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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 "crosstrainer").
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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