0

How to Properly Use The Elliptical Exercise Bike and Lose More Fat

If you are interested in exercise or already a fitness expert, the elliptical should be your

companion. However, do not use it in the wrong way and you will be able to get all the benefits. While the number of calories burned in any session depends on machine optimization, resistance level or speed used, you can usually burn around 270 and 400 calories in just 30 minutes.

In addition, a great advantage of the elliptical Exercise bike is that it provides a low-impact workout, since by keeping the feet always on the pedals; the movement generated is friendly to the joints and back.

The elliptical is one of the best cardio equipment that allows more muscles to work at the same time. It increases muscle strength and stamina in the hamstrings, quadriceps, buttocks, and calves, but also exercises arms, chest and back when actively using the handles. The more muscles you are working on, the more calories you burn.

Check Latest Price

Advantages of using an elliptical exercise bike

There are many reasons to choose an elliptical, but here we will talk about the most important ones, the machine:

• Works glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and cuff joints in the lower body. Also, lateral, pectoral, biceps and triceps upper body.
  • Helps reduce bone mineral loss in weight-bearing bones.
  • The feet never leave the pedals, circumventing the impact. An elliptical workout is quieter and more comfortable.
  • You can adjust the resistance and learning of the elliptical, also change the speed.
  • When combined with healthy diet and strength work out, ellipticals can help achieve weight loss goals.
  • Regular cardio exercises also reduce stress and improve mood.

The elliptical with respect to other Cardio

Performing the same exercise over and over again, conditions the body to adapt to it. Over time, they burn fewer calories and maintain, rather than improve, cardiovascular health. The ideal for burning more calories and increasing fitness sooner is to alternate the routine, even if performed as the main mode of exercise, the elliptical.

Fixed Bikes: Like another low-impact cardio machine, the stationary bike also allows you to sit while exercising, which helps maintain balance and is ideal for people with joint or back pain. However, while you can adjust the resistance, you cannot adjust the incline or use the control rods as you would in an elliptical.

Outdoor Bike: The main drawback of cycling outdoors is that you cannot control it as you do in the gym. There are hills and obstacles to take on, besides having the additional challenge of core stability and the importance of making sure you stay on your bike. In general, cycling is low impact, however, beginners or those with joint problems should continue to choose the elliptical, at least at the beginning.

Running on Tapes: Even though the elliptical is perfect for beginners because their body weight is fully compatible with the machine, the treadmill has a lot of potential for burning more calories, particularly for advanced runners, depending on speed and incline. However, on the treadmill, you will get a high impact workout. In addition, it only trains the lower part of the body. Those who want a full body cardio session or those with joint problems should opt for the elliptical.

Climbing stairs: As long as you do not lean too much on the stair railings, this machine can provide great training for the lower body, targeting at the buttocks and quadriceps, even more than the elliptical machine. But, like most other cardio options, the elliptical is still the best choice for lower impact training.

Practice Properly on the Elliptical

First, there are several things to keep in mind during each workout on an elliptical. Performing it properly will help you gain more benefits: It is essential to stand up with a correct posture, keeping your head firmly over your shoulders and shoulders in front of your hips. To work the upper body, you should actively push and pull the handles, not just hold on.

Many times, when we have tired the forearms and shoulders can make us lean on the machine and make a very common mistake. This movement can reduce the strengthening and fat burning effects. In addition, over time, you can tighten your shoulders and back.

It is also important to always check the speed. Going too fast in elliptical routines can be counterproductive and does not actually compromise your muscles.
In other words, speeding, such as inclinations, cheats your legs and decreases the benefits of strengthening and burning calories. The movement of the feet must be self-driven and not come from the pedals.

Check Latest Price

Elliptical training to take to the gym

Below we can find four training sessions that use various adjustments of the elliptical machine to orient the entire body. It is recommended to incorporate at least one workout into the weekly routine, or if the elliptical is used several times during the week, try a pair or more.

High-intensity short intervals (30 minutes)

Settings: Select the short-range program of the machine. If there is not one, use the manual mode. Set the slope (or ramp) from low to moderate (you will not change for this exercise). Instead, adjust the resistance to change the intensity.

• After a three-minute warm-up period, follow the machine’s interval program (generally 30 seconds to two minutes). If performed in the manual mode, increase the resistance considerably for one or two minutes. You can try pushing and pulling the handles as it will help increase the RPM.
• Reduce the intensity and slow the RPM to achieve a rest period of the same length as the intense interval (eg one minute intense, one-minute rest).
  • Repeat intervals until the total exercise time is 27 minutes. Then cool three to five minutes of light effort.

Hills (45 minutes)

Adjustments: Choose a “Hill” program that gradually increases resistance and incline for a period of between two and five minutes and then offers a rest period. Most machines will offer four to six reps per hill workout.

• After the heating phase (three to five minutes), perform the hill and take into account the total time.
• Take rest for five minutes

Medium length long intervals (45 minutes)

Perform in manual mode. In addition, the intensity can be increased by adjusting the ramp and RPM.

• After the warm-up (three to five minutes), perform five five-minute intervals at an intermediate-high stress level. Use the following parameters:

1. Low ramp, low resistance, high RPM
2. Medium ramp, low resistance, high RPM (pedal back)
3. High Ramp, Low Resistance, High RPM
4. Medium ramp, low resistance, high RPM
5. Low ramp, medium strength, high RPM (pedal back)

• Between each interval, it recovers for three minutes at a moderate intensity (average effort level).
• Cool for three to five minutes.

The staircase (60 minutes)

• While hands are freely swinging, warm up for five minutes. Then perform three 15-minute intermissions. During these intervals, the intensity will increase every five minutes by doing the following:

1. The first five minutes: low ramp, low resistance (medium effort level)
2. Next five minutes: average ramp, medium strength (medium-high effort level)
3. The last five minutes: high ramp, high strength (high effort)

• After finishing the first 15-minute interval, tread for two minutes, then get down the machine for 25 squats with body weight.
• Perform the second interval (with the same structure as the previous one, including strides and squats).
• Carry out the third interval.
• Cool in five minutes of easy steps, allowing the arms to swing freely.

Tips for using the elliptical

• It is important to use slippers that are suitable for surface and elliptical operation.
• Consult a physician before starting any weight loss regimen, especially if you have injuries that would make use of dangerous gym equipment.

How to Properly Use The Elliptical Exercise Bike (Video Review)

Conclusion:

If you want a balance between maintenance and cost, you must get this machine. You can easily fit this in any corner of the house and you can also engage in other activities while using the elliptical machine. Who does not love watching the television while working out? Nothing more fun that entertaining you and burn calories at the same time.

---

Quick Navigation: 

• Best Upright Exercise Bikes Review & Buying Guide
• Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike Review