Elliptical Resistance

If you are just starting out with using an elliptical machine, you may find that starting out with 15 minutes can be tiring even on the lowest level.  After you are able to work up to at least thirty minutes, try one of these workouts for an balance between elliptical resistance and cardiovascular:

Thirty Minute Workout

Minutes      Level

Forty-Five Minute Workout – Four Days a week

• Warm-up Period – 5 minutes
• Low Exertion – 5 minutes
• Easy Does It – 5 minutes
• Moderate (get ready to “push it”) – 5 minutes
• Hard Exercise (reach your target heart rate) – 5 minutes
• Moderate – 5 minutes
• Easy – 5 minutes
• Low – 5 minutes
• Cool-down – 5 minutes

  There are benefits to any exercise program – weight loss, improved heart health, building endurance, and so forth.  Does elliptical resistance offer improved health benefits over regular exercise?  Yes and no.

You can still get the same benefits of using an elliptical machine by doing various other forms of exercising.  The problem is it might take you a considerable more time!

Consider these positive aspects of elliptical resistance:

• An elliptical trainer is a low-impact workout.  Great for those with bad knees or other leg problems.  The elliptical trainer will lessen the strain and stress on your legs because it mimics a natural path of your leg.  Jogging or running cause an impact to your legs (and your lower back) with each step that you take.

• Elliptical machines are weight-bearing machines.  This is important to reduce the onset of osteoporosis.

• The elliptical machine is called a trainer because you get both an upper body AND lower body work out.  Using the handles benfits your upper body (arms, chest and back) and the foot pedals benefit your legs and back side.

• You can burn more calories in less time because you are optimizing your workout.  You don’t need to work your legs, then your arms, etc.

• Elliptical trainers take up a small amount of space.  If you are investing in a home machine, elliptical machines are meant to fit in a small amount of space.  Some even fold down for easy storage.