What exercise machine looks like a bicycle, and at the same time, acts like a stationary bicycle and stationary stair climber?
An elliptical trainer! You can call it a cross trainer and X-trainer, too.
When Precor introduced it to the market in the 1990s, many people gave it the Thumbs Up. To the majority, an elliptical trainer is the perfect exercise equipment.
After all, it grants a full body workout. It combines gluteal + upper body + lower body + core workout while it reduces the risk of impact injuries!
Here are all the powerful elliptical trainer benefits.
1 - Full Body Workout
Firstly, let's elaborate on this point.
An elliptical trainer offers a full body workout because the leg striders are attached to the handlebars, which allow them to work in sync against the machine's resistance flywheel.
An hour (or so) on an elliptical trainer is like spending an hour in the gym. An elliptical trainer workout lets you exercise the following:
I. Gluteal muscles (the machine should be in an inclined position)
Includes:- Gluteus medius, maximus, and minimus
- Abduction
- Extension
- External/internal rotation (of hip joint)
II. Upper body
Includes:- Arm muscles (biceps, triceps, forearms)
- Pectorals
- Shoulders (rotator cuffs, deltoids)
- Upper back (rhomboids, trapezius)
- Improves power, strength, and endurance of upper body parts
III. Lower body
Includes:- Quadriceps
- Hamstrings
- Calves
- Improves power, strength, and endurance of lower body parts
IV. Core
Includes:- Transversus abdominis
- Internal and external obliques
- Pelvic floor muscles
- Multifidus
- Lumbar muscles
- The diaphragm
- Cervical muscles
- Deep rotators
- Provides internal pressure
- Stabilizes the thorax and pelvis
- Aids in pregnancy
- Prevents incontinence
2 - Incredibly Low Impact
Another advantage of an elliptical trainer is the fact that it offers a low impact approach to working out.
A low impact exercise is a form of working out involving relatively minimal stress placed upon your knees, ankles, and hips (their joints).
While working out regularly is good, health and fitness experts don't recommend going overboard by using your muscles and joints to the point of exhaustion.
Usually, low impact exercises are associated with the elderly -- just the elderly.
But nope. Outdated info alert.
Even if you're young and energetic, this form of workout can be the better alternative for you.
This gives you an opportunity to do some cardio without putting too much pressure on your body.
Apart from the elderly, here's a list of people who could benefit from low impact exercises.
- Injured people
- Arthritic people
- Pregnant women
- People who are recovering from a mild illness
3 - Requires Small Space
Then, there's this.
You don't need a big home to own an elliptical trainer. Chances are, your current place is spacious enough to accommodate the machine.
Usually, the size of a vacant space needed for an elliptical trainer is similar to the space that 2 standard closets could occupy.
So if you could make room for a couple of standard-sized closets, you could definitely make room for an elliptical.
4 - Low Maintenance
Next up is the fact that an elliptical trainer requires little maintenance. It can be in excellent condition over time without asking you to pull a muscle regularly.
Once a month of cleaning will suffice. And it's not even hard cleaning.
No need to disassemble the machine. No need to put in oil. Nada.
Just get a piece of (damp) wipe cloth and then polish the surface. Voila!
5 - User-friendly
Lastly, an elliptical trainer is ideal for beginners. You may just go ahead and buy it, and then be up and exercising in no time.
No need to look for a manual, a paper with complex instructions, YouTube video guides, nada. Anyone with basic common sense can use it.
Here's what you'll do:
- First, sit on it.
- Then, firmly position each foot on each pedal.
- Lastly, elevate yourself and then (or) cycle away.
If you need help, here's a list of 13 elliptical trainer workouts to keep you in shape.
Conclusion
The fact that using an elliptical trainer -- and exercising regularly -- comes with health advantages is a rock-solid fact.
This is true according to the World Health Organization. It says that the people who exercise have a much longer lifespan than people who live sedentary lives.
So if you want to live a long -- and enjoyable -- life, make sure to get a fix of exercise regularly.
Do you use an elliptical trainer, too? Tell us how you get your fix of exercise in the comments section below.
Originally from my blog at https://mildtrips.com