Choosing An Elliptical Trainer – Getting The Most From An Elliptical Machine

The most recent IDEA Fitness Programs and Equipment Report reveals that cardio machines such as treadmills and stationary cycles are among the most frequently used equipment at fitness facilities. As a way to help fitness enthusiasts maximize their workouts with this type of equipment, the IDEA Health & Fitness Association offers these suggestions:

Choose Appropriate Equipment. If possible, select equipment that provides weight-bearing exercise, as this improves bone health. Your options include a treadmill, an elliptical trainer or a stair climber. However, if you need to perform non-weight-bearing exercise for medical or other reasons, use a stationary bicycle.

Understand the Equipment. Make sure that you can access the preset programs (or create your own); control your workout's speed, intensity and duration; and adjust the seat position or incline, if applicable. Before you begin, understand how to stop the equipment in case you need to dismount quickly. Some machines have a "stop" button on the console or a safety switch you attach to your clothes. In other cases, you just stop exercising and the machine slows to a halt.

Look for Heart Rate Technology. If possible, use equipment with integrated heart rate technology. Then, when you wear a transmitter on a chest strap, you can monitor your heart rate on the console as you exercise. Examine heart rate charts to find the guidelines for your age.

Familiarize Yourself With the Programs. Most pieces of cardiovascular equipment have preset programs to help you meet goals such as losing weight, preparing for a 100-mile bike ride or training for a hill run. Consider how the various programs will best support your goals and recreational activities.

First Try a Manual or Steady-State Program. A manual program allows you to continually adjust the intensity, incline and speed of your workout. A steady-state program gives you a warm-up, a cardio workout and a cool-down. Some steady-state programs are preset; others are customizable.

Advance to an Interval Program. Most machines have some type of preset interval program that intersperses periods of intensity with periods of recovery. (The program may be called "fat burning" or "weight loss" on some equipment.) The best programs factor in speed, grade, resistance level and heart rate. With these programs, you can enter your target heart rate (THR) and the machine will automatically adjust key variables throughout the workout to keep you in your THR zone.

About The Author:
Sheena Greenwood is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.elliptical-trainers-n-machines.com. Researched articles on exercise equipment, bikes, ellipticals and home fitness machines.

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