03 Jan 12 Cardio Exercise – Elliptical Machine Benefits
Cardio Exercise – Elliptical Machine Benefits
There are many benefits to using an elliptical trainers. Some of the elliptical machine benefits include weight loss, cardiovascular health improvements, muscle toning, and mental health and wellness. An elliptical machine is a great tool for improving health and puts less stress on the body than other types of workout equipment.
Elliptical Machine Benefits – Weight Loss
Elliptical trainer machines are great for weight loss. Elliptical machines can give you a great workout that can burn about 200+ calories in about 30 minutes at a moderate intensity level. It is also much easier on your feet, knees, and hips than a treadmill or running outdoors. As long as you are maintaining a healthy diet an elliptical machine can yield great results for your weight loss efforts.
Elliptical Machine Benefits – Cardiovascular Health
Another of the important elliptical machine benefits is the great cardiovascular exercise you can get from the machine. The cardiovascular system is composed primarily of your heart and blood vessels, the purpose of which is to deliver oxygen to the various parts of your body through the blood.
Understandably, the health of this system is very important to your overall health. Heart disease or clogged arteries can lead to serious problems. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in many countries.
One of the things you can do to improve your cardiovascular health is to get about 30 minutes of exercise 5 times per week. This exercise should be vigorous enough to raise your heart rate to what is known as the “Cardio Zone.” To figure out what heart rate you should be targeting, first find your maximum heart rate by multiplying your age by 0.67, then subtract this number from 206.9. Here’s the formula:
Maximum Heart Rate = 206.9 – (0.67 * Age)
So, if you are 30:
206.9 – 20.1 = 186.8
70-85% of this number is your cardio heart rate zone. So, going with the example of 30 years of age, the cardio zone would be between 130 and 159 beats per minute. An elliptical machine can easily help you reach this target. It may be a good idea to find an elliptical machine that has a chest strap with a very accurate heart rate monitor to help you stay in the zone.
In addition to this, if you want to improve your cardiovascular health you should eat healthy. Avoid foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Smoking is another contributor to cardiovascular disease, so it may be a good idea to quit if you are a smoker.
Elliptical Machine Benefits – Muscle Toning
Toned muscles can also help you to lose or maintain weight. This is because your body exerts energy just to maintain muscle tissue, which raises your metabolism. Basically, you are burning more calories even when your aren’t doing anything.
To tone muscle with an elliptical trainer you should spend part of your workout using your arms to pump the ski pole like hand bars rather than pedaling with your feet. This can help build muscle tone in your arms. Also, pedaling in reverse and changing incline and resistance levels can help you target different muscle groups.
Elliptical Machine Benefits – Mental Health
As with any exercise routine, working out on an elliptical trainer machine has mental health benefits. Exercise is a great way to get rid of stress. In addition, you can generally let you mind wander freely while doing your exercise. I find this to be a great time to reflect on my day, to think of my plans for the future, and just to work though any unresolved thoughts going on in my head. In fact, I think best when I am in motion.
I often find that when I am in a mental funk that a moderate exercise is just the thing I need to pull me out and get me going again.
Tags: Benefits, Cardio, Cardio Exercise, Elliptical, Elliptical Machine, Exercise, Machine
02 Jan 12 Home Elliptical Trainers – Why You Need One
Home Elliptical Trainers – Why You Need One
The elliptical trainer is fast becoming one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment. You’ll see them in every profession health club and they are increasingly being bought for use in the home. Here are some of the benefits of using elliptical machines as part of your exercise program.
All Round Fitness
An elliptical trainer will work both your legs and your arms. This can help burn off more calories and tone the muscles in both of these areas. It also provides a great cardiovascular work out that builds stamina and endurance.
Low Impact
The gentle circular motion does not cause undue stress on the joints. Using equipment like a treadmill can cause stress to the knee and foot joints. This can lead to discomfort and in some cases injury.
Variety
A home elliptical trainer is easy to use but there is enough variety to stop you getting bored. You can add variety to your exercise routines by concentrating on using your arms for 2 minutes then your legs for 2 minutes and alternating this through your work out. You can also take advantage of the ability to go backwards. Most of the new ellipticals have built in programs on their computers, which will add another interesting dimension to your exercise routines.
Quiet
Modern elliptical machines use magnetic or electromagnetic resistance and they are very quiet to use. This is ideal for the home setting where you maybe exercising in a room where others are also relaxing. Their quiet operation also makes listening to music or watching TV possible during your workout.
Value for Money
Home elliptical machines are available in all price ranges from budget machines right up to professional models. When you compare them to the price of an annual gym membership they work out at amazing value for money. And as a bonus, the whole family can enjoy using it.
Tags: Elliptical, Elliptical Trainers, Trainers
01 Jan 12 Top Elliptical Training Machines Review
Top Elliptical Training Machines Review
An elliptical trainer is a great way to get an all round workout. It offers a better workout than the treadmill and it gives you several ways to use it, so you can vary your workout routine. There are several top elliptical training machines that are designed to give you the best performance and workout possible.
The first Elliptical trainer to mention is at the top of the price range. However, it is loaded with excellent features that make it one of the best around. It is called the Precor 5.37 EFX elliptical. It has a unique convertible arms technology with twenty levels of electromagnetic resistance. IT has variable stride length and fourteen varying ram angles. The modes available include; quick start, manual, three intervals, three weight loss, four pre-programmed, two custom and four heart rate modes. It allows you to have four users ID`s so that the entire family can enjoy the benefits of this machine without having to continuously keep loading personal information. This trainer also has a continuous heart monitor feature that keeps you in the loop.
The Star Trac ST 4820 club style elliptical trainer is also one of the best. It offers club quality right in the comfort of your own home. It has a rust proof aluminum guarantee and offers a smooth and quiet workout, so that you don`t disturb everyone around you. It has a recovery function and extra wide articulating foot plates which offer a natural free flow movement to the front. IT can be transported through its use of wheels and it has self control power supply. It comes with one of the biggest warranties available and can handle up to three hundred pounds of weight.
The Proteus 3088 Elliptical Dual-Action machine features a large matrix window. It gives up to eight programs including one manual and five pree set and two HRC. It also has another LED window that reads out information. This machine gives out the time, speed, distance, calories and pulse. A smart module automatically calculates your target heart rate and adjusts the resistance accordingly. It will also ensure that your heart rate is maintained during the entire duration of your workout.
The Star Trac ST 4805 Elliptical trainer gives you what you need in a professional trainer. It combines strength training with a dynamic body sculpting excursuses. Extra wide articulating foot movements for maximum stability and range of motion. It features an extra low step up height accommodates lots of users safely. It is designed for low ceilings and small spaces. This machine will increase your metabolism through customized programs and conditioning. It has twelve built in program profiles, or you can choose to use your heart rate to control the routine with f our heart rate control options. You can also custom your exercise profile to develop and pin point individual fitness goals. This machine offers you a way to achieve an effective workout that is conveniently located right at home for the ultimate workout.
With so many great machines to choose from, it comes down what features you need and require for your workout. You can truly achieve a great and customized workout using one of these fantastic workout machines. Not only are you working out at home, which has its own benefits, you are also choosing one of the top of the line machines that is guaranteed to give you the quality and performance that it claims to have.
Tags: Elliptical, Elliptical Machines, Machines, Review, Review Machines, Training
31 Dec 11 Finding the Best Workout Machine For YOU!
Finding the Best Workout Machine For YOU!
Horizon Elliptical trainers get straight to the point of giving you a compact fitness machine without having to spend a lot of money on expensive gym programs, and should be carefully considered when you want to work out in the comfort of your own home without having to go to the gym.
The membership fees, extra lessons, “specially designed” fitness programs, nutritional supplements and the other little things that most gyms want you to spend on are usually in excess and are often things that you may not even be asking for. A Horizon Elliptical trainer, on the other hand, keeps the overall expenses down without compromising bodily fitness:
Cardio Exercises
One of the most important aspects of exercise is the cardio exercises. Burning calories, strengthening the lungs and making the heart more capable of dealing with stress are all essential benefits that a good cardio machine gives, and the Horizon Elliptical trainers do not fail to deliver: the pedals which make up the core design of a trainer is specifically designed with cardio exercises in mind. This means you have a very powerful and compact system for working out your cardiovascular system while burning up calories; shaving those pounds in time.
Muscle Toning
Along with the cardio exercises, the Horizon Elliptical trainer, like the elliptical cross trainer, also serves as a muscle toning device for your arms, legs and abdominal muscles. The pedals are a given muscle-toner: the variable resistance rates means that you can increase or decrease the weight your legs will have to push with each step, and you can build up those leg muscles as much as you want.
The hand grips attached to the pedals, on the other hand, serve more than simple supports for you as you work out: by flexing your arms, your flex both your arm muscles and your abdominal muscles. This repetitive motion makes the muscles in these regions more toned and shaped than if you had simply gone jogging or followed some other form of exercise.
Tags: Finding, Finding Workout, Machine, Workout, Workout Machine
29 Dec 11 Mini-Elliptical Benefits
Mini-Elliptical Benefits
Mini-Elliptical Machines
The mini-elliptical trainer is a popular and very beneficial addition to anyone’s home fitness regime. It has been said that the elliptical will soon replace the treadmill. A great aspect of the elliptical is that it incorporates both upper & lower body into your workout. You can even make your workout harder by using resistance bands or add hand weights.
Benefits of the Mini-Elliptical Machine
No Impact:The elliptical duplicates the same natural movement of your body as when you are walking, running or jogging. But when you are on the elliptical there is no impact on your joints, it is just fluid movement.
Upper & Lower Body Workout: This machine gives you a great workout because it works both the upper and lower body at the same time. Most elliptical machines are equipped with handles that are used to exercise your arms and upper body, while at the same time the pedals work your legs and lower body. The pedals go in forward or reverse. When pedaling in reverse you are working the same muscles but in a different way.
Great for Cross-training: Since the elliptical is a combination of the treadmill and the stepper it can also be used if you like to cross-train.
Benefits your Heart: When working out on the elliptical you burn the same amount of calories that you would if you were running on a treadmill. If you like to swim for exercise you will burn twice the number of calories on the elliptical that you burn after a moderate swim. This is great for your cardiovascular system, because your heart rate will rise very quickly due to the fact that you are working both upper and lower body together, this will strengthen your heart muscle. Another plus is your metabolic rate will also increase and that means you will be losing weight all through the day even after you finish your workout.
Tones your Muscles: The fluid movement of the elliptical tones the muscles of your arms and legs while strengthening and toning the abdominal and back muscles.
Builds Endurance: Another great benefit of the elliptical is that it will build up your endurance, so you don’t tire as easily. As little as 20-30 minutes a day on the elliptical can give you more energy to do those chores that you are normally too tired to do.
Low Maintenance & Easy to Store: With the mini-elliptical you don’t have to worry about belts, motors, bearings, rollers etc. wearing out. It is smaller than a treadmill making it easy to store. If you have very limited space this is the perfect piece of exercise equipment for you.
To sum it all up the mini-elliptical is great for improving over-all fitness, toning and losing weight. You can change up your routine by alternating between the forward movement and the backward movement. The mini-elliptical is available with handles or without. If you prefer the one without, you can rev up your routine by adding hand weights or using exercise bands. This puts variety into your workout to avoid getting bored with the same routine all the time. This is a great product for home fitness.
Tags: Benefits, Benefits MiniElliptical, MiniElliptical, MiniElliptical Benefits
28 Dec 11 How to Work Out With an Elliptical Trainer
How to Work Out With an Elliptical Trainer
If you’re ready to start working out with an elliptical trainer, it’s very easy to get started. Whether you’re using your own new trainer at home or using a gym machine for the first time, there are just a few steps to take.
First, choose appropriate footwear and clothing for an elliptical workout. You don’t need specialized shoes or gear for this machine. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes made of an absorbent material and a pair of sneakers. Avoid sneakers that fit too tightly, as pinched toes can make your feet start to feel numb on an elliptical machine.
Although most elliptical machines have programmable workouts, when starting out it’s easiest to just use the manual setting. Focus on learning the basic movements involved in training and pay attention to your target heart rate. Later on as you become more experienced, you can try varying your workouts with different inclines and reverse as well as forward motions.
Most people are amazed at how natural the movement involved in elliptical training feels. When you first start using one, remember to take it slow nonetheless. Focus on keeping your posture upright. Maintain a light grip on the handlebars and move slowly to allow yourself to get used to taking easy, full strides.
Whether you regularly work out on other fitness equipment or elliptical training is your first type of regular exercise, it’s important to avoid overdoing it at first. Elliptical training tends to feel a lot easier and less strenuous than other types of workouts. This is great news, but it also makes it easy to unintentionally overwork muscles. Limit your first workout to no more than 15 minutes.
As soon as you finish working out on an elliptical machine, be sure to stretch your muscles. This can help prevent muscle soreness and it’s also a great way to unwind after working out.
As you build up skills and develop the muscles involved in elliptical training, gradually increase how long you work out to 30 to 45 minutes. The more days a week you work out on an elliptical machine, the better your results will be.
Elliptical training burns a lot of calories, so even if you can only train for 20 minutes 4 times a week, you can see and feel results in a matter of weeks. The important thing is to maintain some consistency with how often you work out. It’s better to work out for shorter intervals more days of the week than to try to do one or two “long” sessions weekly on an elliptical machine.
Tags: Elliptical, Elliptical Trainer, Trainer, Trainer Elliptical
27 Dec 11 A Wide Range of Adustable Incline Elliptical Machines Fit any Budget
A Wide Range of Adustable Incline Elliptical Machines Fit any Budget
Elliptical trainers with an adjustable incline (either power or manual) are hard to come by in the fitness equipment market but there are a few machines out there that will meet various budget requirements. For years, elliptical machines with adjustable incline features have been sparse, but now it seems there are more elliptical machines on the market that feature an adjustable incline ramp.
Precore, Vision Fitness, Reebok and NordicTrack are all manufactures of elliptical machines with power incline. Precor elliptical machines are the most expensive. Most Precor machines come with power incline features either with stationary or moving handlebars. If a Precor is too expensive for your needs at home you may want try a more affordable machine in the lower budget range from Vision Fitness, Reebok or NordicTrack.
Reebok and NordicTrack appear to be selling the exact same model of machine, that has been re-branded for each company and sold at 9. These adjustable incline machines have an 18″ stride and fold up to save space. The new Vision Fitness incline ellipticals also have an great 18″ stride but are sure to offer a machine of higher quality for about 00 more. These do not fold up but are certainly going to offer a great value.
Adjustable incline elliptical trainers allow the user to target a wider range of muscle groups. There are usually 16 to 20 levels of incline, depending on the model, which vary from 4 to 30 degrees. Characteristic of the industry, few elliptical machines offer incline cross ramps, but even still, there are a few good choices that are sure to meet your budget needs.
Tags: Adustable, Budget, Elliptical, Elliptical Adustable, incline, Machines
