If you fancy mixing up your workout, it’s time to get to grips with the elliptical machine aka the cross trainer.
How do elliptical fitness machines work?
Elliptical machines are called this way because the pedal components operate in elliptical orbits – rather than circular ones – making the motion dynamics more natural.
These machines are ideal for any kind of user, from beginners up to the senior audience, as well as regular sport enthusiasts.
Cross trainers are the ideal ally if you’d like some workout variety: depending on how you use it, they can improve general stamina, stimulate the muscles of the whole organism, activate the aerobic metabolism (burning fats and carbs) etc.
All this, keeping the workout impact on the joints to a minimum.
What kind of workout can you do with elliptical machines?
Not only are they a joint-friendly machine, but they offer a full body workout that can burn a staggeringly high number of calories. The type of workout you practice with elliptical trainers is aerobic, which strengthens your heart, lungs, and muscles, building at the same time your endurance and your stamina. In fact, cross trainers can be used to perform both steady cardio workouts – which avoid excessive pressure to the joints – and HIIT.
Working on stamina and muscle tone, cross trainers can sculpt the muscles of arms, legs, glutes, shoulders and abs; cardiovascular activities require a shorter recovery time and help reduce your heart rate, improve your overall cardiovascular system and make you lose weight.
To access and discover all these varied and diverse workout types in depth, download the Technogym App.
Can an elliptical be used at home?
Technogym Elliptical – one of Technogym’s latest exclusive releases – offers a total-body workout for everyone, but in a compact layout. Its reduced footprint and its foldable structure make it ideal for any home or any room.
Personal Trainers frequently suggest elliptical machines as a good option for home fitness: Technogym Elliptical takes up only 1 sqm while in use and 0.5 sqm when folded. The pedals – which are just 25 cm from the ground – ensure easy access for everyone, while the practical Fast Track Control positioned on the central handle allows you to adjust the intensity of exercise with a single touch.
Technogym Elliptical is also easy to move around: just grab onto the handle of the lower platform, tilt the elliptical and easily move it on its front wheels.
How to use an elliptical machine?
Never used an elliptical machine before? It’s simple to use.
Step on to the machine on the side where the pedal is lower. Hold onto the still handle to pull yourself on, and to keep you stable throughout.
Next you can switch up your hand position and grab onto the moving handles. Get into a comfortable rhythm, moving the lower body and arms in sync with each other, then you can start to change the resistance and speed using buttons on the elliptical machine screen.
Throughout, keep your core engaged and back straight and aim to keep your gaze forwards.
So, what are the benefits of this machine? Why are elliptical machines good?
4 great reasons to workout with an elliptical machine
If you’re recovering from an injury, or you just want a workout that doesn’t place too much strain on joints, then the elliptical machine is the one! This is why it’s often suggested for the workout of older people. Technogym elliptical machines – while being a combination of comfort, design, and technology – are designed to guarantee the most natural and least stressing movement, highly activating yet without impact on the joints.
Elliptical trainers: low impact on joints and recovery-friendly
The movement trajectory of Technogym cross trainers guarantees effective workouts with maximum glute activation and minimal impact on the joints. This was possible thanks to the over 35 years of experience in the field of fitness and sport of the Technogym Research Center.
You aren’t stepping feet down on the ground when using an elliptical; instead, feet are going through an elliptical motion in mid-air. When you run though, feet hit the floor and ankles and knees can feel the strain, which can lead to injury.
Cross trainers use rear-drive technology to provide a smoother and more natural workout, allowing you to control your movements and balance more effectively; in this way, muscles and joints are subjected to less strain. In fact, compact elliptical machines can also be used for post-injury recovery training. And, what’s more, Technogym cross trainers are also equipped with hand sensors that allow you to constantly monitor your heart rate during your exercise sessions.
An elliptical workout is a total-body workout
Not many machines give your entire body a workout. An elliptical machine works both the lower and upper muscles, as well as your core as you move the handles to and fro.
The elliptical machine also offers a cardiovascular workout, helping the heart and lungs to become more efficient. As mentioned, thanks to it being a low impact workout, it can be useful as a mean to get fitter post injury.
In addition, the angled centre handlebar which comes with Technogym Elliptical allows you to duck backward lowering your buttocks, thus maximizing glute activation.
Elliptical machines can provide a resistance-based exercise
Throwing in resistance-based activities to your workouts is a great way to increase muscle mass, and burn even more calories, as more muscle can help boost metabolism. Plus, working your muscles can also help with bone density. Weak bones can lead to osteoporosis, a particular problem for women going through the menopause as changes in hormones can lead to weaker bones.
Aim to slowly increase the resistance each time you step on the cross trainer to help muscles in the legs, bum, core and arms, get a serious workout.
Burn calories and lose weight with elliptical training
Depending on the resistance used and the speed you’re going, you can expect to burn through a lot of calories on the cross trainers. Typically, 30 minutes will use up around 200 calories, but speed it up and increase the resistance, and you’ll burn a lot more. This makes it a great machine to help you maintain or lose weight.
