Whether you own an elliptical and are looking for new ways to use it, or are interested in buying one, you should be aware that there are many ways to turn this machine into an effective gut buster!  In the absence of resistance bands or dumbbells, here are some ways to play with the machine by varying resistance.  Using the resistance listed below – I will then show you an incredibly effective and short workout!

Elliptical trainers can vary resistance through a few different ways.

1. Speed you move your legs (revolutions)
2. Intensity or resistance of the machine
3. Your position (standing up, or in semi squatting position or in a full squat position on the eliptical)
4. and Whether you push the pad with your heel or your toe

These 4 elements can be used to vary your workouts to BLAST your body in only 20-30 minutes!

HERE IS WHAT TO DO!

The first part: Start the machine at a steady pace for a 4 minute warm up

Next Stage is 5 minutes of 10/20 blasts: increase the resistance to a mid level intensity for yourself, and during this section go as fast as you possibly can for 10 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of recovery.  Repeat for 5 minutes straight. (push with heels)

Next Stage of 4 minutes: do 15 seconds in a full squat position (squatting while you hold on to the handles for support and staying in the squat while you move your legs quickly) 15 seconds in a semi squat position and then 30 seconds of rest.  Repeat 4x through this sequence

Next State of 4 minutes: Do Mud running for 30 seconds 30 sec rest followed by 20 blast 40 sec rest, repeat this sequence 2x.  Mud running..turn the machine up to the highest resistance and go as hard and as ‘fast’ as you can.  Note: the resistance should be high enough that you have to aggressively push with your arms!  Drive mostly with the arms here while keeping your back straight to get an AB WOROUT on an eliptical!!!!

Next Stage: 1 minutes of balls out going fast at a high resistance

Recover Stage: go light at an easy resistance for 2 minutes – you can end here for a short workout or go on for some more!

Next Stage of 2 minutes: Mud running..turn the machine up to the highest resistance for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of ‘rest’ at a lower resistance, repeat.  Note: the resistance should be high enough that you have to aggressively push with your arms!  Drive mostly with the arms here while keeping your back straight to get an AB WOROUT on an eliptical!!!!

Next 2 Min Stage 10 sec blast, 20 rest, 30 mud run, 10 sec blast 30 mud run, 20 second rest

Next 3 minutes: 10 sec blast 20 sec squat 10 sec blast 20 sec rest, repeat 3x

Cool Down: Congratulations!  You made it through an incredibly tough workout!  Take 2-5 minutes to go slow and let your heart rate come down and your body cool down naturally.

This workout will burn more calories than your basic eliptical training workouts and will stimulate your metabolism in a huge way!  By switching this workout in every 2-4 weeks for 3 days straight you can be sure that your body will not fall into a “routine”.  In plain english – THIS CAN BUST THROUGH YOUR PLATEAUS AND GET YOU BACK ON TRACK WITH YOUR GOALS.

I recommend the Kettler CTR3 Elliptical ,  the Life Fitness 95xi Elliptical Crosstrainer, or the Life Fitness 9500HR Elliptical for the best units for this workout!  The sturdy frames of the Life Fitness models and the high levels or resistance make them great matches!

Enjoy this kick butt cardio workout and stay tuned for more ideas on how to provide incredible variety using single pieces of equipment by thinking outside the box!

Andrew J.
Founder
South Beach Boot Camp
www.southbeachbootcamp.net

Tonight the Cleveland Cavs play the Orlando Magic in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals. Since I was born and raised in Cleveland I am a huge Cavs fan, so to say that I am stressed is an understatement. I beat the hell out of the stress that was beating the hell out of me….

When I woke up in the morning, I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and jumped on my StairMaster 7000PT. Exercising is the best way to beat stress. Period. I don’t care how many doctors think that medication is better than exercise, if there are any that do, because I know how great physical training makes me feel. I am totally convinced that Cardio Training and Strength Training are the best weapons to use as we fight stress caused in our daily lives from our job, economic situation, family issues and whatever else makes us tense. So where were we? Oh yeah, I jumped on the StairMaster 7000PT Step mill. When I work out, having the same exercise stair climbing machine that is seen in virtually every commercial gym across the country, helps motivate me to train. Actually working out for at least an hour 3 times a week is very difficult and the last thing you want to interfere with you getting in a great workout is the fitness exercise equipment itself. The StairMaster 4200, 4400 and 4600 all have stationary foot pedals versus the StairMaster 7000PT exercise stair stepper has what we like to call, escalator steps. The steps are constantly rotating so that you can’t cheat yourself!

You know is great for motivational purposes? Cardio exercise equipment digital programs! When you use the electronic programming options on cardio fitness equipment you are able to track your progress and push yourself in a way that it becomes fun as you set new goals and achieve them. For example, if I pick out a program on my StairMaster that is 40 minutes long, I am going to push myself to finish the forty minutes. Through the programming and feedback on the exercise equipments display console, you are aware of how long you have been working out for and how much time you have left. This is beneficial because you are less likely to quit exercising after 32 minutes if you have a 40 minute workout plan laid out and you can see that you only have 8 minutes left to complete your routine. On the other hand, if you have not set a goal for your exercise workout routine, you have no motivation to keep working out and pushing yourself like you need to in order to achieve maximum results.

When using a treadmill, the programming options are very important motivational tools as well. Different programming options such as Fat Burn, Weight Loss, Interval Training, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Interactive, Golf Course, Tennis Training and manual all allow users to keep their workouts fresh and inspirational each and every time they use cardio fitness equipment. As a runner, you will see results quicker and your workout will be more effective done if you are working out using programmability such as Mountain Training that automatically incorporates steep hills into your workout than you would if you arbitrarily picked out an amount of time and incline percentage for the treadmill to be set at throughout your cardio exercise routine.

In conclusion, if you are feeling stressed out for any reason, plan an exercise routine, jump on a nice piece of cardio fitness equipment and pick out one of the programs it has so that you do not get bored and feel inspired to exercise. You will thank us later – GO CAVS!

Cross Training through the use of an elliptical machine in your home is a great way to stay in shape. One of the many great things about elliptical is that they do not burden your joints with pain and stress like treadmills and running out side will. Secondly, elliptical cross trainers provide users with a total body workout that will strengthen your core, trim your fat and add lean muscle to your body. In the past several years, our customers have started buying more elliptical trainers than treadmills! This is due to their ability to mimic natural running motions while providing you with a workout that is easier on your body and burns more calories than exercising on treadmills, rowing machines, bikes, or home gyms.

Today, the latest and greatest piece of fitness equipment is the Elliptical Cross Trainer, evidenced by its nation-wide popularity. The elliptical fitness equipment is great for your body because it not only provides you with a total body workout that uses all four limbs, but in doing so, your knees, hips and joints are not subjected to constant pressure and pounding like they are when you run on a treadmill or outside. Start getting in shape now with one of our Award winning elliptical fitness equipment that we have in stock including the Precor EFX 576i, Precor EFX 556i, Precor EFX 556, Precor EFX 546, Life Fitness 95xi, Life Fitness 93x, and the Life Fitness 9500 Next Generation Elliptical. Those Life Fitness and Precor elliptical cross trainers can be found at commercial health club facilities across the nation and we are proud to offer them for rock bottom prices and free shipping! Call us right now to find out which Elliptical Cross Trainer is right for you.