Does the Elliptical Make Your Legs Lean?
The success of your workout depends on you. The elliptical trainer brings benefits such as leaner legs when you put in the time and effort. Although you can’t tell your body to only shape your legs when using the elliptical machine, you will see changes in the look of your legs as your body burns calories and fat.
Elliptical Trainers
An elliptical machine is a stationary cardiovascular trainer. The motion of the elliptical is a combination of stair-stepping and cross-country skiing. You enjoy this low-impact workout without weather dependence and can use the trainers at the gym, or purchase one for use at home. Many elliptical machines also have moveable handles that incorporate your upper body into the workout.
Leg Benefits
Since the elliptical machine provides a cardiovascular workout, it also burns calories. A 150-pound person burns approximately 300 calories during a 30-minute elliptical workout. You need to burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound. If your legs are your storage place for excess weight, the elliptical workout is a way to burn off the excess calories and tone your legs. Your body uses calories from all places in your body, not just your legs, so be consistent with your workouts to see results.
Duration
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a minimum of 150 minutes per week of cardiovascular exercise, which includes your workout on the elliptical trainer. You can do this with 30 minutes a day for five days, or separate your workouts into smaller durations. For example, use your elliptical for 10 minutes three times a day until you have the endurance to gradually increase your time. The more time you spend on the elliptical, the faster you will see results, but more than one hour a day is too much.
Posture
When training your legs on the elliptical, use good posture. Stand upright with your back straight, your chest high and your shoulders pulled down away from your ears. Tighten your stomach by pulling your navel toward your spine to support good posture. Keep your arms relaxed and avoid a tight hand grip on the rails. If you find you are leaning forward, increase the resistance slightly to slow down your pace. Then, you can adjust your posture.
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