Elliptical trainers have become very popular in healthclubs all over the country in recent years. They also have a growing popularity as the preferred piece if home fitness equipment. You may be wondering if an elliptical helps cardio fitness. Here will explore its benefits in this respect.

Home fitness equipment can broadly be divided into two types. Resistance equipment that can help build muscle strength and cardiovascular (cardio) equipment that can help improve stamina and endurance. Resistance equipment is typically weights and weights machines. Cardio equipment includes treadmills, rowing machines and of course the elliptical trainer.

The elliptical can be a great way to increase cardio fitness for several reasons. Because you are working out the arms at the same time as the legs you are using more muscle groups. This means that the heart has to work harder to supply the oxygen hungry muscles of the arms. This is a benefit over treadmills, which primarily work out the legs.

Most people find that using an elliptical machine is also more enjoyable then a treadmill. Some complain that using a treadmill to improve your fitness is simply a bit boring. An elliptical also has a variety of inbuilt programs that can further add to the variety that it offers.

It is a good idea to chart your progress when you are using an elliptical trainer. You can make a record card to measure your resting heart rate (RHR) and the type of exercise that you have performed. You should record the distance covered (if your elliptical allows this measurement) and the time spent. One of the measures of cardio fitness is the length of time that it takes for your heart to return to normal resting heart rate after exertion. You can also record this figure at regular intervals. As time goes by, you should be aiming for a lower RHR and quicker return to RHR after exercise.