Good athletes and fitness oriented person use exercises like running and jogging as the primary cardio-vascular exercise. However, the elliptical trainer is a great alternative. In the event of an injury, especially to the legs or knees, running and jogging may not be possible. Lack of training will cause a rapid deterioration in fitness. This is a horrid thought to a fit person. Knowing how to use an elliptical trainer allows a fit person to stay fit even of the injury does not allow a full range of motion in the legs or knees.
An elliptical trainer will help burn the most calories for the same amount of exercise from any machine or exercise routine. Learning how to use an elliptical trainer will benefit you training by improving your cardio-vascular capacity, burning more calories, and protecting your body from serious injury.
Leg Movement
Proper leg movement is important with the elliptical trainer. Stride is the key to consistent and effective training. Your stride must be comfortable to achieve the best results. Too long of a stride is uncomfortable and discourages workout. The routine becomes tedious. If the stride is too short, you will not work as hard and therefore, will not get the full benefit of the exercise. Get your stride set to a normal length and you will immediately notice the comfort that produces. A normal comfortable stride approximates the stride you use when walking.
Arm Movement
When learning how to use an elliptical trainer, arm movement is the second skill to learn. The elliptical will work both the lower and upper body, so arm movement and placement is important to get the full benefit of a workout. You can move your hands in sync with your feet by connecting the handles with the foot pedals. This gives you a simultaneous workout of the upper and lower body. You can also hold the handle bars without moving. This provides stability until you are confident of the machine. Move your arms as you would if you were running to get the maximum effect of the full body routine. This burns more calories and exercises all major muscle groups to keep them in balance.
Machine Adjustments
Learning how to use an elliptical trainer means learning how to adjust the equipment. Vary the speed and the tension of the equipment regularly during the program. You can also build in intervals by increasing the incline of the trainer. Most machines have multiple settings that can be modified during the routine.
Compete Against Yourself
Proper use of an elliptical trainer requires that you challenge yourself. How to use an elliptical trainer is as simple as making proper adjustments to the machine that makes you upper and lower body work in unison as you build the intensity of the routine incrementally.
