subject: How Elliptical Machines Are Like Cross Country Skiing [print this page] If you have ever gone cross-country skiing, you will see that the similarities it has to the way an elliptical machines works are uncanny. They are both very good for your body and your health, and by learning how elliptical machines work, you can understand how cross-country skiing works as well.
Both work as very low impact workouts, which is perfect for those who have suffered knee or back injuries in the past. The cycle with which it moves your joints through helps to strengthen the way they work.
Over time, research has shown that in order to maintain healthy bone density, it is necessary to engage in weight-bearing activities such as running, racquetball, aerobics, and other forms of exercise where you remain on your feet. But many of these activities involve jarring the bones and muscles and can aggravate old injuries and even cause new ones.
The joints that can be injured or irritated with an impact form of exercise are usually the knees, ankles, hips and back. Pregnant women, people with arthritis, and those who are recovering from an accident often require a low impact exercise routine, and that is exactly what the elliptical exercise machines provide.
With an elliptical machine, you stand with your feet on small, movable platforms, so you are bearing weight, which is good for bone density. In cross-country skiing, your feet are strapped to skis, moving through a low impact motion.
Not only does this make for a safer workout, it reduces the stress on your joints. By using different inclines and stepping speeds, you vary the amount of flexion at the ankle and knees and further reduce the amount of repetitive impact on your feet, legs, and back.
An elliptical machine provides the benefits of weight bearing exercise but without the harmful stress and impact on your joints and muscles. There are few home exercise machines out there that give the same quality low impact workout.
In addition, you can swing your arms, carry small hand weights, or use elliptical machines that come with handles and arms to enhance your upper body workout as well, sculpting your biceps, triceps and other upper body muscles while increasing your calorie burn and cardiovascular impact.Exercise experts caution that resting your arms on the frame of the machine or the upper body handles decreases the overall impact of the workout.
Cross-country skiing also requires movement of the arms, which helps to tone the lower and upper body at the same time. Many elliptical machines allow you to adjust the resistance setting and change the incline-in the same way, you can choose whether to go up small slopes, or to stay on a level ground.
These adjustments increase the challenge level of your workout and also target different sets of muscles. The standing position and motion used to operate the machine provide for excellent hip extension and flexion as well as outstanding knee range of motion.
There is something for every when it comes to skiing. There is a fabulous cardiovascular workout, the beauty of nature, the benefits of fresh, cool air, and the peace and serenity which comes with solitude.
In the same way, elliptical machines offer a variety of programs, inclinations, and the ability to pedal backwards and forwards lending for variety in your workout. They are easy to use for people of all ages.
Research has found that elliptical exercise machines also provide some of the best cardiovascular workouts of any home fitness equipment. The cardio benefits come from the fact that you are getting a total body workout and using many muscle groups.
The same thing is true of skiing, as it gets your heart pumping, and engages all of your muscle groups. In addition, many people feel that the elliptical motion feels natural and is easy to sustain.
They find that elliptical machines complement and enhance normal body movements, making it feel as though this type of workout requires less exertion than other types of exercise. But in fact, studies have shown that elliptical exercise works the cardio muscles and burns calories on a level equal or greater than treadmills, stair steppers and other similar equipment.
Because most people find elliptical exercise equipment easy and fun to use, they are more likely to workout on a regular basis. In the same way, if you pick up cross country skiing as a hobby, chances are you will want to do it for the rest of your life.
