Cross trainers, as they are also known, imitate the action of climbing the stairs or jogging. During a workout, you use two hand levers and two pedals together. Depending on your needs, the elliptical machine can have various adjustable features to make working out easier.
So what are the benefits of an elliptical machine?
1. Strength and Endurance
The elliptical machine enhances endurance and strength. It effectively targets any quadriceps that need strengthening, and you can be useful in whatever activity you are doing. Even better, the machine achieves that without putting any strain on the joints.
It is convenient, and you enjoy the benefits of working indoors, such as during unfavorable weather. Unlike jogging or walking, you build strength and endurance without experiencing the brunt of the weather.
2. Cardiovascular Benefits
Elliptical machines are most beneficial to your heart health. The workout machine increases the heart rate and enhances the aerobic capacity to make you a better athlete. As a result, your heart and your lungs function better, and that improves your health, as well as the quality of your life. Better cardiovascular and circulation health is at the center of productivity, and you can be the best at your place of work.
After using the elliptical for a few days, your stamina, and energy increases, and become a better worker. Exercising enhances creativity, and your work-rate improves.
3. Various Workout Programs
Elliptical trainers come equipped with various programs, and that make your workouts challenging and exciting. Some models allow you to vary the speed and the resistance according to strength and comfort level. You will also find some machines with preset programs, and you can use it right away, without having to make so many changes.
Some premium machines have a heart rate control system that increases the resistance and speed automatically based on your heart rate. It is easier to use since you don’t have to focus on the control console to make the necessary changes.
The machine also allows you to mimic starting workout conditions such as climbing a hill to make it even more exciting. You feel as if you are hiking, and enjoying the outdoors, even in poor weather. You don’t go outside, but you get the same experience, and that makes it convenient.
Some also mimic climbing the stairs, jogging, or walking. The most appropriate workout program depends on your preferences, and of course, the strength. The various programs provide you with a choice to vary the exercises and keep it interesting. For example, you may be too tired for the jogging program after coming home from work. In such a situation, you can choose to walk and burn some calories to keep fit.
4. Conforms to Your Natural Stride
Unlike some of the machines you find in the gym, the elliptical trainer conforms to your natural stride, and that has several benefits. The hip joints, knees, and ankles do not get so much strain, and it becomes more comfortable to work out. You can, therefore, burn calories without experiencing adverse effects on some parts of the body.
5. Low Maintenance
The low impact training means that there are fewer moving parts, and that has its advantages. It means that few parts wear out, and the maintenance demands are low. You don’t have to worry about the belts, rollers, and motors.
Most elliptical trainers have mouth-watering warranty agreements that further indicate the durability of the workout machine. It is not impossible to find some models with a lifetime warranty, and that pretty much highlights that the manufacturer is confident about the product. In any case, the warranty protects the buyer from instances where the product is defective.
The workout machine is also cheap compared to other devices such as a treadmill. You can get an affordable elliptical at a price under $500. That means you don’t have to strain so much to afford it, and you don’t incur extra costs to maintain or repair it.
6. Improves Your Balance
The elliptical trainer strengthens your core muscles, which improve your posture. The core muscles are responsible for holding the body structure upright, and you appear taller than you are. But apart from strengthening the core muscles, the trainer can also improve your balance.
You achieve a better balance by standing up straight and letting go of the handles. Just make sure the incline and resistance are set at manageable levels to make it easier for you. However, you may need to be careful. Avoid rushing the process.
7. Weight-bearing
Weight-bearing exercises are especially important for the elderly as they prevent the onset of particular conditions such as osteoporosis. The elliptical trainer is pretty much, unlike the indoor stationary bike. Osteoporosis is a bone-weakening condition that mostly affects the elderly. Folks with osteoporosis have delicate bones that break easily at the slightest impact.
But how does the elliptical trainer help strengthen the bones?
In particular, the hips, joints, ankles, and knees move in the same way, and that strengthens the bones. The exercises are non-impact, but they have a significant effect when it comes to having strong bones.
8. It is Non-impact
People suffering from joint problems, varicose veins, and arthritis will find the elliptical machines more comfortable to use. Unlike cycling and using the treadmill, the elliptical machine is non-impact. You don’t lose contact with the pedals, and you don’t experience any shock to the joints. The device is comfortable to use, even for the elderly.
The cross trainer is also beneficial for people who is recovering from an injury. For example, the machine can help you regain motion and balance after ACL surgery. Some medical professionals and hospitals encourage the use of a cross-trainer to speed up the recovery process, especially after a major medical procedure.
The adjustability of the elliptical trainer allows you to customize the machine according to the level of injury. That makes it easier to use regardless of the injury you are recovering from.
The reduced stress on the joints and other parts of the body allows you to build strength and muscles to experience a full recovery. You can regain full range of motion by only using the elliptical trainer, and enjoy an improved quality of life.
9. Weight Loss
Undeniably, many people are struggling with their weight, and are continually looking for solutions. Some studies claim that the workout machine could be as well be the perfect solution for people who need to lose extra pounds. You can lose as much as 400 pounds without feeling as if you’re doing it too much. It is low-impact, and you don’t feel as if you need to do too much to lose weight. As a result, you apply extra effort, and you achieve the workout goals much sooner.
Some of us have tight schedules and don’t have much time to join a gym. You realize that you need to work out, but the options are limited. The elliptical machine is convenient, and you can use it any time of the day in the comfort of your home. You can spare a handful of minutes from your busy schedule to sweat it out and burn some calories. An elliptical trainer allows you to manage your time effectively.
10. Total Body Workout
Most people think that the elliptical machine only works out the lower part of the body, but nothing could be more untrue. The device also engages the upper part, and you get a full-body workout to make you healthier and better. You have to push the hand levers in synchronization with the foot pedals, and that is what works out the upper body.
There are some machines with up to 16 or even 21 workout programs. Some of them strengthen the muscles while others target the bones. In some of the devices, you have the option of sitting or standing when working out particular muscle groups.
11. Easy to Use
There’s no learning curve in using an elliptical machine. It is user-friendly, and there are no complicated controls that will give you a headache trying to figure out. The setup process is easy, and you can do it in a few minutes. You start working out a few minutes after purchasing the equipment to start burning calories as soon as possible.
However, you may need to talk to a trainer first if you are using the machine for the first time. Of course, the elliptical trainer is easy to use, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for advice or recommendations from a professional trainer so that you can do it in the right way.
Specific features such as a music system, and Bluetooth speakers make the elliptical trainer easier, and fun to use. You can listen to your favorite music as you put in a variety of workouts to lose weight or build strength.
12. Customizable
If you do a particular activity repeatedly, your body becomes accustomed to it, and you don’t lose as many calories. The elliptical trainer is adjustable, and you can vary the speed, as well as the resistance for more challenge. Such adjustability is vital for engaging the muscles and maintaining the burning of calories.
If you are a multitasker, the elliptical trainer is the ideal machine. All you need to do is set your preferences, and you can do something else, such as watching your favorite program on the television or read a novel. Some of us don’t want to waste any time, and particular elliptical trainers have specific workout programs that make multitasking easier.
13. It Does Not Take Too Much Space
The current townhouses and hostels have limited space, and most people do not want to work out a machine that will take up a lot of space. The treadmill may not be the ideal machine when it comes to limited spaces. In contrast, the cross trainer only requires a small space in your living room or any other room in the house.
Stamina In-Motion Elliptical Trainer, for example, only takes a small space. It can fit it in a corner or move it to a more suitable size such as beside your bed.
The elliptical trainer is also easy to move from one place to the other. in comparison, the treadmill may be a little heavy, and more significant to move than the elliptical machine. The same case applies to the stationary bike. However, there are particular varieties of indoor stationary bikes and treadmill that is much easier to transport and store.