trainers

It is estimated that millions of Americans use elliptical trainers in their home gyms. Elliptical exercise machines are exercise machines that a person uses to simulate the walking or running motions of their legs and feet without moving in space and with minimal impact on the joints of the feet and legs. Elliptical exercise machines are advantageous because they are one of few types of home fitness equipment that offer a no/low impact workout. Elliptical Machines provide a full body workout with strength training and toning.

Home gym owners of any fitness level appreciate the low impact workouts and cardiovascular benefits of elliptical exercise machines. Some people compare the workout they get on elliptical exercise machines to pedaling on a stationary bike while standing up. The majority of elliptical exercise machines are equipped with upper handle bars that give users a truly total body workout. The best elliptical machines are, unsurprisingly, the more expensive ones.

Benefits of Elliptical Machines

If getting into shape and staying that way is on your agenda, don’t overlook the benefits of elliptical machines for helping you achieve your goal. The elliptical exercise machine offers many benefits over other more traditional forms of equipment. And for good reason: they provide many of the fitness, cardiovascular, and weight loss benefits of treadmills without the 'wear and tear' associated with running. Some Benefits of physical exercise with eliptical trainer are:

elliptical exercise machines are super fluid,

eliptical crosstrainers are very comfortable,

ellipticals are extremely effortless.

The benefits for your heart come from the fact that you are getting a total body workout and using many muscle groups. Weight bearing exercises like running, hiking and aerobics benefits the body in ways that non-weight bearing exercises like rowing and cycling cannot.

Cardiovascular Workouts

Whether you want to lose weight, firm up your body, or a combination of both, incorporating cardiovascular exercise into your workout routine is critical to your long-term success. Fitness experts agree that a weight-bearing workout is the best way to improve conditioning, increase bone density, strengthen muscles, and burn calories efficiently. When it comes to providing a great total body workout with a single machine, almost nothing can compare to working out on elliptical machines. The all over workout you get with elliptical cross trainers is well suited to many different fitness levels and it is easy to learn the proper techniques for using one.

Conclusion

Most people live busy lives and do not have several hours per day to devote to total body exercise, so an elliptical machine lets them get in a good workout in a minimal amount of time. Because most of these cross trainers work your upper body, elliptical exercise machines are beneficial in cardiovascular training and improving heart health. Ellipticals let you exercise your arms, chest, back and legs without putting a lot of stress on your joints. As you can see, elliptical exercise machines offer a large number of benefits over other types of fitness machines.