If you just bought an elliptical for home or recently joined a gym, you may be wondering how to start using the elliptical. The good news is that it is not very difficult. Next to an exercise bike, learning to use an elliptical trainer is very intuitive and easy.
Actually, the hardest part of getting started on the elliptical is knowing how often to train on it and for how long. As with any diet or exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor and get clearance before beginning. The best advice when you’re just starting out is to take things slow to allow both your body and mind to adjust to the new demands you’ll place on them.
A good goal is to train on the elliptical 4 times a week for 30-45 minutes. If your schedule doesn’t allow for this frequency, then do what you can. Three times a week for 20 minutes will produce great results if done consistently over a period of time. Just make sure you do something and get moving!
The other thing you should pay attention to is your clothing and footwear. The good news is that these items don’t need to be fancy or expensive. Just be sure to wear loose clothing that absorbs perspiration. Select shoes that offer good shock absorption and provide a little more room in the toe box. This precaution can help prevent your feet from going numb while using the elliptical.
The actual shape and motion you use on the elliptical is very easy to master. He just remembers to keep an upright posture and not slouch. If you use the upper body handles, don’t hold them too tightly, as this will make your forearms tense. Then it’s just a matter of taking full and fluid steps.
Most ellipticals come equipped with a wide variety of preset programs with the ability to store user profiles. These are really cool features, but my advice is to just stick with the plain old manual setup. The important thing is to determine your target heart rate and stay within it during the core of your training session. As you progress through your training program, feel free to explore the preset training programs and start experimenting with advanced training techniques such as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
Once you’ve completed your elliptical workout, use the period immediately after finishing to stretch your muscles for a few minutes. This is very relaxing and will make you feel great afterwards. Just be sure to stretch after your workout and never stretch a cold muscle!
Starting to use an elliptical is not difficult at all. Take your time; keep your expectations reasonable and, more importantly, stick to them. That’s the only way you’ll see results you’ll be proud of!