Guide To Buying An Elliptical Trainer

An elliptical trainer has lots of benefits:

• It improves your cardiovascular capacity and increases stamina.
• It is kinder to your joints than other cardio equipment. So, people with sensitive joints and injuries prefer an elliptical trainer.
• It burns a lot of calories as well as body fat.
• It’s great for both upper and lower body workout.

Usually, an elliptical trainer burns 2.16 calories per pound of body weight during a 30-minute workout. A person weighing 150 lbs will burn 324 calories. This is not written in blood, however. All body types and compositions are different.

The number of calories burnt depends on factors like body weight, body composition, gender, workout intensity, etc. You can increase the number of calories burnt by pushing yourself more than usual, trying variations of programs, using workout boosters, and regulating your heart rate.

Unlike an elliptical trainer that moves your legs in an ellipse, the arc trainer moves your legs in, you guessed it, an arc. The arc trainer has stationary side rails and handlebars for a better grip. The arc trainer moves your body in a more vertical motion than a horizontal one. The less natural path that your lower body needs to take in an elliptical trainer may put extra stress on your knee joints.

For normal users, the difference may not be as pronounced, and they can go for any of these machines. However, pricing is a major factor. Whereas elliptical trainers, even the good ones for home gyms, will cost $1200-$1500, an arc trainer will set you back anywhere between $3000-$8000.

Yes, using an elliptical trainer regularly will help you lose weight. A typical workout session on an elliptical trainer can help you lose between 300-400 calories. Such a cardio exercise will help you get rid of the stubborn belly fat.

However, you must follow a strict dietary regimen and avoid junk food. Also, you should take care of the duration and intensity of your workouts.

Although the elliptical trainer provides a low-impact workout that doesn’t put stress on your joints, you should avoid it if you suffer from acute back and knee pain. If you’re recovering from a back injury, do not use it. It’s also not a good option if you suffer from osteoporosis. It is important to consult your physician before using the elliptical trainer, irrespective of the type of pain.

If you don’t have a medical condition, but just have a weak back or knees, a stairmaster will help you build knee and core strength. It might be a better alternative to the elliptical for your cardio.

If budget is not a constraint, go for a rear-drive elliptical trainer. The flywheel in a rear-drive elliptical trainer is in the back of the machine. This makes their motion smoother than the front-drive elliptical trainers, which feel rougher. The compact design of a front-drive elliptical trainer makes it less comfortable for people with a longer stride.

Stride length is an important but often overlooked factor of getting an elliptical trainer. If the stride length is too short, it will feel uncomfortable and choppy. If the stride length is too long, you may over-stretch or even pull a muscle.

Get an elliptical trainer with a stride length of at least 18 inches.

• If you are under 5’3’’, you can even go for a stride length of as low as 16 inches.
• Average-sized users measuring between 5’4’’ and 6’ should go for a stride length of 19 to 20 inches.
• People above 6’ height should look for a stride length of 20 inches and above.

Choosing one over the other depends on the type of workout you intend to use them for and your fitness goals.

• An elliptical trainer targets both your lower and upper body whereas the stationary bike focuses on your lower body like quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
• During HIIT workouts, a stationary bike can burn more calories, if you program it accordingly. But overall, the difference is not too significant. You can burn more calories on an elliptical trainer by changing the workout program.

An elliptical is a low-impact machine that puts less stress on your joints. Working out on an elliptical helps build both your upper and lower body.

A treadmill offers a wider variety of workouts than an elliptical trainer – from low intensity walking to a high-intensity hill climb. A treadmill is an excellent piece of equipment to build leg strength.

Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference – If you look for an overall, low-impact total body workout, you can get an elliptical. If you’re an avid runner who wishes to run in peace and some calories in the process, the treadmill is for you.