Anyone who has ever stepped onto an elliptical knows that it’s a good workout for the whole body. Lots of people want to learn how to lose weight on an elliptical machine and if it’s possible to develop an elliptical weight-loss plan.
The basic key to weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. To start out, the first steps will be calculating the daily intake of calories and the amount of exercise needed to lose weight.
Are ellipticals good for weight loss?
There is a formula that estimates the number of calories burned on an elliptical machine during a 30-minute workout, based on weight. The approximate number of calories someone burns while exercising for 30 minutes on an elliptical is their weight in pounds multiplied by 2.16.
Remember that this is just an estimate. Each person exercises at a different level of intensity, and it’s impossible to determine an exact amount of calories that will be burned while doing this type of exercise.
The average daily caloric intake for a moderately active 26-year-old woman is 2,600 calories (to maintain their weight). Estimating a weight of about 150 pounds, a 60-minute workout would burn about 650 calories. Adding in any other activities, such as steps taken or flights of stairs climbed throughout the day, ellipticals for weight loss may be a viable option.
Benefits of cardio training
One of the biggest benefits of using an elliptical for weight loss is that it can incorporate cardio training into a workout routine. According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in order to attain the most health benefits from physical activity, adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes each week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking or fast dancing. Adults also need muscle-strengthening activity, like lifting weights or doing push-ups, at least two days a week.
An elliptical weight-loss plan can accomplish both of these suggested tasks.
Studies have also shown that these forms of exercise can improve creativity in children; improve sleep, energy levels, hormonal balance, sexual function, and mental status in adults; increase blood flow to the areas of the brain that are responsible for cognitive functions (in all ages); and decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.