| Elliptical trainers are slowly becoming more popular | | | | burn more calories using an elliptical trainer during |
| than the traditional treadmill in many fitness | | | | the same period of time than if you were |
| centers. They are both excellent tools for getting | | | | exercising on a treadmill. It goes without saying |
| a good cardio fitness workout. However there are | | | | you will still have to do some strength training to |
| some significant differences in these fitness | | | | get a complete upper body work out but given |
| machines and what they accomplish. If you are in | | | | that time is a premium this is better than no |
| the market to purchase a good aerobic trainer, | | | | upper body workout. |
| knowing these differences can assist you in your | | | | Elliptical trainers are a favorite tool for many |
| decision making. | | | | physical therapists when rehabilitating hip and leg |
| Elliptical trainers are very popular due the almost | | | | joints. Exercise physiologist also use them when |
| total lack of body impact with the ground. This is | | | | working with elderly patients. One drawback to |
| very important for people with damaged joints or | | | | ellipticals is their height. People with balance |
| suffering from arthritis. Treadmills are harder on | | | | problems or fear of falling are not good |
| your joints and many fitness professionals and | | | | candidates for elliptical trainers. |
| physical therapist have concluded that you are | | | | Elliptical trainers have an additional feature that |
| better off doing your exercise outside. Treadmills | | | | make them a unique fitness machine and that is |
| have a problem that is little talked about but can | | | | the ability to go backwards. At first you may |
| be serious if you have joint problems. When your | | | | think this is no big deal but if you do an exercise |
| foot hits the belt on the treadmill the belt slips | | | | routine in reverse your quadriceps will some be |
| forward. Many times this is because the treadmill | | | | notifying you of your error. If you have a Life |
| is improperly maintained. However this slip forward | | | | Fitness elliptical trainer you have the ability to |
| can cause knee stress and problems. | | | | change the angle or incline which will further |
| Elliptical trainers can also cause problems it the | | | | provide exercise benefits. Different exercise |
| trainer does not have a long enough stride for | | | | programs and features reduce exercise boredom, |
| people with long legs and if the pedals do not | | | | which means you will more likely continue your |
| adjust to your natural foot position. The motion | | | | exercise and fitness efforts. |
| of an elliptical trainer has been compared to | | | | Treadmills are great if you are young, fit and |
| running on air. However it is poor training for | | | | without joint problems. They are especially suited |
| marathon runners as the motion is relatively | | | | for distance runners. However the newer elliptical |
| unnatural. In this case with good joint health a | | | | trainers have taken over in many fitness centers. |
| treadmill would certainly be a better choice. | | | | Ellipticals ability to give you a high intensity upper |
| Elliptical trainers have been hyped for there ability | | | | and lower body workout while protecting your |
| to give the users a better aerobic workout with | | | | joints has drawn rave reviews. Now may be the |
| less perceived effort. They give the user an | | | | time to take an elliptical trainer for a test ride and |
| opportunity to do an upper body workout at the | | | | see if you agree that provide a quality exercise |
| same time as a lower body fitness routine. | | | | routine. |
| Basically this means you have the potential to | | | | |