Elliptical Workout Basics Provide Overall Better Exercise

Working out on a elliptical machine is more than getting on the foot pedals and starting to walk. There are specific uses for ellipticals that are designed to produce specific results from burning calories for weight loss to heart rate increases for cardio workouts. In order to obtain the complete benefits it is wise to understand elliptical workout basics before spending a lot of time and energy and not seeing any results.

Although treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment used in homes today, having surged ahead of the exercise bike for indoor exercising, elliptical workout basics can provide many of the same benefits without the impact on the lower body joints and back. Treadmills and ellipticals are designed to burn calories and improve heart strength and while treadmills tend to burn more calories, using elliptical workout basics they can still be shed while working muscles in the lower body and the hands.

Treadmills also offer higher incline rates that are usually only available on some of the more expensive ellipticals, but the adjustable resistance of elliptical equipment can make it seem like the user is trying to climb a steep hill. Simply following elliptical workout basics can help the heart and lower weight with less impact on the lower joints than a typical treadmill.

Beginning Programs Should Start Slow

When a person is considering beginning an exercise program, the first step should be consulting with their doctor to make sure they are healthy enough and to learn if there are any limitations. Beginning with the elliptical workout basics there should be no issues, but it pays to be safe when starting an activity that has not been done in the past. Once they climb onto the machine, they should also start out slowly and work their way up to more intense workouts.

On average, elliptical workout basics call for 30 minute workouts with many of the elliptical training guides claiming they can burn up to 800 calories an hour for men and slightly lower for women. When the program is first beginning the number of calories burned will probably be less and increase as the intensity level of the elliptical workout basics program increases.

Once the person's leg muscles become stronger they should be able to increase the resistance of the bike's wheel as well as increase the incline of the machine, if it is so equipped, and by following the elliptical workout basics they will begin to experience improved lower body strength, stamina and a healthier heart.