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Elliptical trainers can provide much the same aerobic and cardiovascular
benefits as treadmills, and burn as many calories. Elliptical trainers are also
lower-impact than treadmills, and many people prefer them for that reason.
Elliptical machines don't directly train your body for any specific sport,
although the motion can be similar to cross-country skiing. If you're training
to run a road race, you'll want to train on a treadmill when you can't be
outdoors. If you're training for a triathlon, elliptical trainers will help your
endurance and cardiovascular fitness, but you'll need to use a stationary bike
to get in shape for the cycling portion. If you're going Mountain climbing,
stair climbers can help build the leg and glute muscles you need more
specifically than elliptical trainers will.
A particularly nice thing about elliptical machines is the reversible motion
that helps work your lower body in a unique way. You won't go as fast, and thus
it will be less of a cardio workout, but using elliptical trainers in reverse is
a great way to exercise your quads and other lower body muscles.
Elliptical machines have become extremely popular in the last few years
precisely because they do things differently. And studies continue to show that
you can burn just as many calories on elliptical trainers as you can on
treadmills. For lower impact, involvement of the upper body, variability and the
ability to work different muscles, elliptical trainers are hard to beat.
A personal trainer at the gym can help you explore the options for working out
on elliptical trainers, and manufacturers often provide extensive workout guides
and suggestions if you are considering buying an elliptical trainer machine of
your own.
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