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But how
effective are elliptical trainers in burning
those extra calories? For all the talk
of getting fit this is the real reason that
most people want an exercise machine and in
this area of specialization the elliptical
trainers excel. The combination of aerobic
and weight bearing exercise is great for
burning up the calories and for toning up
almost every part of your body and most of
the major muscle groups. And they also have
the added bonus that there is virtually no
impact involved so they really do look to
have all the benefits with very few
drawbacks.
The real answer to the question of how
effective are elliptical trainers is
contained in their clever use of technology.
The central axis moves in an elliptical
motion so that all the major lower muscle
groups get a thorough workout while the
hands and arms get an upper body workout
from the movable handlebars. Many of the
machines can also be programmed to work at
different speeds for varying amounts of time
so that there is an element of variety and
you don't get too bored. Although this may
sound like a small point it is very
important to maintain interest so that you
are encouraged to keep going. Elliptical
trainers are an excellent way to get an all
body workout with the added advantage of
having minimal impact to your joints and
also are an excellent way to stay fit and
healthy.
Author Timothy Gorman is a successful
Webmaster and publisher of
Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He
provides more elliptical trainer ratings,
recommendations and information on how
effective are elliptical trainers that you
can research in your pajamas on his website.
Calorie burn
on the elliptical - Fitness Q & A
After a one-hour workout
on the elliptical trainer, the machine's
readout says I've burned up to 950 calories.
Is this accurate? ... and more of your
questions answered here.
Q: When I work out on the elliptical trainer
at my gym for an hour; the machine tells me
I have burned 850-950 calories. But when I
enter this activity on Internet calorie
counters, I'm told that I'm burning only
500-600 calories per hour. Just how accurate
are the cardio machines?
A: "They can be anywhere from right on the
money to 50 percent off," says John Porcari,
Ph.D., a cardio-machine researcher and
professor in the department of exercise and
sports science at the University of
Wisconsin in La Crosse. Machines that
require you to enter your body weight tend
to be more accurate than those that don't,
Porcari says. But even that feature does not
ensure accuracy.
Treadmills are typically the most
accurate of the cardio machines, says
Porcari: They have been around the
longest, so the equations used to estimate
calorie burn at various speeds and inclines
have been tested on more subjects.
Ellipticals, a more-recent addition to the
machine category, tend to offer less-precise
calorie estimates. "Ellipticals can be off
20-30 percent, and tend to be off on the
high side," Porcari says.
Most women burn 500-650 calories after an
hour of exercise on cardio machines, says
Porcari. To burn 850-950 calories, he adds,
"you'd have to be a fairly large woman going
full-bore."
Q: I just bought a jump-rope for cardio
fitness. What's the best surface to jump on?
A: The best surface is a hardwood floor,
says Chicago trainer CC Cunningham, a
spokeswoman for the American Council on
Exercise. "The hardwood will have a little
bit of give, and the smooth surface will
prevent the rope from catching, which is a
problem on carpet," Cunningham adds. "Try to
avoid concrete, slate or tile because these
surfaces won't absorb any of the impact and
will just send the forces back up through
your legs." Potential problems from jumping
on hard surfaces include foot pain,
shin-splints or stress fractures.
If you want to jump outside, Cunningham
says, try to find a surface designed for
athletic activities, such as a running
track. Grass won't work because the rope
will keep getting caught.
Whatever surface you choose, make sure
you wear cross-training rather than running
shoes. "When you jump rope, all the
impact is going to be on the forefoot, and
running shoes are designed for just the
opposite, with all the shock absorption in
the heel," Cunningham says. Cross trainers
tend to have more cushioning in the
forefoot.
Send your questions to Shape, Fitness Q & A
21100. Erwin St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367:
fax to (818) 704-7620
COPYRIGHT Weider Publications and Gale Group
Have you tried
an elliptical trainer?
 At this point you've seen
them everywhere, from infomercials to your
health club, "elliptical" is the hottest new
addition to the fitness vocabulary. Is
that wobbly workout a gimmick or for real?
Research from the University of Wisconsin
compared an elliptical trainer to a
treadmill, a stair stepper, and a cycle
ergometer. The study found no significant
differences in terms of oxygen consumption,
calorie expenditure and heart rate between
treadmill running and the elliptical
trainer. However, the elliptical trainer
does offer advantages over treadmill running
in terms of impact. While treadmill running
produces the highest impact among the
machines, "ground reaction forces" or impact
with the elliptical trainer was less than
half that of the treadmill.
The low-impact, oval motion of the
elliptical trainer in which the foot
does not leave the pedal, produces a workout
of similar intensity but without the impact
of a treadmill. Individuals who suffer
impact-related orthopedic injuries may
benefit from elliptical trainers. If you're
in the market for one of these machines, be
forewarned that they are expensive, and
according to the American Council on
Exercise, you get what you pay for. |
