If you are looking for a quick and relatively easy workout routine that sees results without the need for multiple machines and sequences to keep track of, an elliptical may be just the thing for you. This machine can be utilized in many ways to help you meet a variety of personal fitness goals.
You can expect to burn 175-225 calories when working out on an elliptical for 30 minutes. If you use the elliptical for 30 minutes each day for 5 days a week, you can expect to lose between a pound to a pound and half per week. Results will vary based on the speed and difficulty of your workout.
Want to learn about different ways to maximize your elliptical use? Stick with us to learn about different weight loss results, benefits of the elliptical as a machine, and tips on how to make the most of your workout.
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How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight on Elliptical?
If you want to start using an elliptical but want to maximize your results, you’ll want to think about the duration and frequency of your elliptical use.
Is 30 Minutes a Day on the Elliptical Enough to Lose Weight?
Realistically, if you use the elliptical for half an hour a day, 5 days a week, you can expect to lose between a pound to a pound and a half each week. This will work best if you also cut around 500 calories out of your diet.
If you decide to increase your time to an hour a day (keep in mind, you’ll need to be cutting around 500 calories) you can lose about 2 pounds a week.
How Often Should I Use the Elliptical for Best Results?
The results above are based on someone working out 5 days a week, which is the ideal frequency for those looking to see results from the elliptical.
If you want to go 6 days a week, or even 7, go for it! Keep in mind, though, that a rest day or two can be quite beneficial so that you don’t feel burnt out and decide to skip multiple days.
Going less than 5 days a week will still be beneficial, but you cannot expect to see the same benefits as if you commit to that 5-times-a-week regimen.
Can You Get Toned Using an Elliptical?
Absolutely! Using an elliptical is a great, and dare we say surefire, way to build some tone in your body.
The machine itself can be used to target many parts of the body from top to bottom, including the core. Switching up your routine can help to avoid boredom but allow you to create some overall tone your body thanks to the type of movement an elliptical allows for.
Elliptical Weight Loss Results
If you’re wondering about the different results you may see from different elliptical uses, let’s compare:
First, we have the 30-Day Elliptical Challenge, which sees someone using an elliptical for 30 days in a row. Let’s use the example above about someone using the machine for 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
You’d expect to see weight loss of 4-6 pounds in that month.
If you continued this same regimen for 2 months, you may see slightly less weight loss (especially if your goal is to tone more so than to lose weight.) However, you would see an increased toning of your body.
As you can gather, 30 minutes on the elliptical 5 days a week can have significant effects on the body, especially if you adjust things like the endurance, your speed, and other settings.
Benefits of Using an Elliptical
The overall benefits of using an elliptical speak for themselves.
- You’ll see that you are building muscle and tone, especially in the legs and the core.
- The ability to reduce belly fat by using an elliptical. As you are doing cardio while on the machine, and targeting your core, you can certainly expect to burn some belly fat while toning your core muscles, as well.
- Further, this supports your posture and creates better habits when it comes to the way you carry yourself, thanks to the nature of your movement on the elliptical and the targeting of those muscles.
Are Ellipticals Good for Losing Belly Fat?
Yes! Ellipticals are great for losing belly fat as you are working on your core, and the elliptical can also help you tone your muscles.
So, you can target multiple different body parts successfully with this type of machine.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Elliptical Workout
If you’re looking to make the most out of your elliptical routine, you can try the following:
- HIIT Training: this high intensity interval training has you working out in quick but intense bursts which are great for fat-burning and toning. When paired with an elliptical, you can see some quick and effective results.
- LIIT Workouts: on the other side of things, you can do a low intensity interval workout for a workout that is still challenging but focuses more on providing a balanced, full body workout. This will help you target specific muscles, as well.
- Warm Up & Cool Down: if you are opting for floorwork, weightlifting, or another main workout session, the elliptical is a great way to get your heart rate up or to cool down afterward.
- Improved Nutrition: by improving your nutrition you will be ensuring that any workout routine you follow gives better results.
Treadmill vs. Elliptical
It truly depends on what your personal goals and needs are, but treadmills versus ellipticals is a common debate.
You can control your speed on a treadmill though it is going to be harder on your knees.
With an elliptical, your knees are going to be a bit more protected thanks to the circular (or elliptical) movement you’ll be going in. You can also control the speed at which you move and have a bit more mobility in your hips.
| Treadmill | Elliptical |
|---|---|
| Helps muscle growth | Can help with fitness after an injury |
| More stress on bones and joints | Gentler on joints |
| Works fewer muscle groups | Works many muscle groups |
| Lower body workout | Upper and lower body workout |
| Great cardio workout | Great cardio workout |
Top Rated Ellipticals
Looking for some suggestions? Here are a few of the top-rated ellipticals:
Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical
The Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical has 22 different preset workout programs, a dual-track LCD screen, and 20 resistance levels.
Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical
The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical boasts an optional, exclusive app, a performance monitor, multiple resistance settings, and 24 workout modes. Plus, the price is significantly lower than the Schwinn.
Nautilus e618
Finally, the Nautilus e618 has 29 programs, Bluetooth connectivity, and 10 different incline settings.
Useful Elliptical Accessories
Let’s talk about a few accessories that are useful when it comes to training on an elliptical.
1. Heart Rate Monitor
The first of the elliptical accessories that you may want to purchase can also be used in your daily life if you’re ever curious or have a reason to track your heart rate.
You can purchase a fitness tracker like the Amazfit Band which will track not only your heart rate but also your blood oxygen level, has sleep and stress monitoring, and has a 15-day battery life.
On top of all of that, it is water resistant so that there is no concern of sweat getting in the way.
2. Tablet Holder
This is another essential when it comes to daily elliptical use. You’ll be able to use the Gooseneck Tablet Mount by Woleyi to watch TV, read, get some work done, or put on a background that makes it feel like you are on a trail run and not in your spare room. It’s up to you, really.
3. Equipment Mat
What is this for, you may ask?
An equipment mat is something that you’ll put under your elliptical, treadmill, or other workout machine to help protect your flooring and keep the machine from slipping.
LM BODYCARE has an exercise equipment mat that is affordable, easy to clean, multifunctional, and can be rolled up for easy transportation if you ever need to move it.