If you’re looking to start exercising for the first time or after a hiatus, you might be wondering about which is the best equipment to use. There are so many you can try. However, most wouldn’t come close to the elliptical machine. The elliptical machine is one of the best ways you can exercise. It is efficient on so many levels and can be an excellent addition for a person either at the pinnacle of their fitness journey or just starting.
It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, male or female, an elliptical will help you get the fitness results you desire. In case you aren’t convinced why it is among the best workout equipment, then have a look at the major reasons why it would be an excellent choice.
1. It’s an Easy Learning Curve
The first reason why you should consider the elliptical trainer is that it is easy to use. Once you’re on it, you start powering the pedals with your legs and push the handlebars with your hands. While the elliptical won’t be as easy to use as the treadmill, it doesn’t require any special knowledge to use it. It will take you just over ten minutes to have already got the hang of it.
Some people may find the elliptical easier to use than other equipment. This will rely a lot on individual biomechanics and how fast a person gets used to various equipment. Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t feel natural and normal using it at first. You shouldn’t use it as an excuse to give up, it just means you need to change things a little bit before you get an ideal style.
Adjusting the incline could work wonders for you. You might also find that how you hold the handlebars or where to place your feet helps or complicates matters. Additionally, if you’re short, you should consider holding the handlebars lower.
2. It Burns A Lot of Calories
If you’re exercising, the goal is to burn calories. That means you will want exercising equipment that will help you burn as many calories as possible. The elliptical will fit this role perfectly. So efficient is the elliptical when it comes to burning calories that your body continues burning calories way after the workout.
That is known as the EPOC, which is an acronym for post-exercise oxygen consumption. That is a way for your body to return to normal after the intense workout on the elliptical. It will thus continue burning calories even when at rest. That is in addition to the calories burnt when you were working out.
Comparing the treadmill to the elliptical, the elliptical ranks way higher in the number of calories it burns.
For all its ease-of-use, the treadmill won’t help you burn as many calories as those you will with the elliptical machine. The number of calories you burn directly corresponds to the weight you will lose. That is why an elliptical would be an excellent way to burn calories.
3. It Provides Strengthening Benefits for The Whole Body
Another reason you should try elliptical training because of the strengthening benefits it can have for your whole body. With an elliptical machine, it is easier to go against greater resistance which helps you build your strength. The elliptical training resistance might not be as considerable as the one you would get with weight lifting.
It will, however, go a long way in helping you tone and develop your muscles and thus increase your strength. You can think of resistance training with an elliptical machine as a mini weight lifting session. Another thing the elliptical will do is help you get rid of bad posture.
Bad posture is quite common today, with more and more people hunched over desks for long hours in the office. The elliptical machine will help you straighten your poise and help you have a better posture.
You will be forced to have an upright posture while working with the elliptical, which in the long run will help you have a better posture.
4. It is low impact
Another reason you would be well served using an elliptical machine is that it is low impact. That means it will have little to no impact at all on your body, especially the joints. If you are the kind to feel some aches or joint pains after every workout, maybe you need to switch to an elliptical machine.
No matter how hard you work, the elliptical machine won’t have too many negative consequences for your well-being. Joint pain can be hard to overcome once it sets it. That is why you need to use a workout machine that will help preserve the well-being of your joints and your whole body.
5. It is Customizable
You can also easily customize workouts according to your preferences. The elliptical is adaptable to any exercise you want to try. If you need more resistance, you can increase it on the machine. If you want to target your quads, all you need to do is add the elevation. Lowering the elevation will help you target the glutes and the hamstrings.
There are no muscles you can’t target with elliptical training. The fact that elliptical training is customizable means you can keep on changing your workout routines. For your body’s wellbeing and the effectiveness of your workouts, you have to keep on changing your workout routines.
6. It is a Lot of Fun
Working with an elliptical is not all work. It is also fun to work with an elliptical machine. Although you will be working your muscles hard, it won’t make you uncomfortable. That not only makes it easier for you to do more workouts but also to do them faster. You will feel good while working out with the elliptical.
It is a given that you will get tired, but it will be the type of tiredness you will love.
Those we have discussed are some of the main reasons you should choose to use an elliptical machine to train. Your body and your overall life will benefit as well.