Sherrow.com
A Fitness Resource by Michael Sherrow |
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Fitness Ellipticals...
Hello, Michael here.
Everyone knows that an all over body workout is a great way to stay
toned and maintain good fitness levels.
That's why i've created this special page within
the site to advise on fitness ellipticals, what to
look for, what you can expect to pay, and how to get
the most out of your Elliptical Trainer.
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Fitness ellipticals provide such a
good all over body workout because they
combine the lower body workout of a stepping
machine with the upper body workout of a ski
machine, all in an easy to use single
exercise device that allows you to develop
great muscle tone, without the problems
associated with high impact exercises. |
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There
are a wide variety of fitness ellipticals available on
the market. with prices ranging from as low as $250, all
the way up to $2000 and above. Like most things though,
you often do get what you pay for.
At the
cheaper end of the scale, the type of fitness
ellipticals you get for around $250 tend to be made of
lighter weight components, and often rely solely on your
own body weight to provide the resistance. You may also
find that some of the models in the lower price brackets
may require partial or full assembly prior to use. If
you are handy with a spanner, that may be ok, otherwise
you may want to consider a fully assembled model.
As you
step up the price range, a number of additional features
become available. These range from full onboard
computers for monitoring things like rpm and heart rate,
up to fully computer controlled fitness programs. These
type of fitness ellipticals are great for providing a
varied workout that can be tailored to your current
levels of fitness, as well as being able to increase
your workload as your fitness levels increase.
Typically, fitness ellipticals with these sorts of
features will use some sort of electronic or magnetic
resistance mechanism to allow you to set your desired
level of difficulty.
The
main things to look for when purchasing fitness
ellipticals is that you get a machine that is robust
enough to last for many years of use, as well as being
versatile enough to be able to be used by people of
varying fitness levels and sizes. Satisfy those criteria
and you'll have many years of happy use.
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Although treadmills are still currently more
popular than fitness ellipticals, there are
many distinct advantages to using an
elliptical training machine as part of your
aerobic workout regime, as opposed to using
a traditional treadmill. |
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First and foremost is the ability of fitness
ellipticals to provide the user with both an upper
and lower body workout at the same time. This
provides the benefits of being able to achieve an
increased amount of exercise within a given time, as
well as allowing you to achieve that result using a
very natural and ergonomically friendly range of
motion.
Some
of the key areas of the body that can typically be
strained by using a traditional treadmill include
the knees, hips and back. These strains can come
about due to the higher impact nature of the
exercise, as well as the slightly unnatural stride
that sometimes results from running on the
treadmill's platform. Fitness ellipticals help
eliminate these potential problems by providing a
low impact exercise, using your full natural range
of movement.
Another benefit that fitness ellipticals can offer
is the ability to be used in reverse. By pedalling
the elliptical trainer backwards, the user gets the
added benefit of being able to use different
muscles, and muscle groups than if using the machine
in the normal forward motion. This helps to ensure
good muscle balance, which is important for good
posture, and a healthy body
To
get the full benefits from your elliptical trainer,
remember to maintain good posture during the
workout, keeping your shoulders back, your head up,
and keep your abdominal muscles tightened. Follow
these tips, and you'll get the most out of workout.
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According to Wikipedia, the elliptical
trainer was the brainchild of a man called
Larry d. Miller. He invented the fitness
elliptical for a company called Precor, and
had it patented in 2004. The idea for the
machine came from watching his daughter
running alongside a car. As she was running,
he studied her range of motion and went
about designing a machine that could
re-create that natural action. |
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Much
like running, fitness ellipticals are primarily leg
driven, with most designs being a combination of sliding
leg ramps and connected handles. The handles are linked
to the foot sliders to create a physical burden on the
arms and upper torso, in a similar way to what a runner
would experience by swinging their arms as they run.
this provides a secondary power source during the
exercise, allowing the body to do more work, thus
increasing the exertion.
There are
varying claims by manufacturers that due to the
additional workload created by the dual action exercise
of an fitness ellipticals, that this type of exercise
will burn more calories than using a traditional
treadmill style machine. However independent studies do
not appear to support this theory. A study by Thomas Altena from the University of Missouri-Columbia
determined that the "physiological responses associated
with elliptical exercise were nearly identical to
treadmill exercise".
However
this doesn't change the fact that training on an
elliptical trainer produces a better overall workout,
with a much lower impact on the body. |
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Ok, now it's time to have a look at the top
10 reasons why buying an elliptical trainer
for your home is a great way to start
getting yourself and your family fitter and
healthier.
The Top 10 reasons to but fitness
ellipticals are: |
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1.
Improved fitness & weight loss
2.
Fitness ellipticals can help prevent over training
3. You
can increase resistance as your fitness improves
4. You
can use an elliptical trainer at any time
5. Can
be used while watching tv or listening to your favorite
music
6. Can
be used by the whole family
7.
Saves money on gym fees, over many years
8.
Provides both and upper and lower body workout.
9. You
can exercise in the privacy of your own home
10.
Fitness ellipticals are low impact
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