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Elliptical training is a relatively new alternative to treadmill running and stair climbing. It provides you with a cardiovascular workout comparable to workouts using those machines but with less stress on the body.
Benefits
Elliptical training provides you with a low-impact workout with less exertion. Your feet never leave the pedals, putting less stress on your joints, back and hips. The machine guides you, allowing you to burn the same amount of calories, but you feel less stress on your body than you would on a treadmill.
Effects
Elliptical training provides an efficient cardiovascular workout. It raises your heart rate.
Function
Elliptical trainers act like a cross between a stair climber and a treadmill, as your legs move on pedals in an oval, elliptical motion that simulates running.
History
Elliptical training is a relatively new phenomenon. Manufacturers introduced the first machines in the 1990s.
Types
Elliptical trainers vary in terms of size and function, depending on the manufacturer and price. According to a study published in "Journal of Exercise Physiology," most ellipticals provide the same intensity workout but with a different overall feel for each.
Source:
MayoClinic.com: Fitness--Are Elliptical Machines Better Than Treadmills for Basic Aerobic Workouts?
More Information:
American College of Sports Medicine: Selecting and Effectively Using an Elliptical Trainer
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