Hi everyone! It’s your favorite cardio nerd Andrew, and today, we are all about ellipticals! Are you thinking of buying one?
Do you own an elliptical but aren’t sure how to use it? Which is the better workout—a treadmill or an elliptical? Ellipticals are one of the most popular machines at the gym so they must have something going for them, right?
Let me answer all your questions today about ellipticals and what they can do for you!
What Muscles Does an Elliptical Work?
The short answer here is pretty much all of them! This is why elliptical workouts are so popular. You are working your upper body and lower body at the same time you are getting a low-impact cardio workout!
Specifically, an elliptical will work the following muscle groups:
- The glutes (your butt)
- Hamstrings (the back of the thigh)
- Quadriceps (the front of the thigh)
- Chest muscles
- Back muscles
- Core muscles
- Triceps (the back of the arm)
- Biceps (the front of the arm)
Probably the only muscles that are not working and are just skating along for the ride would be your toes and your face!
An elliptical workout is a full-body workout that also doubles as a cardio exercise. Some cardio machine models even allow you to change the resistance and incline levels, making for high-intensity workouts that doesn’t put too much strain on your joints.
Are Ellipticals Good for Losing Belly Fat?
Yes, they are, but perhaps not in the way you might think.
You’ll see lots of ads and short videos touting this or that exercise movement that supposedly will instantly reduce your belly, but that’s not how the body works.
For example, crunches will work those abdominal muscles and make them rock hard, however, you can still have fat covering those muscles. Why is this? Because spot reduction (exercising one particular area, such as the belly or your tush) won’t make fat disappear from those areas.
How do you make belly fat disappear? Cardio exercises are the answer!
It’s all about genetics. Your body will store fat wherever it feels is the best place to store it, based partly on your genetics.
This means that when you want to lose weight, your body will burn fat from wherever it feels would be of least consequence to your survival.
Unfortunately, this usually means that belly fat is the last to go. Your body is simply trying to protect your internal organs, let’s give it a break.
However, if you consistently create a calorie deficit and get in regular cardio exercise, you CAN burn that abdominal fat.
Ellipticals are terrific cardio machines, so if a reduction in belly fat is your goal, an elliptical workout is a great way to start! Even a recumbent or seated elliptical workout can help you lose body fat!
Is an Elliptical Workout Good for Seniors?
Believe it or not, an elliptical machine is one of the best ways for seniors to get the exercise they need!
Since an elliptical is a low-impact machine, it shouldn’t bother arthritic joints. Seniors will enjoy aerobic exercise while protecting their joints from further damage.
Ellipticals are also good for improving balance, something most seniors need. If weight loss is your goal, you can burn some major calories, especially if you do high-intensity interval training workouts.
Last, you will find that elliptical machines are considered a weight-bearing exercise, which improves bone density and helps avoid broken bones from falls.
Can You Use an Elliptical Machine with Back Pain?
If walking brings on back pain, you may find a regular elliptical to be too painful to use.
That doesn’t mean you don’t have options. I used one at my physical therapist’s office, and you might have, too.
You can get a space-saving seated elliptical workout with the Teeter FreeStep recumbent cross trainer. This is a true elliptical cross trainer since you can use just the arm portion or just the legs if you like, or both.
Do you know what I love about the Teeter FreeStep? It comes with a FREE app called Teeter Move. This gives you free workout plans and sets up a fitness routine that you may actually look forward to!
The seat is fully adjustable, as are the handlebars and the stride of the foot pedals. If you want elliptical training but have back issues, there is nothing better than the Teeter FreeStep.
If you’ve been considering a recumbent bike rather than an elliptical, you’ll want to read this Teeter recumbent bike review first.
Which Is a Better Workout? A Treadmill or an Elliptical?
An elliptical workout beats a treadmill hands down any day.
While treadmills are really good cardio machines, and they do burn calories like crazy, the problem is that not only are they really hard on the knees and hips, but they also only work the leg muscles.
In comparison, an elliptical works both the upper and lower body muscles. You will also burn calories like mad, but you will be working the entire body. You will not be doing just a lower-body workout that requires you to do arm or upper-body strength training later on.
Ellipticals are terrific for getting in all the exercise you need in a single workout. I like the idea of spending less time exercising but still getting all the benefits that cardio has to offer.
Does an Elliptical Build Muscle?
Yes, it does!
Elliptical machines work by making you both pull and push. This means that every elliptical workout session is like a mini-resistance training session.
Of course, you can’t expect to get monster muscles like a bodybuilder, but you can improve your muscle tone and build new muscles with every elliptical workout.
Not only does an elliptical machine improve your cardiovascular endurance, but it will also help you burn fat as you build new muscle both on the upper and lower body!
Seriously, what more could anyone ask for in an exercise machine?
Is 30 Minutes on an Elliptical Machine Enough?
In many instances, yes it is.
If you are already in pretty good shape and want to maintain your current healthy body weight, or you are simply looking to burn calories, then 30 minutes 3-5 days per week is probably enough.
For seniors, the injured, or those with chronic health problems, 30 minutes might be too much. Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
If you have a lot of weight to lose and haven’t really exercised in years, you will probably need to build up to 30 minutes and consider doing 45-minute workouts most days of the week to reach your goals.
You’ll benefit from having your own exercise machine at home, no doubt, so we’re not surprised if you’re looking around for the best elliptical for a heavy person.
We hope you find the perfect elliptical machine, and when you do, always remember to give your body at least one full day of rest to recover and build that new muscle!
In Conclusion
Elliptical workouts are some of the best full-body workouts that target all the major muscle groups while improving cardiovascular health.
Everyone can benefit from an elliptical machine, whether you are old or young, fit or not so fit, male or female.
Why not get started with an elliptical workout this week? You’ll lower your overall body fat while working up a new set of tight, toned muscles!
You can do it! I believe in you!
Stay fit and have fun!
