MY HEALTH AT FIRST

Cardio exercise is the number one way to lose weight and burn calories. There are several home gym equipment machines to choose from. A treadmill is one of the most popular, but these machines can be hard on the knees and hips. For an alternative cardio workout machine, the exerciser can choose an elliptical. An elliptical trainer is similar to a treadmill, but it isn’t as hard on the knees. An elliptical raises the heart rate, makes the user sweat, and it is a great way to lose weight. The best elliptical exercise equipment comes with just the basic options to give the exerciser a good bearing on the amount of calories burned and the distance achieved.

The Elliptical Control Panel

The very basic elliptical trainer machine has only the minimum options. It has handles, a motor and a control panel that gives you the speed settings. For simple exercisers, this may be enough, but the best elliptical exercise equipment has the options that help the user burn more fat. The control panel is the main part of the elliptical trainer that tells the user if the workout is successful. These options should be a part of any good elliptical machine control panel:

• Calories burned
• Distance achieved
• Steps per minute
• Heart rate monitor
• Resistance settings

These control panel options aren’t necessary, but they help the exerciser achieve goals. For instance, knowing the distance and amount of steps taken allows the exerciser to calculate how many calories were burned during a workout. This can be compared to the calories burned display on the control panel to evaluate the machine’s accuracy.

Elliptical Trainer Hand Rests or Arm Handles?

Elliptical machines have two types of ways to place the hands: bars where the user can rest her hands or arm handles where they move back and forth with the step workout. Resting bars are good for people who just need a standard workout. For people who want the best elliptical exercise equipment options, an arm handle that moves back and forth with the workout burns the most calories. It also builds more muscle using resistance in the arms. Elliptical trainers that have this option improve the workout. The exerciser can choose not to use them in the beginning to have an easier workout during the first elliptical training sessions. However, using them is a part of a more efficient workout, and they are part of the best elliptical exercise equipment.