Probably one of the most popular pieces of equipment at a fitness center is an elliptical machine. Not only is it a relatively low impact machine, but it also helps you work out both your upper body and lower body simultaneously.
Some also claim that working with an elliptical machine has quickened their fracture recovery. While this machine is not as popular as stationary bikes or treadmills, it can often be much more beneficial for your body than either of those two equipment.
Read on to find out about 12 elliptical benefits for a healthier lifestyle.
12 Benefits of Using an Elliptical Trainer
Let’s introduce you to the main benefits of using the elliptical trainer.
Doesn’t Strain Your Body
Elliptical trainers don’t really put much strain on your body. They are much more comfortable to use than doing other higher impact activities such as running on a treadmill.
Some folks even have to endure serious injuries from doing too much, because they think that only a high impact machine can help them achieve their health goals.
Though high impact exercises can be beneficial for the short term, an elliptical trainer ensures that you do not face any severe issues with your joints later on in life.
Aids in Weight Loss Efforts
This goes without saying, but an elliptical trainer, among many other things, also helps you lose weight. It can burn anywhere from 150 to 400 calories within half an hour, based on your speed and weight.
Because it is low impact, by the time you are done with your cardio on an elliptical trainer, you will still have plenty of time left to do some more fat-burning workouts.
Tones Both the Upper and Lower Parts of the Body
Elliptical trainers which come with handles let you work on your lower and upper body simultaneously. This helps to evenly distribute the body’s weight and its resistance.
In fact, if used properly, an elliptical trainer can target your quads, triceps, biceps, glutes, hamstrings, back, chest, and core muscles.
Try to distribute your resistance evenly throughout your body when using this trainer so that you can get the best results.
Helps Control Blood Pressure Levels
The release of serotonin in your brain when you use an elliptical machine can help reduce your blood pressure. If you exercise on it daily, it can also positively impact your hypertension.
If you have recently had surgery or are on medication for hypertension, you may need to consult your doctor before stepping onto an elliptical trainer. But if you have the clearance to use it, then you will definitely see a reduction in your blood pressure and stress levels.
Boosts Stamina and Increases Capacity for Cardio
A short and intense or a longer and less intense elliptical training session daily will improve your stamina for cardio. This is because an elliptical trainer makes your heart and lungs work intensively to get oxygen running throughout your body.
Once you become used to it (usually within 10 days), there will be a noticeable increase in your stamina and overall performance when exercising.
Great for Improving and Maintaining Cardiovascular Health
The main appeal of an elliptical trainer is how much it can help your heart’s health. It provides you with an easy and great workout that gets your heart to work to its full potential.
Even though an elliptical trainer can get your heart pumping more than a treadmill does, it is still a much less intense workout that does not tire you out too badly.
In short, your heart gets healthier without your body becoming exhausted and unusable for the next few hours.
Helps Improve Balance
Because an elliptical trainer requires you to move your arms and legs simultaneously, it conditions your body into having better mobility and balance. This also improves the coordination between your brain and limbs.
Another way you can use the elliptical machine to improve your balance is if you let go of the handles and stand up straight to work on your core muscles.
However, you need to be sure that the incline and resistance levels are set to levels which you can work with safely when not using the handles.
Aids in Recovery from Injuries
If you are recovering from an injury that is keeping you away from exercising properly, an elliptical trainer would be a great way of maintaining your fitness and keeping your body used to exercising.
The trainer puts very little stress on your muscles and joints while also keeping up your blood circulation and reducing stress.
Using an elliptical trainer when in recovery from an injury can fasten your journey of regaining your full range of motion. Not only will it strengthen your muscles and joints, but it will also not put pressure on your injured area.
Easy to Use
All you need to do when using an elliptical trainer is to push a few buttons, choose your preferred settings, and start working out. Since it works out your whole body, the need for an organized workout routine is almost completely eliminated.
You can even set it up in front of a TV or listen to music, podcasts, or audio books while working out. Since using an elliptical trainer is not an intense form of exercise, it leaves you with ample attention to spare for other things while you use it.
Offers a Variety of Exercising Options
Even though an elliptical trainer is a low impact machine, it still offers you an array of workout programs with varying levels of intensity. You can alternate resistance between your upper body and lower body or mimic the motions of climbing a hill.
Some of these trainers also come with a wireless control option for your heart rate, so that it can change the resistance level according to your heart rate.
Does Not Require Frequent Maintenance
Unlike some modern-day fitness machines, elliptical trainers do not have a lot of moving parts. Given that they are not high impact, it makes them very easy to maintain.
Their low maintenance quality is the reason why most people opt for elliptical trainers when buying a fitness machine for their home.
Helps Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness
It is no secret that exercising makes you happy by releasing a chemical called serotonin. While any form of exercise can help do that, the low impact feature of an elliptical trainer ensures that you are also free of stress.
This helps make exercising a task that you look forward to completing, because not only does it take the pressure off your body while you work out, it also improves your mental state.
Conclusion
Exercising is not a favorite part of the day for most people. But with machines such as elliptical trainers, this tedious activity is made easy, less time-consuming, and extremely beneficial.
If any of the above benefits seem like something you need, then an elliptical trainer will definitely be a great investment for you.
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