Essential Elliptical Trainer Accessories
by Rich
Rojas
zone3
You’ve purchased your new elliptical trainer. You’ve assembled it, made
the commitment to train on it 4 times a week for 30 minutes, and you’ve
even purchased the latest pair of high-tech cross training shoes.
Congratulations! You’re well on your way to attaining a new level of
health and fitness. But let’s be sure that you’re not forgetting anything
that could enhance your elliptical training experience.
There are many training accessories that we often take for granted when
working out at a health club: things such as TVs, piped-in music, water
bottle holders, book and magazine racks, heart rate monitors, and the list
goes on. It’s often a different story when setting up an elliptical
trainer in your home.
Below is a list of accessories to consider to enhance your elliptical
training:
* Magazine and bookracks -- many elliptical trainers come with a
built-in bookrack. However, this may be nothing more than a small ledge on
the console that is not capable of holding more that a few sheets of
paper. There is a large variety of bookracks to choose from that slip over
the elliptical console and can hold even the largest of hardback
novels.
* Hydration-Pak -- Some elliptical trainers are fitted with a
water bottle holder, but the location may be awkward to access. Nathan has
an ingenious concept called a Hydration-Pak. It is essentially a fanny
pack that holds a water bottle and also has pockets for an MP3 player and
nutrition bottle. All within easy reach during your elliptical
workout.
* Heart Rate Monitor -- Again, many elliptical trainers come
equipped with a heart rate monitor. There are two basic kinds –- a
wireless chest strap variety and ones that are built-in to the handle
grips. The wireless models tend to be more accurate. If your elliptical
trainer is Polar-compatible you can purchase a third party
Polar-compatible heart rate monitor and it will work with your elliptical.
This is great for ellipticals that use the heart rate monitor to control
resistance.
* MP3 Player -- if you like to workout to music and you don’t
want to disturb the rest of your household, then this is the way to
go.
* Weight Set -- an elliptical trainer is primarily a cardio
training device. Sure, you can tone up your arms and legs, but it’s an
aerobic exercise whereas muscle building is anaerobic. For a very small
investment, you can purchase an adjustable weight bench and a pair of
adjustable dumbbells and add weight training to your exercise program.
This will not only buff up your physique, but will greatly assist you in
fat burning since lean muscle burns more calories while at rest.
* Training Log -- it’s easy to get complacent about your
exercise routine. Don’t just go through the motions each time you workout
by doing the same pace at the same resistance level for the same amount of
time. It should be progressive and the best way to achieve this is to
record your training sessions in an exercise training diary. Download a free exercise training diary and use it to keep
both your elliptical and weight training programs on track.
You may not need every elliptical trainer accessory in the list, but
use it as a starting point and recheck it periodically as you advance in
your elliptical training routine. You may find that some of the items
begin to look a little more essential.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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