I’ve worked out my whole life, but my interest for it really sparked when I was 19. Like most 19 year olds, I thought I knew everything. I hadn’t been a personal trainer for more than a few months, but I was certain I knew everything I needed to know.
I hated and despised some things in fitness, and loved others. I thought pieces of cardio equipment were a complete waste of time. Especially ellipticals. Ellipticals were for those that “couldn’t handle” other forms of exercise. They were for women, too. I thought men should never be seen on an elliptical.
Thankfully over time, I learned that I didn't know everything, I don’t know everything now, and I’ll never get to a point where I know everything. I also learned that the elliptical can be a great piece of equipment, and it’s most definitely not only for women.
Here are some of the benefits to the Precor 225 elliptical, one of the best ellipticals in 2021.
BENEFIT #1: LOW BARRIER TO ENTRY
As I spent more and more time in the industry working with people from all walks of life, I was quickly slapped in the face with the realization that the elliptical is a great piece of equipment for the same reason I used to make fun of it. It’s a great starting place for those that don’t have much experience with formal exercise in a gym setting.
The foot pedals and handles move on their own track, so there is very little technique or skill required to start. And as much as I promote resistance training, I would much rather have someone start exercising on the elliptical, than continue to live a sedentary life because they’re too scared to use weights.
Movement is movement, and movement is good.
BENEFIT #2: MANY MUSCLES WORKED
Speaking of resistance training, the elliptical does fit into this category, technically. Your arms and legs have to work against a resistance that the machine is applying. Does this mean that you’ll get the same results using an elliptical than you would with weights? Absolutely not. But it does mean that you’re getting a little extra something.
If you recruit your body to work properly while using the Precor 225 elliptical, you’ll be able to work many muscle groups throughout your entire body like your quads, hamstrings, glutes, biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest, and back.
Again, this is no substitution for traditional resistance training with weights, but it’s still more activation than you’ll get going for a stroll.
BENEFIT #3: LOW IMPACT
Whenever you have an injury, or source of pain, I recommend you address it so that you can one day do the things that bother it, rather than ignoring what bothers it while ignoring the necessary measures to heal it.
For example, people message me about what exercises they can do instead of squats and lunges because it bothers their knees. My response is always the same. Check your form, and if it’s not your form, work with a professional to find out why that pain is there and what you can do to get rid of it, that way you can do squats and lunges.
Rehabbing an injury and performing physical therapy can be a challenge, because the therapist may tell you to avoid high impact movement, and/or avoid a lot of pressure, weight, and strain on your joints.
And that’s where the elliptical comes in. The elliptical is so low impact, that nearly anyone can use it, even while working someone through some pains and injuries. It’s safe, allowing you to get your exercise in and treat your body well. If you’re trying to determine the best elliptical of 2021, contact your local Push Pedal Pull and ask about the Precor 225 elliptical.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam is a fitness professional, baseball fan, and cookie fanatic based in Fort Collins, Colorado. After hanging up the cleats, he found a strong interest in the human body and how it performs. Since then, Adam has been transforming lives through fitness in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. As an ACE CPT and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, he is constantly moved to help people improve in all walks of life.