Elliptical
trainers can burn calories more efficiently then most other fitness equipment.
This is due to the fact they work the upper and lower body simultaneously. This
results in the heart rate climbing more quickly. Consequently it requires less
time to burn comparable calories on other machines.
With
an elliptical trainer the energy expended is optimized. As the legs are being
worked, the back, shoulders, chest, biceps, and triceps are also working - making
it possible to burn more calories in less time.
But
don't start thinking that an elliptical trainer is one of those miracle machines
that you see on infomercials. To burn calories you must commit to extended workouts
at a reasonably resistance level.
Often
when I am at the gym I notice how people set their ellipticals at the lowest level
of resistance. They casually go through the motions. They put in 10-15 minutes
and now feel justified in overindulging. This is not the way to burn calories
and get the most out of your workout.
It
should be noted studies have shown that working out on an elliptical can trick
the body into believing it is working easier than it actually is. That is due
to the fact that you are exercising so many muscle groups at once. Therefore,
as you're burning more calories in less time on an elliptical trainer, your body
feels as though it doesn't have to work as hard to achieve its goals. This phenomenon
is known as the "Rate of Perceived Exertion."
Resistance
= Calorie Burn
Regardless,
if you are not applying resistance to your muscles, you are not getting an adequate
burn. It is the resistance that builds your muscles and gets your heart pumping.
It is the resistance level that ultimately determines the amount of calories you
will burn.
You
can control the resistance level either manually, or with other then budget ellipticals,
through the various programs. In particular, "Interval Programs" can
optimize your calorie burn. By alternating between a high exertion level and periods
of recovery you can get the most productive workout in the least amount of time.
In fact, in health clubs the hottest trends in exercising and weight loss is High
Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This new form of "aerobic"
exercising allows the user to burn calories faster.
Before
you begin any new exercise program it is important to check with your doctor,
and to get a feel for your exertion level. This is particularly true with individuals
who have not exercised in quite some time. You want to burn calories, but you
do not want to burn yourself out. Click
here to learn more about weight loss
programs and exercise.
