Complete Guide To Elliptical Workout For Seniors

Elliptical Workout Benefits For Seniors

Here are 11 benefits of using an elliptical machine for seniors.

1. Improve Balance and Reduce Risk of Falling

If you have a hard time maintaining your balance, using an elliptical machine may help you maintain your stability while exercising. This is because you’re constantly moving from side to side as well as forward and backward on the equipment. However, seniors should not use this piece of equipment if they have a hard time standing or maintaining their balance.

2. Strengthen Muscles

Using an elliptical machine for seniors will strengthen the muscles in your lower body such as those found in your calves and thighs. This is because you’re using these muscle groups to keep the pedals moving at a steady pace. As we age, our muscles naturally begin to weaken, so by using an elliptical machine, you can prevent this from happening too quickly.

3. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Using an elliptical machine will allow you to improve your cardiovascular health as well. This is because the process of using one requires you to have a steady pace so your heart rate will remain elevated throughout most of the exercise session.

4. Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

One of the biggest problems among seniors today is heart disease, which can lead to serious health risks if not treated in time. Fortunately, one way you can reduce your risk so you don’t develop this condition is by exercising regularly. While there are other types of equipment that may be used for cardiovascular exercises, using an elliptical machine can be beneficial in the long run.

5. Improve Blood Circulation

Another way you can improve your health with this type of exercise is by improving blood circulation throughout the body. This is because while exercising on one of these machines, your legs are raised to a 90-degree angle while you stand. Because of this, your legs will get a good workout while the rest of the muscles in your body will get some benefits as well.

6. Help Prevent Osteoporosis

By strengthening your bones and improving your balance and stability, you can prevent osteoporosis from occurring too quickly. This is because these conditions are closely related and by taking steps to improve one, you can prevent the other from happening.

7. Help Control Blood Sugar

For seniors who have type 2 diabetes, using an elliptical machine can help increase insulin production within your body. By doing this, you’ll be able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels without any problems or complications.

8. Improve Flexibility

When you first start working out on an elliptical machine, your flexibility may be limited because you’re not used to the motions needed for this type of exercise. However, by using it regularly, you’ll see that you’ll become more flexible over time and be able to work through a wider range of motion with ease.

9. Burn Calories

Everyone knows that the more calories you burn during your workout, the faster you’ll lose weight. Unfortunately, women are at a higher risk for obesity because of this loss in extra body fat. By using an elliptical machine, seniors can help reduce their overall body fat percentage and improve overall health without any problems.

10. Improve Self-Esteem

Many women say that the elliptical machine is one of the best ways they can improve their self-esteem by helping them lose weight at a faster rate. It’s important to note, however, that it takes more than just using this type of equipment regularly to lose weight and maintain overall health.

11. Improve Bone Density

While most women are aware that they can improve their bone density by working out, not many know that one of the best ways to do this is by using an elliptical machine regularly. By raising your legs to a 90-degree angle, you allow your bones to get stronger and build up more easily.

Elliptical Workout Plan For Seniors

Adjusting The Resistance

As you do your workout, be sure to monitor how much resistance your arms are getting. Some ellipticals don’t have the kind of tension control that allows you to adjust this. But if yours does, make sure it’s on a low setting at first and then increase it as needed.

Gradually Increase Your Workout

Start with a short workout of 5 minutes on the elliptical. Focus on increasing your heart rate for this time frame. At first, it’ll be hard to do, but you want to start slowly so that you don’t get injured or have some other kind of setback that might keep you from doing any physical activity at all. As you get better, increase your time by 5 minutes each day.

Keep Your Hands Off The Handles At First

When the elliptical has handles, it can be tempting to hold on with both hands during your workout. And this is something that might even happen without you realizing it. Start by doing your workout with one hand and then switch to using two.

You can also adjust the height of the armrests on your elliptical machine. Make sure that they are at an appropriate level for you so that you’re not straining to reach them or too far below what would be comfortable for you to use. Pay attention to how this change affects your workout and see if you can get a similar workout using either one.

Standing, Sitting, Or Lying Down

It’s also important to realize that you have the option of doing your elliptical workout for seniors while standing, sitting, or lying down. Either way, it’ll give you a great cardio workout and strengthen your heart and lungs. But you might find that one position is more comfortable for you than the others.

If you feel weak, standing might not be a good option because it can give you less stability. You don’t want to risk injury by tumbling to the floor while trying to use the machine. That’s why lying down on your back can be a better choice, since all of the work is being done for you.

If you are feeling steady, then standing might be best for your elliptical workout for seniors. But make sure that the machine is completely stable before you start in this position. It’s not worth it to risk an injury when all you were trying to do was get in a good workout. When you’re doing your workout, try to use a variety of positions so that you get the most out of the machine.

Consider Watching Television While You Work Out

You can also keep yourself occupied as you do your elliptical workout for seniors by watching television or listening to music. It’s a great way to make sure that you stay focused on your workout and don’t get bored with it.

Many seniors enjoy watching their favorite shows while they work out, so it’s a good idea to have a TV show ready to go before you even begin your workout. You can choose something that will motivate you or something that will keep your mind off the effort you’re putting into the elliptical machine.