Elliptical Trainer

Elliptical Trainer Basics

Part stair climber, part treadmill, part stationary cycle, elliptical motion trainers are a hot aerobic machine.

Your legs travel both forward and backward in an elongated circular movement. On some models you also pump poles back and forth for an upper-body workout.

Also known as cross trainers, these machines exercise your bones as well as your heart. They provide a weight-bearing activity that still goes easy on the joints.

Various models have options that add variety. In addition to adjusting duration and speed, you can change resistance, direction and often the stride and the incline of the ramp. Some models have programs that focus on certain goals, such as losing weight or toning gluteal muscles. It’s also possible to improve balance and posture by not relying on the hand grips.

Upside of Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers provide a good break from the pounding of other aerobic activities.
They’re easy to use.
This exercise is an excellent cardio workout and a decent way to lose and keep off weight.
While exercising you can watch TV, catch up on your reading or spend some time with your daydreams and thoughts.
People with joint or bone problems may benefit from this low-impact exercise, though they should get a doctor’s OK first.

Downside of Elliptical Trainers

The calorie counters on most machines exaggerate your effort.
Poorly designed models will make you feel as if you're stumbling downhill on your tiptoes.
Some people consider this exercise tedious.
The upper body aspect doesn’t add much in the way of calorie burn or strength development.
Some people experience numbness in their toes when they elliptical train for longer periods of time.

Is an Elliptical Trainer for You?

This chart can help you see how elliptical trainers fit your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Body Parts Worked	Cardiovascular system, legs and in some cases the arms.
Calories Burned	Up to about 775 an hour for a 150-pound person, 1,025 for a 200-pound person.
Gear	An elliptical trainer and a good pair of light and flexible walking or running shoes.
Instruction/Facilities	You'll probably prefer using a high-quality gym model as opposed to the more cheaply made, poorly designed home models though some of the more expensive home models aren’t bad
Time	20 to 60 minutes, three to six times a week.
Schedule/Flexibility	Whenever the gym is open and the machine is free.

Elliptical Trainer Tips

Experiment with a combination of speed, slope and resistance level to find the proper workout intensity.
Use the calorie counter as a guideline rather than gospel.
As your body adjusts to the workout, you can increase resistance or time.
Practice good form, which especially means not relying on the handrails too much.
If your feet tend to get numb when using an elliptical trainer, try experimenting with different shoes and be sure to emphasize the push through the heel as you pedal.

Liz Neporent, MA on Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers provide an excellent low-impact cardio workout. These machines can particularly benefit people who need to get weight-bearing activity while minimizing stress on their joints.

Some people find this workout boring, but others like the ease of use and enjoy being able to zone out for a while.

Remember to incorporate strengthening and stretching exercises into your fitness program as well. Elliptical trainers provide mainly a cardio workout.

iVillagers on Elliptical Trainers

"My fiancé and I just bought a Nordic Track elliptical machine and I am hooked! It is extremely soft on my knees and the time flies by when I watch TV while I'm working out. It's not about the calories; it's about how great I feel after 45 minutes on it!" -- iVillager lks

"I've had an elliptical machine for two years and I use it as a coat rack. I can't get motivated and when I do, I get exhausted and my legs and knees hurt in less than five minutes." --iVillager ytharper

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