Exercise Guide

Elliptical trainers seem to be all the rage these days with almost every gym having banks of them and many being used at home as well. An elliptical trainer is really a cross between a treadmill and a stair climber allowing you to efficiently get the best of both worlds in one machine. Although, if you were thinking that you could get in twice as much exercise for the same amount of effort then you may be a bit disappointed. The whole idea is to combine the two exercises into a highly effective exercise system that really makes you work hard. But just how effective are elliptical trainers and are they just another fad or are they really as innovative as their makers claim?

When considering the question how effective are elliptical trainers you have to look at them in the context of the equipment that they are replacing. Stair exercisers although good for what they were designed to do are very restricted in their ability to work different areas of the body and can be of limited value to anyone looking for a single machine solution. Of course, you have the same problem with a standard treadmill but there is also the added complication for some people that you also have constant impact when you are running on a treadmill.

But how effective are elliptical trainers in burning those extra calories? For all the talk of getting fit this is the real reason that most people want an exercise machine and in this area of specialization the elliptical trainers excel. The combination of aerobic and weight bearing exercise is great for burning up the calories and for toning up almost every part of your body and most of the major muscle groups. And they also have the added bonus that there is virtually no impact involved so they really do look to have all the benefits with very few drawbacks.

The real answer to the question of how effective are elliptical trainers is contained in their clever use of technology. The central axis moves in an elliptical motion so that all the major lower muscle groups get a thorough workout while the hands and arms get an upper body workout from the movable handlebars. Many of the machines can also be programmed to work at different speeds for varying amounts of time so that there is an element of variety and you don’t get too bored. Although this may sound like a small point it is very important to maintain interest so that you are encouraged to keep going. Elliptical trainers are an excellent way to get an all body workout with the added advantage of having minimal impact to your joints and also are an excellent way to stay fit and healthy.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He provides more elliptical trainer ratings, recommendations and information on how effective are elliptical trainers that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Elliptical trainers are ideal for getting in shape and losing weight. When you workout on an elliptical trainer there are two important benefits:

It is for those reasons that elliptical trainers are growing in popularity. Treadmills sell more in total numbers, but elliptical sales are growing at a faster pace. They are particularly appealing to the baby boomer generation that is looking for an alternative form of exercise and workout that lessens the impact on aging joints.

Low-Impact Exercise

The two most popular forms of exercise are walking and running. But the facts are running, and to a lesser extent walking, cause stress to your body through continual impact. In fact, runners can apply as much as 2.5 times their body weight to their joints with each stride. This is why runners and walkers often suffer from ankle, knee, hip and back injuries. Especially if they workout outdoors on concrete or asphalt. With every step there is a degree of shock absorption. This shock can be felt throughout your entire body.

Elliptical trainers reduce impact through their elliptical motion. Your feet never leave the foot pedals. There is no reverse action, or significant impact. Consequently there is virtually no shock absorption to your joints. The motion of an elliptical trainer simulates the natural path of the ankle, knee and hip joints during walking, jogging or running. And yet you still get a weight bearing workout, which builds bone density, and inhibits the onset of osteoporosis.

With a treadmill you are constantly lifting your feet and impacting the treadbelt with every stride. Treadmills are designed to absorb some of the impact, but there is still that constant jolt to your joints.

Upper and Lower Body Workout

In addition to the low impact exercise, elliptical trainers workout both the upper and lower body simultaneously. By exercising several muscle groups at once you are able to optimize your workout. By involving more muscle mass in your aerobic workout you increase the efficiency of your workout.

When you exercise both the upper and lower body on an elliptical trainer, you utilize the quadriceps, glutes, chest, back, hamstrings, triceps and biceps. By exercising more muscle mass you attain the following benefits:

Regarding the reduced perceived rate of exertion, studies have shown that an elliptical trainer workout will often be perceived as less strenuous due to the combined upper and lower body exercise. The perception is that you get more results with less effort.

The benefits of an elliptical trainer workout have resulted in increased sales for both residential and commercial use. They are gaining in popularity at health clubs, and where several years ago you may have seen one or two, you now see rows of ellipticals.

If you haven’t used an elliptical you need to give one a try. If you are thinking about home fitness equipment, seriously consider an elliptical trainer. The benefits surpass those you receive from a treadmill, and you will be doing your body a favor.

Fred Waters worked in the fitness equipment industry for a number of years and is author of the Elliptical Trainer Review site. Get the latest reviews and ratings on the most popular elliptical trainers.

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If you work out at a health club you probably noticed that in the last few years there are fewer treadmills, because they are being replaced by elliptical trainers. And although treadmills still outsell ellipticals in total numbers, elliptical sales are growing at a faster rate.

What is driving the popularity of elliptical trainers? There are two factors that make elliptical trainers so appealing:

Benefits of a Low Impact Workout

Most types of exercise require some type of impact and/or reverse action. For example, when you walk each step is impacting force on your ankles, knees and lower back. That impact is minor in comparison to running, which can be as much as 2.5x your body weight. Over the years that constant pounding can result in long-term injuries and strains.

Elliptical trainers reduce the hazards of impact through an elliptical motion.It feels like you are naturally walking or running without any real impact or reverse action, and yet it is a weight bearing exercise that contributes to building muscle and bone density.

If you look at the side of an elliptical trainer you’ll notice the shape of the motion is like a flat circular pattern. Budget ellipticals tend to be more circular and bouncy, while quality machines have a flatter circular motion and more of an even stride. Regardless, the elliptical motion significantly reduces the impact to your joints, and that is why elliptical trainers are appealing to older individuals and people with injuries. It is becoming the exercise machine of choice for the “baby boomers.”

Benefits of an Upper and Lower Body Workout

The concept of exercising the upper and lower body simultaneously is revolutionary. An elliptical workout utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps and biceps. There is no other machine that offers this benefit. You are not only exercising more muscle group, you are also optimizing your energy expenditure. That means it is taking less time to achieve more results, like burning calories and increasing your cardio capacity. A number of elliptical trainers allow you to reverse the motion, thereby emphasizing resistance to even more parts of your muscles.

By exercising more of your muscle mass you improve fat mobilization, which results in burning more calories and building muscle endurance more efficiently. Certain experts have suggested that this dual action process reduces the perceived rate of exertion. In other words, you are exercising harder without a noticeable difference from a less strenuous workout.

The benefit of an upper and lower body workout, combined with low impact exercising, are the reasons why elliptical trainers are so popular. And there is one other feature that should be noted. In comparison to treadmills, elliptical trainers require considerably less maintenance. That is due to the fact there are fewer moving parts, and less wear from impact.

If you haven’t tried an elliptical trainer, get to your local health club or a fitness equipment store and take one for an elliptical spin. Avoid the budget models and test the machines that are at least $1,000+. They have a more natural elliptical motion and are more stable and durable.

You’ll find that an elliptical trainer can have a major impact on your health and fitness.

Fred Waters worked in the fitness equipment industry for a number of years and is author of the Elliptical Trainer Rating and Review site. Check out the latest reviews on over 40 of the most popular elliptical trainers, and get important buying tips from the Elliptical Buyer’s Guide.

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