5 Top Reasons the Elliptical Machine Belongs in Your Home Gym

In the modern busy society, most American people are exchanging their gym membership with home exercise equipment- and the elliptical machine is at the centre of it all. The elliptical machine is already an icon in many personal fitness rooms in the country due to the comfortability, low impact, and the high rate of efficiency of the workout. So what is so special about it that everyone, no matter what their age or fitness level, can use it and benefit greatly?
Be it the busy professional, the aging citizen in need of joint-friendly cardio or even the average person wanting to lose a few pounds without breaking a sweat on the street, the elliptical machine is an all around workout with proven results. Here, in this blog post, we are going to understand the reason why the elliptical machine has been thrust into the limelight and how it can help you change your fitness perspective.
Elliptical Machine The Full-Body Cardio Power Machine
The elliptical doesn t just involve you with your legs-think of it as a synchronized full-body workout that involves the arms, shoulders, gluteus, core, and legs all together. The elliptical as opposed to the treadmill is a dual-action motion burn-up which burns the most calories and enhances body movement coordination since the up and down motion is engaged.
A study published in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research had similar findings that subjects on an elliptical machine achieved similar results on cardiovascular challenges as subjects on treadmill and the stair steppers with far less perceived exertion. This implies you will reach your goals in fitness more conveniently and faster.
Additionally, with the elliptical the resistance and the incline can be changed, meaning that users can simply adjust between using their upper body muscles and lower body muscles. This is what makes the elliptical machine a popular exercise machine with both fitness trainers and physical therapists.
Low-Impact Design = High-impact Results
Low-impact is one of the best selling points of the elliptical machine. Whether you are healing after an injury or coping with chronic joint pain or just prefer a lower impact exercise, the gliding movement of the elliptical spares knees, hips and ankles the violent pounding of a run or a HIIT regime.
According to Dr. Amanda Yellin (a sports medicine specialist at the University of Washington), it is important that:
The elliptical machine provides a low impact option, which is rather safe on joints, although it is also associated with cardiovascular and muscular gains. It is a perfect product when it comes to injury prevention and recovery.”
The elliptical can be used in both age groups and levels because unlike running exercises that expose the body to repetitive stress on its joints, movement on the elliptical provides a smooth movement that is natural and just like walking.
Lose Calories and Gain Endurance at the same time
The elliptical machine surprisingly works well when it comes to weight loss. Depending on data provided by Harvard Medical School, a 155-pound individual will burn as many as 270 calories within 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as an elliptical machine. And because the machine enables you to use both arms and legs, the machine helps achieve an increased heart rate, and calories burnt compared to other cardiovascular machines.
Besides, regular ellipse machines strengthen cardiovascular endurance. The gradual build-up in resistance and time allows users to train their hearts and lungs to work under pressure, this makes it ideal training equipment when preparing oneself to take part in an event or even just wanting to increase circulatory stamina.
Differentiation by levels of fitness
The elliptical machine provides a workout to people of all types starting with the experienced athlete to the complete novice. The majority of the models enable the users to change the speed, resistance, inclination and even interval length, which makes the process of staying fit highly individual.
Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions such as arthritis or hypertension; as well as weight loss/management should turn to the elliptical as a tool of slowly easing back into exercise. Most of the machines are increasingly supplied with shortcuts of workout programs that simulate hill climbs, interval training or fat burning sessions which makes one to adhere to exercise routines more quickly without paying a personal trainer.
Moreover, some of the elliptical machines have heart rate monitors, and Bluetooth, which permits individuals to monitor their process and be motivated. Some even connect with fitness apps or have virtual training grounds- this is ideal when you need to be consistent.
Comfort of your Home, Convenience, and Safety
In our convenience oriented era, the elliptical machine easily lends itself to a home based fitness program. It offers whole-body exercise; however, it does not consume a lot of space as compared to rowing machines or stationary bikes. Small and foldable models also exist, which makes it perfect in apartments or home that has less space.
The elliptical is not only the device no longer demanding one to go to a gym, it also provides an opportunity to train at any time of the day in any weather. There is no need to wait in line, there are no people clogging up the area, and you do not have to worry of safety threats of running outside.
Families that either have children or members who are elderly find the safety record of the elliptical machine a massive plus. None of the jerks, none of the stops, none of the high impact motion-it is designed to move safely and steadily.
Other Health Advantages to Elliptical Machine
Other than being fit, the elliptical machine helps in enhancing health in many aspects. The frequent use can:
- Build stronger bones with the help of weight-bearing activity (without overloading the joints).
- Core muscles will ensure improved balance and posture.
- Increased energy and lifts our moods because of increased endorphins during aerobic exercise.
- Reduce resting heart rate and blood pressure by regular cardio training.
- Promote glucose control and metabolic wellness and assist in avoiding and controlling diabetes.
According to research findings published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, elliptical training is associated with a pronounced change in VO2 max (a measurement of aerobic exercise capability), which translates to increased life expectancy and lowered chances of contracting life threatening illnesses.
Selecting an Elliptical Machine
When you are willing to introduce this fitness powerhouse to your life, it would be important to select the right model. Take this into account:
- Stride Length: Should seek adjustable strides to be able to customize.
- Set of Resistance Levels: The more levels, the greater amount of variety in the workouts and the further that one can go in the workout progression.
- Flywheel Weight: Increased flywheel weight tends to give a smoother motions.
- Foot Pedals: The Pedals are of extra size, cushioned and keep the feet relaxed and minimize fatigue.
- Technology: Heart rate sensors, LCD screens, integration with apps, and programs are available.
Elliptical trainers such as the NordicTrack, ProForm, and Sole Fitness are produced under brands that are reliable, innovative brands, and easy to use.
Conclusion: The Elliptical Machine as Your New Fitness Buy: Why?
The versatility of the elliptical machine as a tool in modern fitness is unsurpassed by any other kind of equipment. Its safety, along with its efficacy, outstrips that of any other tool on the market today. New to wellness or need a healthier, joint-friendly form of exercise? Or an experienced exerciser in search of an effective exercise option? This machine can accomplish the same–fat burn, endurance, heart health and even rehab.
Now it is not to burn calories, but to come up with a sustainable and customized exercise routine. Flexible features, less stress on joints, and a full body challenge in a single movement make the elliptical machine an all in one fitness device that is fast becoming a household norm in American households.
Therefore, in case you desperately need an efficient, not to mention convenient, tool to keep you on your toes, the elliptical machine could turn out to be the last missing piece in your fitness jigsaw puzzle.