Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Treadmills vs. Elliptical Machines: The Face Off

By John Andrews

Elliptical machines are slowly but surely becoming the new treadmill. These machines give a person a complete workout, using multiple muscles. They are sold worldwide; some are as low as 400 dollars and some as high as 4 thousand.

The elliptical machine combines skiing, walking, and bicycling in its design. These machines typically have screens on them that will display a person's heart rate while they are working out. Some elliptical machine screens display the calories that they have burned as well.

The best factor about an elliptical machine versus a treadmill is that they do not put pressure on the joints while exercising. When a person walks or runs it is constant pressure on the ankles and feet. With an elliptical machine this impact on the feet does not exist.

The elderly or people who have been injured can use elliptical machines. People who have experienced ankle injuries may find it difficult to use a treadmill because of the pressure that is put on their feet. They will not feel this pressure when using the elliptical.

Some seniors may find it hard to walk on the treadmill due to a fear of falling or sliding off of it. On an elliptical machine their feet are set in one place and it is impossible to slide off, and falling is unlikely. Most elliptical machines have different programs that a person can pick from.

Some elliptical machines have up to 20 different programs to pick from, these are usually the more expensive ones; the cheaper ones usually have fewer than 10 programs. Ellipticals provide a person with a better workout then a treadmill, because they affect more muscles. Elliptical machines have resistance levels that can be altered; this way, more than one person can use the elliptical machine.

The word elliptical means oval, this is because the motion that the legs form when using the machine stride in an oval shape. The bigger the strides on an elliptical machine the more room a person will have to move around. Most ellipticals typically have 10 to 20 inch strides.

Elliptical machines come in many different shapes and sizes. Some can fold up but most have to put together in the spot, which they are meant to stay. When a person purchases an elliptical machine three questions should be asked, will it fit my budget, my house, and me?

Elliptical machines are found in all gyms nowadays and are frequently used by gym guests. Elliptical machines focus more on cardio and will help a person shed those unwanted pounds by burning fat without building too much muscle. Although ellipticals help to burn fat, they can be programmed to help build muscle if that is what the person wishes.

Another wonderful factor about elliptical machines is that they can be used without electricity. A person may not be able to see how many calories that they burned, but they could still use the machine and get a good workout. A treadmill can only work if it is plugged in to the wall.

Elliptical machines provide a person with a better workout than treadmills do. They will run with out power, work more muscles, and they do not affect the joints of the feet and ankles like treadmills do. All in all they are a better way of exercising than the use of a treadmill. - 17269

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