How Do Fitness Gliders Work You?
Fitness gliders come in a large range of designs and have certain similarities. Fitness gliders are meant to be aerobic exercise machines that limit or remove the impact from the exercise. Fitness gliders also boast the ability to be used by most people of all different skill and fitness levels. Most fitness gliders are used to work the abdominal muscles, although some are designed to work the legs and the glutes.
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General Design
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Most fitness gliders are designed for the user to either sit or kneel. There is a track that allows for almost free movement on the machine. The resistance often comes in the form of controlling the movements and changing directions. Some fitness gliders provide weights or bands that add resistance to the movement. Most fitness gliders have handles on them that provide a safe and easy way to hold on and control the movements of the machine and body.
Resistance Training
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According to Terri Andrews, a personal trainer, fitness gliders work the muscles using resistance training. This is done by forcing the body to resist the movements in one direction or another in an alternating format. In addition, the body is forced to support itself as it holds a position. This support and resisted movements help to tone muscles and provide a solid workout for the person. Those fitness gliders that allow for the addition of weights or bands can provide more resistance than the body working against itself can provide. These often allow the person to continue to use the machine longer and obtain results faster.
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Toning Vs. Body Building
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Fitness gliders may not be the the best fitness equipment on the market for body builders. The fitness gliders often do not provide enough resistance to produce large bulky muscles. These machines are better suited to toning muscles and reducing body fat ratios. Body builders may find success in the sculpting of the muscles, but will need to use additional machinery to create larger and bulkier muscles.
Importance of Dieting
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Terri Andrews, a personal trainer, says use of a fitness glider alone is a good way to begin a healthy lifestyle. However, only through the use of a healthy diet as well as exercise will a person realize his or her fitness goals. A person should follow a diet that is limited in calories and fat but has a high frequency of meals. The high frequency of meals will help to keep the metabolism up and the low calories and fat will help to keep the calorie balance at a negative. Only through negative calorie intake can a person expect to lose weight and keep it off.
Consult a Doctor
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Before starting any exercise and diet program, consult a medical professional. A medical professional can build an effective and safe diet for the person to follow, and will conduct a physical exam to determine the likelihood of an injury or if exercise is safe for the person. People with high blood pressure or heart conditions may be instructed to use low intensity exercises at first. Exercise or a sudden shift in diet can alter the effectiveness of certain medications.
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References
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