Elliptical Workout vs. Treadmill Workout

An elliptical workout differs from a treadmill workout in a few ways. Both will give you an aerobic workout but an elliptical trainer will work different muscle groups than a treadmill.

While both are excellent choices, they do have distinct differences. By knowing the difference, you can decide if an elliptical workout, the treadmill workout or even a combination of both works best for you.

Elliptical workout

When comparing an elliptical workout to a treadmill workout the first thing you will notice is the elliptical trainer has much less impact. This low impact is especially good for people with joint, knee, lower back or hip problems.

An elliptical workout also works the upper and lower body simultaneously which makes your heart rate climb faster than with a treadmill workout. The elliptical trainer works your legs, back, shoulders, chest and your arms making it a total body workout.

Another great feature of an elliptical workout is you can add variety by pedaling backwards. This backward pedaling motion targets your lower body quadricep muscles.

treadmill workout

A treadmill workout can also give you an excellent aerobic workout and a lot of people still prefer it to an elliptical workout. If you prefer to run, jog or walk to exercise it's obviously a smarter choice.

If you are just beginning to workout or just don't want a total body workout a treadmill workout might be perfect. Most treadmills offer a different intensity level that you can increase as you get more fit.

A treadmill workout provides a different variety over an elliptical workout by allowing you to run, jog or walk on an incline. While it is a less intense workout, it is a great way to burn fat while promoting good cardiovascular health.

Even though treadmills remain the number one piece of fitness equipment sold today, elliptical trainers are quickly becoming very popular. With more and more health clubs adding more elliptical trainer machines, more people will try elliptical workouts.

Both elliptical workouts and treadmill workouts will build bone density, burn fat, promote good cardiovascular health and increase your energy level. The important thing is to workout on a regular basis whether it's at home or in a gym.

If you are looking to purchase a treadmill or an elliptical trainer, the bottom line is, you usually get what you pay for. There are great values especially online but it just makes sense to get quality equipment that will last.

Whether you prefer a treadmill workout or an elliptical workout choose the one that you feel is right for you. That way you will work out more often, lose more weight and be much healthier.

Copyright 2005 treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.

Gary Gresham is the webmaster for http://www.treadmill-info.com where you can find valuable information including ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more treadmill and fitness related articles go to: http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html

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Desktop Rhythm - Dance, Rhythm and Variety for Daytime Energy

The everyday work that we do, whether in an office, working around the house, or in any setting, is like a dance: both working and dancing have rhythm, movement and flow. working in an office, like physical exercise, can tire us. However, we can use a few simple movement ideas from the art of dancing to stay fresh and energized.

Fatigue at a desk

Have you ever thought, Ive been sitting at a desk all day. I havent been exercising hard. Why am I so tired?

Part of the reason is that sitting at a desk or working on a computer often results in a posture that impedes proper breathing. People can unconsciously develop poor posture habits that contribute to fatigue. Sitting in a concentrated posture with the head craned forward, slumped shoulders, and rounded back results in less oxygen intake than healthy posture with the head and shoulders in alignment.

Another cause of fatigue is focusing our thoughts too long on one task. This is similar to the effect of repeating a physical exercise all day. Thoughts have speed, strength, direction and flow, just as exercise does. Although physical activity may be minimal, focusing too long on one mental task is tiring. Shifting positions and varying activities can help.

Balanced movements

Breaks and short naps are helpful, but resting alone doesnt always remedy fatigue during the workday. Pioneer movement analyst and researcher Rudolph Laban discovered that balance in body movements is important. He believed that if work required movements twisting to the right, then twisting to the left should be included to create balance. Dancers and athletes do this in their training routines, in order to develop muscle symmetry in the body; likewise, workers are also influencing the development of their muscles with their daily routines.

Rhythmic variety and dynamic contrast

Walking, typing, speaking and meetings all have rhythms and are part of a typical office workday. For example, some meetings run with the steady rhythm of a fixed agenda, and others flow like a meandering stream with a flexible agenda. Varying rhythms during the day enhances productivity at work and helps us stay energized.

Just as it is fatiguing to listen to words spoken in a monotone, work done in a monotone mannerfor example, at a fast tempo all day longis fatiguing. Variety, balance and contrast make work more interesting, and help us stay productive. Just as dancing involves rhythm and movement, along with a variety of fast, medium and slow tempos, job satisfaction is related to rhythm and work flow.

Repeating the same physical movements too many times creates mental and physical fatigue; this can happen at work or in an exercise class. A dance instructor who spent three hours rehearsing a single step created mental and physical exhaustion for the students in that class. An office worker who spent three hours at a desk working on one paragraph in a business letter felt similar mental and physical fatigue. Creating variety during work and exercise helps avoid this.

Individual rhythms

Every individual has a natural rhythm, which is expressed when walking, talking and working. For example, some people prefer to walk briskly, while others prefer to be leisurely. A person whose natural rhythm tends to be slow and thoughtful is likely to feel uncomfortable in a setting demanding fast and habitual movementsfor example, in a job working under demanding deadlines and rushing to meet tight schedules for a repetitive task. A person in a job which matches their natural rhythm is more likely to be satisfied with their work.

group rhythms

Many retail businesses, doctors offices, and restaurants play music in the background as part of the setting for their work. While this is often intended to make the setting more comfortable and friendly for customers, it also creates a background rhythm for the employees. Fast paced music is used in some retail settings to encourage customers to be quick about their selections and purchases; the employees also respond to the music and to the customers rhythm. Other settings, such as dental offices, play slow, relaxing music to encourage customers to relax.

Dancing through a workday

Dance is a beautiful example of how rhythmic variety, dynamic contrast, and balanced movements help us recuperate. Dance and exercise classes involve balanced movements: exercises for the right leg must be repeated for the left leg; steps done traveling across the floor to the right must be repeated traveling left. Using variety also keeps movements interesting and energizing.

Dance and exercise classes add variety to our movement repertoire and challenge us with physically demanding movements. While this is arduous at first, stamina increases with regular sessions. A dance or exercise class also helps with developing balance, rhythm and variety, which help us stay fresh and energized.

Ideas for creating variety and minimizing fatigue during the workday:

* Be aware of your posture at work; sit upright, not slumped. If you need help developing good posture, consider attending an Alexander Technique class or yoga class.

* Hand massage and hand exercises help maintain flexibility, and are especially important for people who use a computer keyboard for long periods of time.

* Shutting and relaxing the eyes periodically helps prevent eyestrain.

* Tempo and movement changes create rhythmic variety, balance and contrast.

* Taking the stairs, instead of an elevator, burns more calories and is a form of exercise for some office workers.

* If your employer offers exercise facilities, take advantage of these to get physical variety into your workday.

Ramona is the author of Dynamic Belly Dance, the Joyful Journey of Dancemaking and Performing. See free belly dance videos, read book excerpts and order an autographed copy at http://www.DynamicBellyDance.com

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article, give author name credit and follow the EzineArticles terms of service for publishers. Thank you!

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