Elliptical Fitness Machine
How to Choose an Elliptical Fitness Machine
With the advantages of a treadmill and a stair climber combined, an elliptical fitness machine offers a very effective, yet comfortable, non-impact cardiovascular workout. The fluid, non-jarring elliptical motion of this machine imitates the natural path of the ankle, knee, and hip joints as we walk, run or jog; thus, an ideal choice for aging individuals and anyone with back, knee, hips, and joint problems. Its dual action also provides a full upper and lower body workout, as it exercises the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps, and biceps.
In choosing an elliptical fitness machine, you have to be mindful of its quality and features. The body should be made of durable, high-quality material that will withstand a lifetime use. Also, it should be sturdy enough to accommodate your weight as well as the weight of other potential users. Over sized, slip resistant pedals would also be an advantage as they provide stability and a number of different foot positions.
For increased intensity and higher calorie burn, your elliptical fitness machine should provide a wide range of resistance levels. Well-designed upper-body workouts let you burn more calories and tone your upper body muscles, providing a full-body workout and increased cardio benefits. Furthermore, an elliptical machine with an adjustable stride feature would be a great option. The adjustable stride can be repositioned for a better individual fit. A recent study shows that varying the stride length on the elliptical trainer utilizes a larger variety of muscle groups. It also showed that as the stride is lengthened, more calories are burned without any higher rate of perceived exertion by the user.
Electronic features like a built-in sound system and other sophisticated functions can make your workout more enjoyable, but one of the most import things in any workout machine is the heart rate monitoring device. A heart rate monitoring device helps to ensure that you are within your target heart rate for more effective, safer workouts.
Finally, aside from a reasonable price, a great elliptical fitness machine is covered with a good warranty and product support. This ensures that you are investing in the right machine.
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