How to use and elliptical trainer most effectively
Stick your butt out, sit back a little, back straight, shoulders back. Getting your posture right on an elliptical machine is important to getting the most effective workout possible. It is more difficult for some but eventually it starts to feel more natural.
The key is to make sure you are not hunched over. Keep your back straight and upright with your shoulders pulled back. Remember the good posture you mom has always nagged you about? Strive for that.
You don't want to bounce around to much either. Keep your butt out like you are about to take a seat and try not to move, bounce or sway your upper body too much. Of course if you are using moving upper body handle bars your upper body will be moving but you want to keep you core from bouncing up and down or from rocking back and forth.
Keep in mind that a good elliptical trainer will be constructed in such a way to help you maintain proper elliptical body posture during your exercise. You don't want to feel like you are leaning forward to reach for handle bars. Some of the cheaper ellipticals may encourage bad posture and an uncomfortable workout because of poor ergonomic design.
Working out on an elliptical machine is easy and fun, but it shouldn't be so easy that you don't work up a sweat and don't feel a little pain. If you are bouncing all around and hunching over, you are making the workout too easy for yourself.
Don't worry if you feel like you're ready to end your workout immediately after modifying to the correct elliptical posture. Usually if you just get through the first 5-10 minutes you'll be surprised how long you can stay on. And don't forget to maintain proper elliptical body posture throughout your entire workout, warm up and cool down. You'll find yourself slacking on posture from time to time so just correct yourself when you notice it and keep moving.
How you use an elliptical machine and maintaining appropriate posture is the key to avoiding injury and getting the most intense and rewarding workout.
