Elliptical exercisers are a sort of combination workout machine, resembling part stair climber and part cross-country ski machine. The term ‘elliptical’ comes from the flattened circular motion in which your feet move – a squashed circle. Many machines also have the option of arm levers, which give it that cross-country ski look, as well as rounding out your exercising.
Elliptical exercisers are generally designed for people who are moderately fit and will stay moderately fit. Beginners may find these kinds of machines difficult at first, though they can get the hang of it eventually, but if a person is very fit, elliptical machines might not provide a stiff enough workout for him or her.
Elliptical exercisers have a plethora of benefits that have made these types of machines more popular in recent years. Here are just a few of the advantages elliptical exercisers have over other workout equipment and machines:
- The pedaling is easier on the joints, especially the knees, making elliptical exercisers better than treadmills, which put more stress on the knees when running.
- The exercise of elliptical machines is weight-bearing (meaning you can adjust the level of resistance in accordance with your own weight and endurance), which helps protect against osteoporosis. Swimming and bicycling cannot.
- As stated above, some models are equipped with moveable arms for an upper body workout as well, shifting elliptical exercisers above most treadmills and exercise bikes again.
- Elliptical exercisers are relatively easy compared to cross-country ski machines, which require a certain degree of skill in order to get the hang of it.
- And most importantly to people trying to get the most out of their workouts: elliptical exercisers burn calories just as effectively as treadmills.
When searching for elliptical exercisers to purchase, there are few key ideas you should keep in mind:
- Be aware that most designs will not match the quality of a health club version, unless you want to pay the health club price for one.
- Often home machines suffer from clunking noises, scraping surfaces, and occasional broken parts, so it is best to look for a warranty of more than one year.
- Look for elliptical exercisers that have easy-to-read monitors and easy-to-understand controls, as well as push buttons that will adjust the resistance electrically.
- Watch out for designs that have narrow pedals and/or that have moving levers that will whack your arms if you are holding onto the fixed handles.
- When looking in a store, be sure to test out the various elliptical patterns of each machine, as they vary between company and model.
- You can generally find elliptical exercisers under $1000 in stores like Sears and The Sports Authority and models around the $2000 mark in specialty stores and online. Typically the more expensive the model, the more solid it feels and more features it has.
- Choose an elliptical exerciser that fits comfortably with you and that you can understand.
By Monica Drusch