About Manual Elliptical Exercise Machines
Manual elliptical exercise machines (sometimes also called cross-trainers) are one of the most common pieces of gym equipment today. They are designed specifically to minimize the stress on muscles and bones while mimicking the movements of running or jogging.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
Larry P. Miller got the idea from filming his daughter running alongside of his car. Invented by Larry P. Miller for Precor in the 1990s, the first elliptical hit the market to work out only the lower body while providing a stationary handle for the upper body for balance. The innovation of including an upper component to copy the motion of the arms while running came a bit later, thanks to demand from exercise buffs.
Features
-
Not all ellipticals will accomodate different stride lengths. Drive System - A front drive system is found on less expensive systems and tends to be jerky and rough. A rear drive system is more common, smoother and more expensive.
Resistance System - This can be either a hand-operated or a motorized breaking system for manual ellipticals.
Stride Length - The lower-end the elliptical, the less likely the stride can be changed.
-
Benefits
-
The joints will feel less strained on an elliptical. Manual elliptical exercise machines are low-impact, allow less perceived exertion and mimic the natural movements of the body during jogging or running without as much stress on the joints.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit homme qui fait son jogging image by bacalao from Fotolia.com woman runner in crayon image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com Jogging image by UFO73370 from Fotolia.com squelette image by photlook from Fotolia.com
