!8: Used Elliptical Training Machine: January 2012

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Benefits of Elliptical Training

!±8± The Benefits of Elliptical Training

When you walk into your gym, have you noticed that there are more and more elliptical training machines popping up? In my gym, they have more elliptical machines than treadmills. So what's the big deal about elliptical training? Elliptical training has only started gaining popularity in the 2000's and their popularity seems to be growing. Elliptical training provides another cardiovascular exercise which has many of the benefits of running but without the stress and strain on your lower body. It is particularly popular in the baby boomer age group as many people in that generation suffer from osteoporosis or aging joints.

The obvious benefit of elliptical training is that it is low impact. The shape of the elliptical movement copies the same motion as walking, jogging or running. It is a circular motion, but does not require your lower body to absorb any jolt as your feet do not leave the foot pedals. This is specifically beneficial to individuals who have knee or joint injury or to older individuals who would like to exercise at level close to running/jogging and would like to have the same benefits.

Another benefit of the elliptical training machine is that it also works the upper body by using handlebars. The handlebars copy cross country skiing and moves with the elliptical motion. The elliptical simultaneously works the chest, back, triceps, biceps, hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes, thereby toning your entire body. By using your entire body, the amount of energy expended is optimized, allowing you to burn more calories. Another feature of the elliptical machine that is beneficial is its reverse motion. By selecting reverse mode, users can do the elliptical motion in reverse which allows the user to concentrate on other muscle groups in the body.

Like running, an elliptical workout is a cardiovascular workout. This cardio workout allows the heart to strengthen, thereby reducing the chance of heart attacks or strokes. It is also very good for weight loss because the high amount of calories that can be burned by the full body workout. Elliptical machines also have built in programs which are catered to what the user would like to target. The user can also adjust the resistance in order to burn more calories and build muscle and bone density.