At Proform-Coupons.com we not only want to make sure you are getting the best deals when it comes to purchasing your Proform exercise equipment, but we also want to make sure you are getting the most from your exercise equipment when it matters most, during your workouts!
How many of you used any of our tips and advice yesterday to go for a run in spirit of National Running Day?! Well if running is not your first cardio choice, be sure to check out these great tips from our amazing guest blogger Anderson on how to make the most of your elliptical workout. Also make sure to check out her blog Eat Simly, Live Healthy for all your latest health advice tips and advice!
How to Make the Most of Your Elliptical Workout
I am so honored and excited to be featured as a guest blogger! Like me, Jentry has been a fellow fitness nut and spokeswoman for healthy living. She has been a huge supporter of my blog (www.eatsimplylivehealthy.com) in which I’ve been so grateful! Thanks Jentry, it’s been great getting to know someone whose passions mimic my own. XOXO
When used correctly, the elliptical can be a beastly workout and quickly heighten your pulse to reach your maximum cardio heart rate. It’s an all-in-one device: it’s easy on the joints, goes forward and backwards and offers a full arm workout all at the same time. This machine means business and isn’t for the faint-hearted. The elliptical is also a great machine for focusing and toning specific muscle groups. It can help reach any fitness goal all depending on how you utilize its capabilities. Here are some tips I learned from Fitsugar.com on how to make the most of your precious elliptical minutes.
You want an intense cardio workout: Today you’re in beast mode and you’re ready to work it. As you start striding, keep your eye on the strides per minute (SPM). After a brisk five minute warm-up, aim to keep your SPM between 140 – 160 and over 160 if doing interval sprints. Mix up going forward and backwards to focus on specific muscle groups and increase the cross ramp and resistance to reach a cardio burning heart rate (I aim to keep mine between 165 and 175 when I really want to push myself). I always get a great workout when I maximize the cross ramp and increase the resistance to level 8 or higher.
You want to tone your legs: You’re looking to tone rather than work cardio. Remember your feet are critical to toning, pressing more with your heels will work your buns and hamstrings whereas pressing with your toes will activate your quads. Also, going backwards will tone your hamstrings and butt. I like mixing up 5 minutes of pedaling forward followed by 5 minutes of backward striding.
You’re short on time: Use your arms and legs with equal exertion. Using both will help maximize your heart rate in the few free minutes that you have and give you a full body workout. If my gym time is limited, I make sure I’m hoofin’ it. If you have a heart rate monitor, keep track of your HR and make sure you’re pushing yourself.
You want to work your abs: Look ma, no hands! Go hands free to challenge your balance. This automatically works your core and you can place your hands on your hips to keep your posture (and look fierce).
You want buns of steel: Utilize that incline! Try inclining intervals, increasing the angle for two to three minutes followed by a similar interval with a lower incline.
Anderson is a health and fitness enthusiast and creator of Eat Simply. Live Healthy, a blog that focuses on all aspects of living well. Anderson does not have any professional experience in either field but enjoys sharing her experiences and passions with others.
