Posts Tagged ‘fitness elliptical trainers’
An extremely popular type of fitness exercise machine, elliptical machines were introduced in 1995 and have been developed enormously since then. An innovative design introduced by Reebok had moving arms to tone up both the upper and lower body. They are very popular both at home and at the gym for many reasons. Among the reasons are the low impact nature of the exercises which is gentle on the joints, back, hips and knees. The exercise they provide is also weight-bearing which is very good to help maintain bone density, especially in post menopausal women and they also efficiently burn calories. Elliptical trainers are smaller than treadmills and take up much less space. They are also low maintenance which helps to keep costs down. They provide aerobic and resistance training which is why they are called ‘cross trainers’. You can adjust the resistance for improved muscle tone in your arms and legs.
Types of Elliptical Trainers
Two types of elliptical trainers are available, front or rear drive. The movement of a rear drive machine makes the motion feel like stepping. For a front drive machine the motion is more like a treadmill. They can be used in both forward and backward motion which helps to tune up the muscles in the back of the legs and gives some variety to the training. Some of the expensive trainers have a motorized incline which will increase the level of training. Foot plates that pivot in a natural motion are a feature of some models.
Some Health Benefits of Using Elliptical Machines
Elliptical trainers are low impact fitness machines so they will not put undue strain on joints, knees and back. They will be more suitable therefore for those who have joint, knee or back problems. The aerobic workout on these machines is excellent for controlling high blood pressure, stress and heart problems. If used at higher levels they are also good for getting rid of body fat.
Some Features of Fitness Elliptical Trainers
When you’re buying an elliptical trainer find out the weight of the flywheel. A heavier fly wheel provides a less jerky, smoother motion. Cheap models with light flywheels can feel jerky and ’sticky’. A result of this is that you may put more pressure on to overcome this. Strain on the knees results which makes them uncomfortable to use. You will want a machine with a number of levels of resistance so you can easily change from aerobic exercise to a less vigorous but higher resistance exercise.
If you want a machine with a large number of built in work out programmes you will need to buy one of the more expensive models. if your machine only has a few programs you may start to get bored so it may be worth paying more for one with more programs. Some models have built-in heart rate programs which adjust the incline or speed to keep your heart rate at a preset level. Other programs include weight loss programs and hill run programs.
Conclusion
Whichever type of elliptical crosstrainer you are thinking of buying ensure you know how it works and that it has a suitable warranty. It’s a good idea to have a practise go on one at a local gym before you buy so that you can test out the motion and see if it is easy to use.