Exercise Equipment: The Benefits of an Elliptical Trainer
by Ainuddin Mohamad
The number one reason that elliptical trainers can
be a great addition to your workout is the fact that they have
no impact. This makes them easier on the joints than walking
outdoors or even using a treadmill. Those with joint pain or
stiffness can use it easier than some...
When choosing the equipment for your home gym, you have a variety of options. One popular piece of equipment is an elliptical trainer. It has many benefits that make it quite an addition for your home gym. Here are some of the examples.
The number one reason that elliptical trainers can be a great addition to your workout is the fact that they have no impact. This makes them easier on the joints than walking outdoors or even using a treadmill. Those with joint pain or stiffness can use it easier than some other equipment. It can be very beneficial for those who have back, knee, hip, or joint problems get in a good workout. Getting moving helps stimulate muscles, blood flow, and even bone regeneration to help keep users feeling healthier and stronger.
Another benefit of elliptical trainers is that despite the fact that they are no impact, they do offer resistance exercise. Resistance exercise has been proven to not only help your muscles, but also to help build the bone density necessary to prevent osteoporosis. Resistance exercise also helps to burn calories longer and more efficiently, speeding up weight loss if that is one of your goals. It increases blood flow around the body, causing everything to work more efficiently. Increased blood flow equals increased oxygenation, which helps with cell growth.
Elliptical trainers also use both the upper and lower body. This can cut your workout time in half, as you are essentially getting two workouts done for the price of one. Working both areas of the body at once can also make it seem like you are doing less work, while you are actually doing more and burning more calories. Studies on elliptical trainers suggest that users burn approximately the same amount of calories during the same amount of time as joggers running an eleven-minute mile.
Since elliptical trainers are a combination of both a treadmill and a stair climber, you can get the benefits of both while still varying your workout. You can easily switch back and forth between the three, and you may be surprised that after a few weeks of using an elliptical you can tackle tougher challenges on the other machines. Not to mention that if variety is what you crave in your workout, you can also do exercises backwards on your elliptical. Some models even have the capability to download workouts from the Internet, giving you more options for staying fit.
If you are short on gym space or on a budget, and elliptical trainer may be the answer for you. Elliptical trainers tend to be smaller than treadmills and easier to move and store. This can be great if you have a small gym without much floor space. If you are limited on the amount of workout equipment that you can purchase either due to budget or space concerns, and elliptical trainer can be a good option since it does the exercising of two separate machines.
Once you have decided that an elliptical trainer is right for you, there are some things you should look for. Stride length is important, and should be 21 inches. This is comfortable for most people. An adjustable incline will help you to get the best workout. The motion should be smooth and easy and quiet. You will also want adjustable resistance for the best workout. Safety feature options include, warm-up and cool-down adjustments, handrails for balance, easy to operate console, and a heart rate monitor. If you plan on keeping your elliptical trainer around a while, you will also want to look into getting one that has a good warranty. Shop around and test out several models before making your final purchase. If you are still unsure as whether it is the right purchase for you, try using one at a gym or workout center to see how you like it for the entire workout.
Always check with a doctor before changing anything in your workout, especially if you have recent illness or injury or are new to working out. Once you have found the elliptical trainer that is right for you, you are well on your way to a fun a varied workout with many health benefits.
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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