Do Elliptical Machines Work?

!±8± Do Elliptical Machines Work?

Considering an elliptical trainer? One of the number one questions people ask me is " Do Elliptical Machines work? " Well first of all, if they were just some funky fly-by-night gizmo like those cheap gadgets you see on TV infomercials, they wouldn't still be around.

Ellipticals first surfaced on the fitness equipment scene back in 1995 and have been going strong ever since. And actually they are just behind treadmills in terms popularity these days.

So if they didn't work, they wouldn't last.

However the answer to the question - Do elliptical machines work - really depends on the person asking.

The real question is - what do you want it to do for you? Ellipticals are great in terms of giving you low-impact workouts that can help you lose weight and tone up your entire body.

Another advantage to elliptical machines is that, because of the upper body arm bars, they give you a more full body workout. This results in what experts call a 'Lower Perceived Rate of Exertion' which means you actually worked harder than you feel like you worked - and burned more calories.

So working out on an elliptical can actually maximize your workout time and minimize your fatigue.

Elliptical machines can also help you crosstrain and avoid an exercise plateau. This is because several ellipticals now come with adjustable stride lengths and incline or ramp. This means you vary the stride or angle of the elliptical motion, work different sets of muscles and avoid overtraining.

So, for most people elliptical machines work. They help them get fit, lose weight and tone up. However there are cases where elliptical trainers do NOT work.

Again, it goes back to the question - what do you want your elliptical to do for you? If you're looking to build muscle, an elliptical is not the best machine for you (get a weight stack home gym, free weights or even a Bowflex Crossbow Gym).

Also, there are some ellipticals that won't give you the best results - and will probably waste your workout time. These are usually the cheap department store models with small elliptical strides (14-15") and improper design.

For example, many budget models are designed so you're leaning forward on the handrails. This results in a lot less calories burned and won't give you an effective workout. The cheaper models also break more easily (usually just after the 90 day warranty runs out) which again, means you can't use them and they don't work.

The higher end, better-rated elliptical brands usually give you more upright design, better construction quality and proper ratios between your legs and arms for maximum calorie burning.

So in answer to the question ' Do elliptical machines work ', it really depends on you. What do you want it to do for you and what kind of machine are you planning to buy?

For most people they are very happy with the kind of results an elliptical gives them. Just remember to research before you buy, find a high quality brand with a decent stride length (18" or more) and solid design.