Nowadays one common question is how long should you run on an elliptical to lose weight?
Elliptical exercise equipment comes with two main components, one is hand levers and the other is paddle links. Both of these are applied pressure in order to burn calories.
The hand levers and paddle links both make sure that the pressure is equally divided between the arms and legs so that there isn’t a burden upon one.
It has the ability to train the upper body and the lower body, however, it is super amazing for training specific leg muscles.
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How Long Should You Run on an Elliptical to Lose Weight at Home
Whenever an individual, starts exercising, the exercise or the workout session is scheduled to be lesser in time so that the individual isn’t burdened.
Similarly, if you are someone who is new to elliptical then you might need some time to get used to its working.
The initial workout session is 10 minutes for the first few days and when you are used to it, the workout time is increased to lose weight. A good workout for losing weight is 30-60 minutes every day.
Also, to lose weight you need to set a target. The target can be determined by figuring out the maximum heart rate.
First, find out your maximum heart rate and then subtract it from 220.
Then, multiply the achieved figure with 60 or 70 percent and you will have the target heart range.
Depending upon this range, your trainer will tell you the most suitable workout session with elliptical.
Another thing that you need to consider in order to achieve the best results is that you have to be consistent with your workout sessions.
Does elliptical help lose belly fat?
Since the elliptical training equipment has the ability to burn calories at a higher rate, it certainly has the ability to help you lose belly fat.
Not only can you lose body fat, specifically belly fat but you are also able to tone the muscles of your body. In order to get rid of the belly fat, people usually follow the interval workout.
The interval workout basically works on the principle of a 2 to 1 ratio. This means that you need to have a 30-second-high intensity workout with 15 seconds of recovery, similarly, you need to have 60 seconds of high-intensity workout along with 30 seconds of recovery.
During the recovery periods, you don’t stop moving your legs but you move at a lower level.
Another thing that you need to consider here is that each body responds to workouts in a different way.
So, you must take the help of your trainer to figure out how much workout time you would need to lose weight.
How Much Time Should One Do Elliptical?
The time of the workout may vary from person to person. Some people are using the elliptical exercise equipment only to maintain their weight or to ensure fitness.
However, there are people who intend to lose weight or train specific leg muscles. So, depending upon the need of the person, the time for elliptical varies.
Initially, the workout sessions are started from 10 minutes each day, and then eventually the time period for workouts is increased.
People may use the elliptical exercise equipment for 30-60 minutes each day depending upon their needs.
If you need to tone muscles then you will surely need a greater time period of workout.
Best Elliptical For Home Use?
Instead of going to the gym, you can have elliptical exercise equipment at home and you will be able to have a good workout at home.
When you are buying an elliptical for home use then you might want one which has an affordable price.
Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical with Bluetooth App Tracking Option is a great affordable yet highly effective elliptical.
Diet Before and After
When you are on the road to weight loss, you don’t only need to have good workout sessions but you also need a good diet. Especially, if you intend to tone muscles then you need a high protein diet.
In order to have a healthy lifestyle, you not only need a good workout but a healthy diet as well to have good results.
Your main aim on the road of weight loss is a calorie deficit with the help of exercise and with your diet.
For this, you need to track your calorie intake. Make sure that you know the number of calories that you are taking by making a chart and also limiting yourself to healthy foods.
This way, you can keep a count of the calories. The critical thing here is that you cannot a lot of calories right away from your standard diet.
If you are cutting out 500 calories and you are still hungry then you need to make sure that you cut only 200 calories.
Of course, you don’t want to harm yourself by not eating anything or reducing a lot of calories right away.
The whole process is gradual and it may take time to show effective results.
Before the exercise, your pre-meal should consist of glycogen so that you can have a good exercise.
Similarly, the post-exercise meal is also very necessary and along with that, you need to have hydration. Take a lot of fluids after exercise to replace the fluids.
After your workout session, you need to have carbohydrates and proteins both. The carbohydrate to protein ratio should be 4:1. Consumption of proteins only can have adverse effects on the body.
Do’s of Elliptical
Use high-quality exercise equipment
The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that you have high-quality exercise equipment so that you can have the desired results.
If the machine is not good enough then you will surely not be able to get all the benefits from it.
Make sure that the machine that you are getting provides upper body workout as well along with the lower body workout.
Experiment with intervals
Another great way of losing weight is by experimenting with intervals.
There are quite a few preset interval workouts which you can follow, along with that, you also have the liberty to try out different interval workouts for weight loss.
Usually, a 2:1 interval is followed, where there are a 30-second-high intensity workout and a 15 second recovery period, and a 60-second-high intensity workout and a 30 second recovery period.
Train your upper body as well
People usually think that the upper body is not really trained with elliptical as it mainly focuses on the lower body.
The upper body can be trained by using the arms for the pull and push motion of the hand levers.
You can reach your maximum fitness potential by training your upper body along with the lower body.
Don’ts of Elliptical
Don’t follow the exact same routine
Some people follow the exact same routine with elliptical and it may lead to the burning of fewer calories.
Make sure that you play around with the different features that the elliptical provides.
Whether it is the speed, resistance, or the incline, experiment with them to burn a greater number of calories each day.
Don’t exercise at high speed always
Some people have a misconception that exercising at the highest speed will provide them with the greatest benefits.
However, it is not true. People think that greater calories will be burnt by exercising at the highest speed people usually gain momentum and are not able to fully train the muscles. So, you will not be able to get the full impact of the exercise.
Don’t slouch, have a good posture
When working out with an elliptical, it is extremely important for you to have a good posture. If you slouch, or your body is not upright then you will certainly not be able to get the maximum benefits of the elliptical.
FAQ’s About Elliptical Machine
What is better, a treadmill or elliptical?
In terms of calorie burn, the treadmill burns greater calories as compared to the elliptical. However, the treadmill is not able to train muscles like the elliptical.
So, if you are someone that intends to burn calories, lose weight, and train and tone muscles then you should definitely opt for the elliptical.
Also, if you are someone who only focuses on burning calories then you can stick to the treadmill.
Make sure that you have a good diet along with the exercise to have the desired results.
Are ellipticals a good workout?
Yes, the elliptical exercise equipment is definitely a good workout, this is because they provide low impact workouts.
They are also forgiving to the joints and do not cause pain in the knees.
A lot of people complain that different exercise machines cause them pain but it cannot be said for the elliptical exercise machines.
Training muscles, having an upper-body workout along with a lower body workout is all possible with the help of the ellipticals.
The best part is that you can clearly see the results of the weight loss.
Is elliptical exercise equipment expensive?
Just like every other item that is available for sale in the market, the elliptical exercise equipment also comes at various prices. An elliptical exercise machine may range from $150 to $700.
Some of them maybe even more expensive than $700. If you are looking for an affordable one for home use then you will surely be able to find that as well.
Since there are so many options available, you may find one that suits your needs.
However, if you compare it with a rowing machine or other exercise equipment, the ellipticals are certainly cheaper.
Whether you are looking for one for your home gym or for professional use, you will be able to find them easily.
Is elliptical exercise equipment good for weight loss?
Yes, the elliptical exercise equipment is great for weight loss of different parts of the body.
If you want to get rid of the fats on the thighs or if you want to get rid of the belly fat, or if you intend to tone your arms, you will be able to do this all with the help of the elliptical as it is versatile and comes with various features which help you in achieving the desired goals.
Is the same exercise routine followed with elliptical every day?
No, if the same exact routine is followed every day, the number of calories burnt will decrease. This will lead to a decreased efficiency and you will not see the results that you desired.
So, you need to experiment with the routine that you will follow each day.
Try the interval workouts, experiment with the speed of the elliptical, try the medium and high speeds, also, experiment with the different features of the elliptical and you will be able to have a greater calorie burn as compared to what you would have following the same exact routine.
In how much time will you see a difference in weight?
This depends upon the body to body; some people may start showing the weight loss sooner than others and others may take time. It is a slow and gradual process and may take time.
So, you need to be patient with the workouts and you will surely see visible results with the workouts.
Verdict Line
Elliptical exercise equipment is a great way to start your daily workouts for fitness or weight loss.
The elliptical exercise equipment makes sure that you are able to train your upper body along with the lower body.
You can train specific leg muscles and you can even lose belly fat with this.
People who have an injury or have back pains or leg pains can even ensure their fitness with this exercise equipment is it doesn’t harm them and also provides a low-impact workout.
Whether you want to lose weight or maintain weight, or whether you want to ensure fitness, you can go ahead and have a good workout session with the elliptical.
Working out is my life. I love to help others see the potential of their bodies as they transform into their best selves.