An Elliptical Routine: Tips to Trim Your Fat Without Crunches

An elliptical routine is becoming more and more popular these days for people with all sorts of fitness goals - building muscle, losing weight, or just firming up. How much can an elliptical machine really help you to trim your fat? The answer may surprise you.

The truth is that many people choose the elliptical because it looks easier and more fun than running on a treadmill or pedaling through an exercise bike. Actually, whether it is "easier" or not, the elliptical is a popular choice because of the benefits it can have relieving pressure on joints including your knees and ankles. The smooth motion of an elliptical routine creates flowing transitions between your muscle groups. Before you go step onto your nearest elliptical, finish reading this article to find out the best methods to trim your fat - by using an elliptical routine as a focus of every workout.

If you have tried to trim your fat using the usual methods (sit ups, crunches, biking, running, etc.) you may be frustrated by your results. These exercises can be very beneficial - if you do them correctly. If you are looking to strictly lose weight, you can stop your crunches and sit ups right now. These remain still some of the most effective workouts for building muscle but they actually do very little to burn fat. If you engage in regular cardio such as biking, running, swimming, walking, or even the elliptical there is a very good chance you are not maximizing your time to trim your fat efficiently.

Most of us - myself in the past included - begin our cardio slowly and once we get to our comfort level we remain at that pace for however long we decide to go whether it is five minutes or two hours. This is NOT the best way to trim fat. The answer lies in interval cardio training. Interval training can be done in any cardio workout, but make it a part of your elliptical routine!

Interval training consists of going at maximum effort for 30-60 seconds and then reverting to moderate effort for a recovery period of 45-60 seconds and repeating. This is proven as the best method to trim your fat and can be done on the elliptical. Next time you are in the middle of your elliptical routine, try this method.

As you get going, increase the machine level higher and higher. Your maximum efforts should be anywhere from around 80-100 RPM and then reverting back to about 65-75 RPM. Do not be afraid to make yourself sweat and work! It will be hard at first, but you really will see results. You will feel the burn in your legs, arms, and lungs but you are also building muscle and trimming fat much more effectively.

You may have heard the myth that cardio is not worth doing unless you do it for 30 minutes or more. While 30 minutes is obviously better than 5 minutes, if you make your body work all cardio can be effective. I personally love an elliptical routine for cardio work - from warm ups and warm downs to using it as my main form of cardio. For those with bad knees, backs, or other inhibiting ailments it can be additionally beneficial. You can trim your fat with an elliptical routine if you know what you are doing - and now you do! Make your elliptical routine work for you, trim your fat, and keep on improving!

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