Why Elliptical Trainers are Growing in Popularity!

 

Why Elliptical Trainers are Growing in Popularity!

Word Count:
559

Summary:
Elliptical trainers offer the benefit of a low impact exercise, combined with an upper and lower body workout.  The low impact exercise reduces stress and strain to your joints.  The dual action workout burns more calories in less time.

Keywords:
elliptical, trainer, machine, crosstrainer, fitness, health, exercise, equipment, weight, loss, diet, exercising, eliptical, weight loss,

Article Body:
If you work out at a health club you probably noticed that in the last few years there are fewer treadmills, because they are being replaced by elliptical trainers.  And although treadmills still outsell ellipticals in total numbers, elliptical sales are growing at a faster rate. 

What is driving the popularity of elliptical trainers?  There are two factors that make elliptical trainers so appealing: 

Low Impact Workout

Upper and Lower Body Workout

Benefits of a Low Impact Workout

Most types of exercise require some type of impact and/or reverse action.   For example, when you walk each step is impacting force on your ankles, knees and lower back.  That impact is minor in comparison to running, which can be as much as 2.5x your body weight.  Over the years that constant pounding can result in long-term injuries and strains.

Elliptical trainers reduce the hazards of impact through an elliptical motion.It feels like you are naturally walking or running without any real impact or reverse action, and yet it is a weight bearing exercise that contributes to building muscle and bone density.

If you look at the side of an elliptical trainer you'll notice the shape of the motion is like a flat circular pattern.  Budget ellipticals tend to be more circular and bouncy, while quality machines have a flatter circular motion and more of an even stride. Regardless, the elliptical motion significantly reduces the impact to your joints, and that is why elliptical trainers are appealing to older individuals and people with injuries. It is becoming the exercise machine of choice for the "baby boomers." 

Benefits of an Upper and Lower Body Workout

The concept of exercising the  upper and lower body simultaneously is revolutionary. An elliptical workout utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps and biceps. There is no other machine that offers this benefit. You are not only exercising more muscle group, you are also optimizing your energy expenditure.  That means it is taking less time to achieve more results, like burning calories and increasing your cardio capacity. A number of elliptical trainers allow you to reverse the motion, thereby emphasizing resistance to even more parts of your muscles. 

By exercising more of your muscle mass you improve fat mobilization, which results in burning more calories and building muscle endurance more efficiently. Certain experts have suggested that this dual action process reduces the perceived rate of exertion. In other words, you are exercising harder without a noticeable difference from a less strenuous workout.

The benefit of an upper and lower body workout, combined with low impact exercising, are the reasons why elliptical trainers are so popular.  And there is one other feature that should be noted.  In comparison to treadmills, elliptical trainers require considerably less maintenance.  That is due to the fact there are fewer moving parts, and less wear from impact.

If you haven't tried an elliptical trainer, get to your local health club or a fitness equipment store and take one for an elliptical spin. Avoid the budget models and test the machines that are at least $1,000+.  They have a more natural elliptical motion and are more stable and durable. 

You'll find that an elliptical trainer can have a major impact on your health and fitness.

 

Why Home Exercise Equipment is Better Than a Gym Membership

 

Why Home Exercise Equipment is Better Than a Gym Membership

Word Count:
312

Summary:
Everyone buys gym memberships with the best of intentions. You plan to go several times a week. You plan to take advantage of classes or sessions with personal trainers. You have every intention of formulating a plan, and sticking to it. The problem is: the gym is too easy to avoid. And the reasons for avoiding it are just too good.

Keywords:
treadmills exercise equipment ellipticals recumbent bikes bicycles steppers abdominals

Article Body:
Everyone buys gym memberships with the best of intentions. You plan to go several times a week. You plan to take advantage of classes or sessions with personal trainers. You have every intention of formulating a plan, and sticking to it. The problem is: the gym is too easy to avoid. And the reasons for avoiding it are just too good.

It's not just laziness. Commute times are getting longer and longer: the last thing you want to do before or after work is spend some more time driving to a gym and fighting for a parking space. That's assuming you even have the option: if you have kids to pick up or drop off, or chores to do at home, you may simply not have the time you feel you need to get a good workout at the gym.

This is where the benefits of home exercise equipment really show. You can snatch a few minutes here and there on the treadmill while dinner's cooking. You can watch your kids while you work out. You can watch your own DVD's in the comfort of air conditioning set to your preference while you use a stationary bike, elliptical or treadmill. You can listen to music you like, set up some aromatherapy that you find inspiring, or do some reading while you exercise. And when you're done, you can take a shower in the comfort of your own bathroom, with all your favorite shampoos, soaps and towels right there waiting for you.
Most importantly, how many times can you look at a piece of exercise equipment before you run out of excuses? If you're thinking, "You have no idea how many", you might be surprised. Every time you see it, you're reminded of the benefits it offers you, and you start thinking of ways to work it into your schedule almost without trying.