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Elliptical Trainers – Calories Burned: What’s the Exact Correlation?

So you want to burn those calories and lose weight. One suggestion that you most probably will be hearing is: go buy yourself an elliptical trainer machine. Sounds like a good advice. Elliptical trainers – calories burned. How much really? How fast? How true? Let’s examine the answers.

Elliptical trainers – calories burned; based on what physical fitness experts are saying, there really is a correlation between these two concepts. Elliptical machines have become popular for their ability to provide a low impact, total cardiovascular workout. Plus, they do burn calories. Even more effectively than treadmills, according to some expert studies. But how effective really are ellipticals in terms of burning calories?

According to elliptical machine manufacturers, ellipticals can burn up to 720 calories or more during an hour of full workout. This claim is not too far from the estimates of physical fitness experts. For a woman who weighs 150 lbs., the estimated calories burned in 30 minutes of elliptical exercise is 387; while for a man who weighs 180 lbs., 30 minutes of elliptical workout could result in a 464-500 calories burned. For lighter individuals, say a woman weighing 120 lbs., a thirty-minute workout in an elliptical machine can result in 310 calories burned. But these figures still depend on other factors such as body composition, or the ratio of muscle to fat in a person’s body; whether the individual is a regular exerciser or someone who’s just starting; tension setting of the elliptical machine; interval training; duration of the workout; and of course, sex and weight.

There are also ways by which a person can increase his or her chances of achieving the maximum possible amount of calories burned during an elliptical workout. First, it is advisable to build in intervals. A thirty-second incline interval every two minutes is just appropriate to increase the burning of calories after the actual workout. Second, try using all your body parts. The more muscles that a person is able to exercise, the more calories burned. If the machine is equipped with upper body arm bars, use them. And also, take advantage of the backward and forward motions offered by most ellipticals. Third, it would be better to have two 15 to 20-minute workouts in a day instead of one 30-minute activity for the whole 24 hours. This is because workouts increase a person’s metabolic activities; doing it twice a day will allow the metabolic system to stay active for a longer time.

Burning calories is important when you are trying to lose weight or just trying to stay fit. Experts and majority of users have agreed that the elliptical machine is one of the most effective equipment in terms of burning calories. So the equation, elliptical trainer – calories burned, is not a myth; and the end result is a trimmer, healthier you.