Weight Training Tips and Articles

Use An Elliptical Machine To Do Cardio

April 13, 2008 on 5:21 am | In Cardiovascular Training, Fat Loss, Metabolism |

  Everybody knows that cardiovascular workouts are great for fat loss. Every time you walk, run, or jog for a sustained amount of time you’ll burn calories and boost your metabolic rate. However, some people have chronic joint pain in the knees or ankles and running or jogging can make it worse. Even if you don’t have any knee or ankle pain one misstep when you’re jogging or running may cause a muscle strain or pull. Running is a great form of cardio exercise, but if you have any joint pain or want to avoid it at all costs you should try working out on an elliptical machine.

  Doing cardio workouts on an elliptical machine will allow you to get all of the movement you get from running without your joints taking a pounding. When exercising on an elliptical machine you simply put your feet on the small platforms and move them back and forth as if you were running. Many elliptical machines have hand holds that allow you to move your arms back and forth so you’ll be exercising the entire body. You can also reverse your movement - going in a backward motion instead of forward. Another great thing about working out on an elliptical machine is that you can easily read a book or magazine to pass the time no matter how fast you’re exercising. Try running fast on a treadmill and see if you can read - it’s kind of hard to do.

  Whe you start doing cardiovascular training on an elliptical machine try to get 25-30 minutes every other day. Eventually you’ll want to work up to 45 minute workouts 5 or 6 days a week. You’ll get all the fat loss results of other forms of cardio exercise without having to worry as much about injuries.