Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical Trainers: the Best Fat Burning Exercise Equipment

What is an elliptical trainer?

People call them cross trainers, steppers, stair masters, all kinds of things, but elliptical trainers are simply cardiovascular machines that move your legs in a smooth, rounded motion, almost like riding a bike standing up. They are different from stair climbers, which require your legs to move in and up-and-down motion.

Some ellipticals provide arm handles that allow you to switch the bulk of your work from your lower body to your upper body, simulating cross country skiing (hence the name “cross trainer”). Others simply work your legs and glutes. Depending on your target spots, there’s an elliptical trainer out there for you somewhere.

I prefer elliptical trainers over all other indoor exercise equipment and here’s why:

They’re actually fun to use. I can stay on an elliptical for forty-five minutes without getting bored, even if I don’t have anyone to talk to.
They’re extremely low impact machines, which means there’s very little (if any) shock being absorbed by your joints. People with knee and hip problems benefit greatly from this.
They’re awesome for burning fat. You burn just as many calories on an elliptical as you do jogging, but it doesn’t feel like you’re working as hard.
They’re safe. They’re set up to help you align your body so that it’s easy to maintain proper form.

Some things to keep in mind when using elliptical trainers:

Never lock your knees when you straighten your legs. Be careful to keep your knees slightly bent.
Keep your shoulders as relaxed as possible and avoid leaning too far forward.
Set the resistance level so that you’re raising your heart rate without resorting to turbo speed. A lot of people tend to use no resistance and they go too fast. Find a pace that’s right for you and adjust the resistance to make it a good workout.

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Some fun, affordable workouts you can do at home:

Elliptical Trainers: the Best Fat Burning Exercise Equipment

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