Will an Elliptical Trainer help me tone my waist?

If you work out on an elliptical trainer to tone your waist, you are definitely on the right track to losing weight and toning up!

The real benefit of using such a machine is not to gain muscle mass, but rather to BURN OFF FAT.

Your abdominal muscles are working when you use an elliptical trainer, but it is the fat you burn off while exercising that will really help to reveal your curves!

HOW TO GET A TONED WAIST

Everyone has abdominal muscles, but there are two reasons why the waistline may not appear toned and slim:

1.  The abdominal muscles may not be very toned OR
2.  The abdominal muscles may be covered with layers of tummy fat.

If you want to have a slim waist and abdomen, you first need to shed body fat so that the muscles become visible.

 

Exercises like sit-ups or crunches will NOT get rid of the fat, though they can help strengthen the muscles beneath.

Elliptical trainers will help you burn fat and give results on your waistline.

Burning Calories and Fat on the Elliptical Trainer

The amount of calories you will burn on an elliptical trainer depends on a number of factors:

• The amount of intensity you put into your workout.
• How long you work out for.
• Your body-weight*.

*Someone who weighs 155 pounds will burn roughly 335 calories in a 30-minute workout.

An 180-pound individual can burn around 400 calories in that amount of time.

See this great guide from Harvard Medical School about the effect of body weight on calories burned:  Harvard Guide to Calorie Burn

Which Muscles will I use on the Elliptical Trainer?

The elliptical trainer acts as a cardiovascular workout first and foremost, but it also helps strengthen certain muscles while you burn calories.

You will use mainly your lower body including your hip flexors, quadriceps, and glutes.

If your elliptical trainer has arm levers, your arm muscles will most likely be in on the action as well since you have to push and pull.

 

Even your core muscles will work as you stabilize your body throughout the workout.

If you really want to tone your waist, combine elliptical trainer workouts with abdominal exercises like planks and crunches to get more muscle interaction in that region.

Which Elliptical Trainer do you recommend for Toning the Waist?

The main feature you should be looking for in an Elliptical is VARIABLE RESISTANCE so you can burn calories and shed fat by increasing the intensity levels.   Remember it is shedding the fat that reveals those glorious toned waistlines!

Secondly, if you choose one that has MOVEABLE ARM LEVERS, you will generally burn MORE CALORIES as the effort levels are distributed between upper and lower body.  This decreases the risk of tired muscles in one particular area – e.g. the thighs, and therefore helps you work harder and BURN MORE FAT!

There are a number of excellent elliptical trainers on the market. Here are a few recommended products to look over.

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine

This machine allows you to track your goals and export data to keep you on track with your fitness goals. The programs keep you challenged, even after you have used the machine for several months. And the resistance gives you a smooth and quiet workout every time.

Nautilus E614 Elliptical

If you want to tone your waist, it’s good to have entertainment while you are working out. This machine has acoustic chamber speakers for a big sound.  You can also keep an eye on your heart rate simply by holding the grip handles. With the USB port, you can export data to various fitness apps to keep an eye on your progress.

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine

If you are not the only one using the machine, this one gives you 4 different user settings so you can all keep track of your favorite levels and overall goals. WIih 25 resistance levels, it is easy to find something challenging for a beginner or a more seasoned user. Motivation is also not a challenge with the technology involved with this machine.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3609 Premium Portable Magnetic Elliptical Trainer

For those on a budget who also have space concerns, this machine is ideal. The anti-slip footpads and adjustable resistance levels help it fit into any lifestyle. With accurate readings and easy portability, the machine it simple to take advantage of anywhere.

ELLIPTICAL TRAINERS AND TONED ABDOMINALS

In Summary, using an Elliptical Trainer is an EXCELLENT way to tone the waist as it not only works the abdominal muscles, but it helps to burn fat and shed calories to help REVEAL those awesome toned muscles.    Choosing the right elliptical for you is a great step towards a healthy, slim, toned body to be proud of!