The Technology Behind Elliptical Cross Trainers Creates Unique Advantages and Benefits

The Technology Behind Elliptical Cross Trainersprovide resistance
Creates
through a band around the flywheel. Some
Unique Advantages and Benefits
high end and commercial elliptical cross trainers
The word elliptical means shaped like an oval.use magnetic resistance.
In the world of fitness and exercise, elliptical
technology is a
Like a bicycle, this elliptical motion is smooth and
relatively new, innovative equipment design thatcontinuous.
draws on a smooth, elliptical
With a stair stepper or other similar equipment,
movement to provide a low impact form ofthere is a pattern of
weight bearing exercise that is fun and
motion and reverse motion, an up and down or
easy to learn.back and forth, to which your feet
Elliptical cross trainers have footpads that allowand legs must continually adapt. At
you to
the point where the forward motion ends and the
stand up while you exercise. Theyreverse motion begins, there is
have handgrips for you to hold onto and helpan impact from the force of the machine, which
maintain balance.is still in motion.
Some even have handles to use in working yourYour joints, bones, and muscles have to stop the
upper body.motion and reverse it
Because you are standing, the exercise is similareach time.
to walking or running.
With an elliptical trainer, there is no halting of
But the arm bars and elliptical motion createmotion
similarities with biking or
and reversal of direction. Your
skiing. The main difference with
legs keep moving in the same manner continually,
elliptical exercise machines is that although you areeven though there is an overall
standing and bearing
range of motion. Many elliptical
weight, which is important to building bone density,
your feet never leave thecross trainers allow you to reverse the direction
of motion by changing a
footpads. So unlike treadmills or
setting. Thus you are able to work
jogging, there is little impact on your joints and
muscles. Thisthe opposing muscles, while still maintaining the
smooth, non-jarring motion.
provides a low impact, total body workout.
Benefits and Advantages
Elliptical Technology
Studies have shown that weight bearing exercises
The advantages of this type of smooth,are
non-jarring motion
essential for maintaining and improving bone
come from the elliptical design of the exercisedensity.
equipment.
Yet many weight bearing workouts create high
Elliptical technology has come to be known as aimpact stress on joints and
combination of mechanisms
muscles. This can cause health
and design features, unique to elliptical cross
trainers, which create a motionproblems, especially for people with injuries or
arthritis.
similar to the natural path the feet, legs and hips
follow during actual motorAdditionally, many of the different types of
exercise equipment available
activities such as walking or running.
only work one or two areas of the body, which is
There are several different types of ellipticala drawback for people who want
equipment
an overall workout.
available, and the list of choices seems to grow
each day.Under most circumstances, the ideal piece of
fitness
However, most elliptical fitness machines have a
crank arm that isequipment will be provide weight bearing exercise,
while limiting impact and
attached to a stable bar at one end and an axis
at the other.providing for a total body workout. Optimizing
The axis end revolves as the bar moves and thecardiovascular benefits is also important.
other end moves in a flat,
Many styles of exercise equipment address one
nearly liniar back and forth motion. Thisor two of these concerns,
causes an elliptical path for the overall movementbut few combine all the advantages in an overall
of the machine.fitness package such as that
Most elliptical exercise machines built for home useprovided by elliptical cross trainers.