Why Cardio Helps with Weight Loss
Working out on an elliptical is beneficial for weight loss and cardiovascular health. A healthy heart also supports weight loss. Many mistakenly believe that you need to do cardio for extended periods of time to see results.
With an elliptical, you can do shorter bursts of intense cardio. This delivers the best results. You only need a total of 150 to 300 minutes of this each week to efficiently burn fat and lose weight. Cardio exercise gets the blood pumping and heart rate up which stimulates fat burning and weight loss. The next question is how effective is the elliptical for weight loss?
Are Ellipticals Good for Weight Loss?
You can easily estimate the number of calories you will burn on an elliptical in a standard 30-minute workout. Weight yourself first and then multiply this number by 2.16. The number you get is the number of calories you will burn while exercising on an elliptical. Of course, if resistance and intensity change, this number can increase.
Remember that these are estimates only. Everyone’s metabolism functions differently and this influences how fast calories are used. You can still use this calculation to guide your elliptical workout plan. If you eat on average 2600 calories a day, burning 650 per day is a good start. You can both modify your caloric intake and workout intensity to achieve your weight-loss goal.
Understanding Elliptical Machines
Cardiovascular exercise is the best way to boost heart health. It is also an excellent way to lose weight. Ellipticals are one of the most effective ways to lose weight. You enhance circulation, burn fat, and tone muscles. All factors that are important in losing weight. The weight-bearing workouts you get with on ellipticals are also better for your joints.
The Best Ellipticals provide an all-over workout. You can develop the perfect weight loss plan using your elliptical. Because every part of your body gets a workout, you lose more weight than with other exercises. You also tone your muscles which supports fat burning. The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume. Ellipticals help you do this.
How the Elliptical is Effective for Weight Loss
An effective workout on an elliptical involves a routine. The routine needs to include warming up and cooling down. Stretching your muscles before and after keeps them healthy. You reduce the risk of injury and your body moves more efficiently. The result is enhanced fat burning.
You also want to schedule your workout for cooler times of the day. If necessary, keep a fan nearby to keep you cool as you work on the elliptical. Many think that the more you sweat, the more weight you lose. This is inaccurate. Sweating only leads to dehydration and this is not effective nor healthy for weight loss.
Ellipticals are designed to work in a similar fashion to cross-country skiing. Your movements are supposed to be smooth as if you are gliding. As your arms and legs move forwards and back, there should be no bouncing. This is what makes elliptical machines easier on your joints. How effective the elliptical will be for weight loss depends on how you use it.
Elliptical Exercises for Weight Loss
These are the best weight-loss exercises to do on your elliptical.
Forwards and backwards: Alternate between moving forward and moving backward sessions. Different muscles are activated with each version. Over time increase the intensity of the motions.
- Incline challenge: Increase the incline on the elliptical slowly. At the same time add more resistance. Make sure you do not increase resistance until you have done an incline level several times.
- High-intensity training; This is the most effective for weight-loss. Perform short increments of intense training. Resistance needs to be lower and incline should be increased. Go at a faster rate for 20 or 30 seconds and then slower for 60 to 90 seconds. Repeat this a few times. This workout on the Best Elliptical For Weight Loss burns the most calories and will be the most effective for weight loss.
Final Thoughts
Elliptical Machines are an effective way to lose weight. You burn calories and tone multiple muscle groups at the same time. By adding intensity through inclines and resistance you can burn even more calories. Remember that you only need as little as 150 minutes per week to lose weight.
The other essential element to losing weight is to follow a healthy diet. Without a balanced diet, no amount of elliptical exercise will lead to weight loss. To answer the question of how effective the elliptical is for weight loss. Start using an elliptical today and you will see just how quickly you can reach those weight-loss goals.