Article 170. What Are The Health Benefits Of An Elliptical Machine?

Health Benfits of Elipticals:

There are plenty of benefits that you can enjoy from working out on an elliptical machine. However, the health benefits seem to be on top of the list. Here are the various ways wherein this machine can benefit your health.

Low Impact Workout

The most obvious benefit offered by elliptical trainers is its ability to provide a low impact workout. Thus, you can experience the same health benefits offered by jogging but without the same amount of stress or work on your joints. A totally impact-free workout is beneficial for people of all ages and fitness levels so you can simply focus on obtaining the benefits. In fact, fitness experts recommend this type of workout equipment for individuals suffering from physical ailments.

Cardio Benefits

At a health standpoint, an elliptical machine is your secret to an efficient workout. It is very effective for building your upper body muscles, along with other major muscle groups in the body. You can therefore experience more cardio benefits to using this machine than you would if you spend more time in a treadmill.

Build Bone Density

Elliptical trainers are also recommended if you want to build bone density. Unlike weight machines, it relies on your own weight in order to workout the key muscles of the body. As a result, you are also developing higher bone density. This is a beneficial impact offered by elliptical machines, especially for older individuals, and is something that no other workout equipment can offer.

Targets Upper and Lower Body

If you are trying to lose weight and be on your way to live healthier, an elliptical machine is also a great machine to use! This machine offers a wide range of movement that involves both the upper and lower body muscles. This helps to facilitate in a faster calorie burning process as opposed to using an exercise bike or running on the treadmill. And the best part about using this machine is that you need not worry about the weather because you can do the workout right at your own home.

Advanced Technological Features

Most modern elliptical trainer models are equipped with adjustable settings and other advanced technological features that allow you to maximize its health benefits. Hence, you can experience major impact on your health without causing risk to your health. There are various settings that you can adjust, such as the speed, resistance, or the ramp. This will enable you to determine the right settings that would fit your fitness level and goals to avoid stress on your body.

Decrease Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain causes Americans to miss approximately 100 million workdays each year, according to the Wellness Council of America. This costs employers an estimated $20 billion annually. Excess weight and weak back muscles lead to back pain, according to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The NINDS recommends exercise as the most effective treatment for back pain. Using an elliptical for regular aerobic workouts can help you lose weight and gently work back muscles.

Improve Sports Performance

Many sports such as basketball, football, tennis, volleyball and soccer rely on your body's anaerobic energy system. These sports are played at very high levels of intensity in short bursts of activity, usually in the form of points or plays that last less than 30 seconds. In order to recover from fast breaks, serve-and-volley points and similar bouts of physical activity, you need to use sprint, or interval, training. An elliptical allows you to create sprints so you can work at a high intensity for 30 to 90 seconds, then recover. Changing resistance levels and stride lengths help you do this.

Easy Exercise Entry

If you are just beginning an exercise or weight-loss program or are obese enough that workouts such as jogging or aerobics aren't possible, an elliptical allows you to create low-impact, moderately intense exercise routines. The AHA recommends this type of exercise five times per week for 30 minutes as one way to improve and maintain heart health. You can exercise on an elliptical at a pace that simulates a brisk walk, while you keep both feet on the machine the entire time.