Author: Crystal Tamaki, Certified Personal Trainer
Toning your body can be a challenging task, but with the right exercise equipment, it can be made easier.
One of the most effective pieces of equipment for toning your body is an elliptical machine.
Elliptical machines are a great way to get a full-body workout while burning calories and toning your muscles.
In this blog post, we will discuss 7 easy steps to tone your body with elliptical machines.
But before you jump in you need to make sure you have the proper form.
Proper Form
Proper form is essential when using an elliptical machine to tone your body. Here are some tips to help you maintain proper form:
1. Stand up straight: Keep your back straight and your shoulders down and back. Avoid leaning forward or hunching over.
2. Keep your feet flat on the pedals: Make sure your feet are flat on the pedals and your weight is evenly distributed between your heels and toes. Avoid lifting your heels off the pedals, as this can cause unnecessary stress on your ankles and feet.
3. Engage your core: Tighten your abdominal muscles to engage your core. This will help you maintain proper posture and protect your lower back.
4. Use your arms: As mentioned earlier, use the moving handles to work your upper body. Keep your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and avoid swinging your arms excessively.
5. Use a full range of motion: Use a full range of motion when pedaling, extending your legs fully on each stride. This will help you work all of the muscles in your legs and maximize your calorie burn.
6. Avoid bouncing: Avoid bouncing up and down on the pedals, as this can cause unnecessary stress on your joints. Instead, focus on smooth, controlled movements.
7. Don't overdo it: Finally, don't overdo it. Start with a moderate resistance level and gradually increase it as you get stronger. If you feel any pain or discomfort, slow down or stop your workout and consult a medical professional if necessary.
By following these tips, you can maintain proper form and reduce your risk of injury while using an elliptical machine to tone your body.
Step 1. Set Your Resistance Level
When using an elliptical machine, you want to make sure that you're using enough resistance to challenge your muscles.
Start by setting the resistance to a moderate level and then gradually increase it as you get stronger.
The resistance level will vary depending on your fitness level, but aim to set it high enough that you feel challenged, but not so high that you can't maintain proper form.
Most ellipticals, including the Precor EFX 576i, come equipped with 20 levels of resistance to choose from, providing a range of options to challenge your fitness level.
Step 2. Incorporate Intervals
Intervals are a great way to challenge your body and keep your workout interesting.
To incorporate intervals on an elliptical machine, alternate between high-intensity intervals and recovery periods.
For example, you can sprint for 30 seconds and then recover for 1 minute.
Repeat this pattern for the duration of your workout.
Step 3. Focus on Your Posture
Proper posture is essential when using an elliptical machine.
Keep your shoulders back and down, your chest lifted, and your core engaged.
Make sure that you're not leaning forward or backward, as this can put unnecessary stress on your back and knees.
Step 4. Use Your Arms
When using an elliptical machine with moving handles, such as the Precor EFX 835, it's important to engage your upper body for a full-body workout.
Make use of the handles to target your chest, shoulders, and arms, but be sure to maintain proper form by avoiding slouching forward and keeping your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
If you're using an elliptical machine with fixed stationary arms, such as the Precor EFX 546i, you can still engage your upper body by placing your hands on your waist or pumping them as if you were running.
Additionally, maintaining proper posture and engaging your core muscles can also help to maximize the benefits of this low-impact exercise.
Step 5. Vary Your Stride
Utilizing the stride length adjustment feature on the Precor AMT 835 can effectively target specific muscle groups in your legs.
Shorter strides emphasize the activation of the quadriceps and calves, while longer strides primarily engage the hamstrings and glutes.
It is recommended to alternate between different stride lengths during your workout to effectively stimulate all the muscles in your lower body.
Step 6. Increase Your Incline
Most elliptical machines have an incline feature that allows you to increase the slope of the pedals.
This feature can help you target your glutes and hamstrings even more.
Start with a low incline and gradually increase it as you get stronger.
Step 7. Don't Forget to Stretch
After your workout, taking the time to properly stretch your muscles is just as important as the warm-up before it.
To prevent muscle soreness and injury, it is recommended to dedicate a few minutes to stretch your hamstrings, quads, calves, and back.
This can also promote flexibility and improve range of motion in the muscles that were utilized during the workout.
In addition to reducing muscle soreness and preventing injury, incorporating stretching into your post-workout routine can also aid in toning your body.
By promoting flexibility and range of motion, stretching can help to elongate muscles and create a leaner appearance.
This, in turn, can contribute to a more toned and defined physique.
Conclusion
In conclusion, toning your body with an elliptical machine is a great way to get a full-body workout while burning calories and toning your muscles.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your elliptical workout and achieve your fitness goals.
Remember to challenge yourself, vary your routine, and stay consistent to see results.
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