Since bursting on the fitness scene five years ago, millions of elliptical home trainers have been installed in health clubs and homes.
"Elliptical trainers are the only real breakthrough aerobic product of the past few years," says Gregory Florez, spokesman for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). "They are absolutely not a gimmick."
Elliptical trainers combine the natural stride of a treadmill and the simplicity of a stair climber. On an elliptical trainer, you stand comfortably in an upright position while holding onto the machine's handrails and striding in either a forward or reverse motion.
What makes a trainer unique is the ability to offer a weight bearing workout that puts minimal stress on the joints. Your feet never leave the pedals of an elliptical trainer, thereby eliminating any impact in your workout.
Whether you go forward or reverse, and regardless of the level of resistance, there is a reduced risk of injury from overusing any one-muscle group.
Weight bearing exercises like that which you get with an elliptical trainer benefit the body in ways that non-weight bearing exercises like rowing and cycling cannot. Weight bearing workouts build bone density and burn calories more efficiently.
If you're trying to burn calories and trim down, the weight-bearing arm/leg exercise of an elliptical optimizes calorie burn and gives you an overall total body workout.
Elliptical Trainer Motion:
The low impact, cardiovascular workout of an elliptical trainer is achieved through smooth and natural motion. The fluid, non-jarring motion makes the elliptical trainer ideal for anyone with back, knee, hips and joint problems.
The dual action machines use both the legs and arm in providing a full upper and lower body workout.
Motion studies over the last decade show that the human foot moves through an elliptical pattern as we walk, run or jog. Fitness products that imitate and support this motion are the fastest growing new category of cardiovascular equipment.
With most people pressed for time, total body exercise can be a way to keep fit in less time. Getting more done in less time is one of the biggest trends in the exercise industry - and the elliptical is one of the best machines to do it.
Elliptical Trainer Technology:
Within the fitness industry, "Elliptical Technology" has become the generic name for machines that use various mechanisms in an effort to create a preferred pattern of movement for a pair of foot pedals.
The shape of this preferred movement is intended to mimic the natural path of the ankle, knee and hip joints experience during locomotion - walking, striding, jogging and/or running.
The most obvious advantage of Elliptical Technology is the lack of impact to the lower limbs and back. Unlike a treadmill in which the foot of the user is continuously lifted off of the running surface, striking that surface upon the return, the foot and foot pedal of an elliptical machine are in constant contact - effectively eliminating impact.
Not All Ellipticals Are Equal:
One note of caution when shopping for an elliptical trainer: Manufacturers of elliptical machines have developed many versions of elliptical technology. As a result, the field is full of machines that have a different "feel" - the
articulation of the ankle, knee and hip is different.
These cheaper ellipticals, can then strain your knees, ankles and hip joints. They can also result in less calories burned and a less efficient workout.
Keep in mind that in general - you get what you pay for with elliptical trainers.
Summary:
As more people take their health and fitness into their own hands, elliptical trainers will continue to grow in popularity.
They appeal to a population that is looking for an optimum workout for burning fat and calories as well as people who seek a total body workout, minus the impact.
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