Elliptical Trainer

Elliptical trainers is a novel device to reduce the stress and strain of your leg muscles with the help of movements which are like that of an ellipse, hence the name. Your feet are always on  the pedals. It is like walking in midair without any strain over any part of the body. It adds to its value because there is no reverse action. The shape of the elliptical movement mimics the natural path of the ankle, knee and hip joints during walking, jogging or running. For example, when you walk or run, every step of yours causes a jolt to your body. It is a well known fact that people usually cause their body an impact of up to 2.5 times their body weight while running. This affects not only the joints in your legs, but also your lower back.

An elliptical trainer is unique in causing a remarkable twin effect on the combined upper and lower body workout. In fact, there is hardly any other fitness equipment available other than the Elliptical Trainer which works simultaneously involving as many muscle groups. That is why it is referred to elliptical as a cross-trainer.

With an elliptical trainer, you get a workout that utilizes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps and biceps. The surprising benefit from exercising of more and more muscles is that you tone up all of your body. In addition to that, you restore your energy very quickly  Your energy expenditure is almost negligible. Moreover, you end up burning more calories and fat in less time. It is also suggested that there is a reduced perceived rate of exertion with an elliptical workout. You are actually exercising harder than you would normally imagine.

Of course, in order to get the full benefit of the dual action workout, it is important that you must distribute the resistance between your upper and lower part of the body. Many people who take exercise on an elliptical trainer put most of the resistance on their lower body and go through the motions with the upper handlebars only.