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Elliptical Exercise Machines Provide Low Impact, Total Body Workouts
While Improving Cardiovascular Health
Ever since their introduction on the fitness scene several years
ago, elliptical exercise machines have become increasing more
popular and sophisticated. Estimates indicate that over six million
people now prefer elliptical machines as their choice for home
exercise equipment. The main reason elliptical exercise machines
have become so popular is that they provide a low impact, total body
workout that is challenging enough for serious athletes but safe
enough for beginners and even expectant mothers. And when it comes
to cardiovascular workouts, elliptical machines are tough to beat.
Low
Impact Workout
Over time, research has shown that in order to maintain healthy bone
density, it is necessary to engage in weight-bearing activities such
as running, racquetball, aerobics, and other forms of exercise where
you remain on your feet. But many of these activities involve
jarring the bones and muscles and can aggravate old injuries and
even cause new ones. The joints that can be injured or irritated
with an impact form of exercise are usually the knees, ankles, hips
and back. Pregnant women, people with arthritis, and those who are
recovering from an accident often require a low impact exercise
routine, and that is exactly what the elliptical exercise machines
provide.
With an elliptical machine, you stand with your feet on small,
movable platforms, so you are bearing weight, which is good for bone
density. But the oval pedaling movement of the machine, which is
caused by you stepping up and down on the platforms or pedals, is
smooth and flowing. This is the same type of elliptical pattern
that the human foot follows when we walk or run. Although the
movement is similar to these activities, there is none of the
jarring that usually takes place when outdoors or on a treadmill.
With an elliptical exercise machine, your feet never leave the
footpads. Not only does this make for a safer workout, it reduces
the stress on your joints.
Many people have compared elliptical exercise equipment to pedaling
a bike while standing up. Others have said they are like a cross
between stair climbers and cross country skiing. But unlike a stair
stepper, which comes to a halt before reversing direction between up
and down strokes, an elliptical machine provides continuous flow.
By using different inclines and stepping speeds, you vary the amount
of flexion at the ankle and knees and further reduce the amount of
repetitive impact on your feet, legs, and back.
An
elliptical machine provides the benefits of weight bearing exercise
but without the harmful stress and impact on your joints and
muscles. There are few home exercise machines out there that give
the same quality low impact workout.
Total Body Workout
Elliptical exercise machines also provide a total body workout.
Because you are standing and walking or running in place, you use
your leg muscles as well as those in your buttocks, back, and
abdomen. Most elliptical machines have a setting to reverse the
direction of motion, allowing you to “go backwards” and work
additional muscles that very few other exercise workouts target.
In
addition, you can swing your arms, carry small hand weights, or use
elliptical machines that come with handles and arms to enhance your
upper body workout as well, sculpting your biceps, triceps and other
upper body muscles while increasing your calorie burn and
cardiovascular impact. Exercise experts caution that resting your
arms on the frame of the machine or the upper body handles decreases
the overall impact of the workout. They stress the importance of
letting your legs and torso carry all of your weight so that you get
the highest level of total body workout.
Many elliptical machines allow you to adjust the resistance setting
and change the incline. These adjustments increase the challenge
level of your workout and also target different sets of muscles.
The standing position and motion used to operate the machine provide
for excellent hip extension and flexion as well as outstanding knee
range of motion. For an all over body workout, few home gyms
compare to an elliptical machine.
Cardiovascular Workout
Research has found that elliptical exercise machines also provide
some of the best cardiovascular workouts of any home fitness
equipment. The cardio benefits come from the fact that you are
getting a total body workout and using many muscle groups. 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. Some elliptical machines come with built in, programmable
computers and heart rate monitors to help ensure that you are
getting the most out of your exercise routine. The better machines
have five to seven different workouts that can be programmed.
In
addition, many people feel that the elliptical motion feels natural
and is easy to sustain. They find that elliptical machines
compliment and enhance normal body movements, making it feel as
though this type of workout requires less exertion than other types
of exercise. But in fact, studies have shown that elliptical
exercise works the cardio muscles and burns calories on a level
equal or greater than treadmills, stair steppers and other similar
equipment. It only feels easier to use an elliptical machine.
Because most people find elliptical exercise equipment easy and fun
to use, they are more likely to workout on a regular basis.
Ongoing, consistent exercise is a key aspect of attaining good
overall cardiovascular health.
Something For Everyone
Elliptical machine workouts have become one of the most popular
forms of exercise, both in the gym and at home. The ease of use for
all fitness levels, along with the low impact benefits,
cardiovascular features, and total body capabilities make elliptical
trainers an ideal choice for nearly anyone looking to get in shape,
lose some weight, or even train for athletic events.
The
increasing popularity of elliptical technology has led to many
different brands and models of equipment as well as numerous
variations on the technology. Those seeking to purchase elliptical
exercise equipment have many choices in a variety of price ranges,
from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Look for machines
that have a sturdy frame, adequately sized foot platforms, upper
body handles, and adjustable inclines and directions. With these
features on an elliptical home gym, you will be assured of getting a
low impact, cardio-friendly, total body workout.
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