With elliptical trainers getting more and more popular, it's no wonder that most gyms are now filled with row after row of these machines. They certainly have a unique premise - combining the best of stair steppers and treadmills, and topping them both by adding arm bars that give you an upper body workout as well.

The big question when these trainers first hit the market was whether or not they worked as advertised. Could one machine really do the work of two, or was this going to be another in long line of passing workout fads?

Let's start by talking about the machines that an elliptical takes the place of. Stair climbers do a great job of strengthening your legs, and can give a decent cardio workout if done long enough. But you really aren't doing anything at all with your upper body.

Conversely, jogging on a treadmill probably gives you the best cardio workout that a machine can provide. However, there is no strength training component whatsoever. Another point to consider is this: if you are planning to buy these machines for use at home, both of them (and the treadmill in particular) take up a tremendous amount of space.

But many folks interested in improving their fitness don't care about any of the above items. They just want to know one thing: will an elliptical burn as many calories as the other two machines?

Well, beyond the obvious difference in the smaller amount of space it takes up, elliptical trainers are designed to maximize the lower body work of a stair-climber in combination with a full-fledged cardio workout. However, these machines up the ante by adding an upper body strength training component as well. Ellipticals include long, ski-like poles that can be used to improve arm strength as well.

These machines gets their uniqueness from the center wheel at the heart of the unit. This wheel moves in an elliptical motion rather then a circular one. This motion and movement is what gives the lower body such a great workout, and the poles work in conjunction to give you a good upper body workout as well.

They can also bet set up to run specific types of programs with varying lengths of time and speeds. These can be adjusted as your fitness level improves. To top it off, because using an elliptical demands that you are at least somewhat coordinated, it keeps the exercise from ever getting boring!

As it turns out, elliptical trainers deliver on their promise of two workouts for the price of one machine. This appears to be one new piece of fitness technology that is here to stay.


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Many of us find that as we get older it is more difficult to stay in shape and exercise. We no longer participate in team sports and it is common for older people to have a more sedentary job.

As we age, it is common for muscle mass to decrease. This can result in a reduction in strength particularly for seniors. Balance and flexibility can also be reduced and reaction times are slower. But it is not all bad news. A sensible exercise program can increase strength and endurance and have a positive effect on a person's self-confidence.

Many older people do not like the idea of exercising at a health club. This may be because they are self-conscious or just prefer to do things in a more private setting. Thankfully there are many pieces of exercise equipment that can be used at home.

One of the most popular types of home exercise is to use an elliptical trainer. These machines are ideal for people that want to improve their cardiovascular fitness and also their strength.

They're suitable for older people because they have a smooth elliptical action. This is particularly gentle on the knee, hip and ankle joints. In this respect they are a better choice compared to a treadmill.

Another benefit that they have compared to a treadmill is that they also exercise the arms. This enables you to get a full body workout.

Many professional gyms will have a range of elliptical trainers available. However, they are also widely available for home use. Indeed, they are fast becoming the most popular piece of home fitness equipment. This is largely because they are efficient, quiet and low impact. These are the very points that make them ideal pieces of exercise equipment for older people.


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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.



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