Centralized Fitness

Elliptical Reviews: Know the Facts:

Benefits of Using an Elliptical Machine:

• Low Impact Exercise: When using an elliptical machine, your feet stay in constant contact with the footpads. Thus, the joints in your legs experience no impact during proper use. This is especially helpful for people with joint issues or the elderly. The low impact nature of the elliptical trainer is one reason why people choose this machine over a treadmill. People recovering from injury or a surgery can greatly benefit from an elliptical machine during their rehabilitation.

• Whole Body Exercise: While using a treadmill, running, or jogging, you burn quite a bit of calories while at the same time building leg muscle mass. Elliptical machines have the same effect, but also work the upper body two. These machines have moving arms which move in conjunction with the footpads. This results in a true full body workout which works the chest, legs, shoulders, arms and back all at once.

• Aerobics: The elliptical machine is considered to have a high aerobic capacity. These types of machines allow users to work out for longer periods of time without getting burned out. Long periods of low to medium exertion on an elliptical trainer can promote heart health. Weight loss is another benefit.

• Leg Strength: While elliptical trainers are capable of working out the entire body, there is no doubt that the legs exert most of the energy while using this machine. Many muscle groups in the legs are trained, strengthened and toned. For an extreme leg workout, users can like all of the handlebars and use only their legs to power the pedals.

Why Elliptical Machines are Better Then Treadmills:

While treadmills and elliptical machines are both capable of dishing out an excellent aerobic workout, the elliptical machine has several key advantages over the treadmill. First off, elliptical machines have almost negligible impact and put very little stress on the hips, back and knees. When you walk, jog or run on a treadmill, each step sends a reverberating impact throughout your body and joints. As discussed above, the elliptical trainer can work out both the upper and lower bodies, whereas the treadmill can only work the lower. In addition, elliptical trainers can target muscle groups in the legs which treadmills cannot. This is done by peddling the elliptical machine in the reverse direction, targeting muscle groups such as the hamstrings and calves. Our elliptical reviews and treadmill reviews can show you the features of both machine types.