The past decade has seen a surge in the popularity of the elliptical trainer. In fact,
it shares a neck-to-neck reputation with another gym favourite, the exercise treadmill.  The elliptical trainer is projected to overshoot the treadmill in terms of sales very soon, since apart from being a lot like the treadmill, an elliptical trainer brings on the added plus factor of reducing impact in your exercise workouts.

The aging baby boomer generation is the most avid clientele of the elliptical trainer. Members of this age group have a growing concern over safety and risk factors in an exercise machine. They have found the elliptical trainer to be the best equipment offering the benefit of low-impact workouts, which is very important for people age 40 and above.

One fantastic elliptical trainer model is the Schwinn 431 which comes from the same manufacturer of world-renowned Schwinn bikes. The Schwinn 431 elliptical trainer reduces stress and strain on the leg muscles by providing a fluid workout done in an elliptical motion. Unlike running on a treadmill which can cause a landing impact of more than twice your weight, elliptical workouts eliminate the jolts on the knees and ankles, exposing you to lesser risks of running related injuries.  Since exercises are done in an elliptical motion, the movement mimics the natural angles of the knee, hip and joints when you walk or run, so there’s lesser strain on the legs and back while you work out.

The Schwinn 431 Elliptical is also equipped with articulating foot pedals which conform to the angle of your distinct stride. So your feet never have to leave the pedal since the latter adjust to your movement, creating virtually zero impact on your leg joints and muscles.  The natural stride motion also provides some form of weight-bearing exercise, which is essential to muscle fitness and even works to restrain the onset of various bone related issues such as osteoporosis.

The Schwinn 431 Elliptical combines upper and lower body workout to stimulate many muscles groups like no other exercise machine can.  That’s the reason why it is sometimes referred to as the cross-trainer since it works up the most number of muscle groups in the body.  In effect, energy expenditure is optimized so you can burn more calories, work out your cardiovascular health and maintain your ideal body weight in less time. It is also believed that an elliptical reduces your perceived notion of exertion in an exercise routine. You get to think you’re not exerting much effort, but actually you are getting a total workout masked by the fluidity of its motion. It’s a great way to keep fit, lose or maintain weight and keep a healthy heart without the drained-out feel!