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.