Wondering if a seated elliptical is right for you? This quick guide will help you decide!

What is a seated elliptical?

A seated elliptical is a piece of exercise equipment which allows you to work out your lower body muscles by rotating pedals. It’s similar to a standard elliptical machine, also known as a cross-trainer, which you may have seen at the gym. The big difference is that with a regular elliptical you work out standing up, while with a seated elliptical you take a seated position.

What are the benefits of seated ellipticals?

They can help you tone your muscles and burn calories.

Seated ellipticals help you activate      your body’s muscles – namely your leg muscles, glutes, and core. Strengthening these muscles can help improve your balance, which is key to reducing      falls. Seated ellipticals can also provide an aerobic workout, which aims to strengthen      your heart and lungs, and in turn can boost      your stamina and endurance.

They can help combat a sedentary lifestyle.

An active lifestyle has numerous physical and mental health benefits, however most of us are spending more time sitting than we probably should. Seated ellipticals help combat this by allowing us to add physical activity to sedentary activities such as watching TV, reading, or hobbies like arts and crafts.

They don’t put undue stress on your joints.

Unlike other machines such as an exercise bike or treadmill, seated ellipticals provide a low-impact workout since your feet never lift off the pedals. This makes them a good form of exercise for those with joint pain

They allow you to exercise from a seated position.

How to get the most out of your seated elliptical

Set it up ergonomically.

To help protect your back while using your seated elliptical, make sure you have good posture and that you don’t have to lean forward too much.

Start slowly.

If you’re new to seated ellipticals, set a low tension and pedal for just 10-15 minutes at a time. As you get more experienced, you can increase the resistance and duration of your workout. You might even consider incorporating dumbbells to give yourself an upper body workout.
 

Check out an online class.

Track your progress.

Whether it’s with a pen and paper or a dedicated exercise tracker app, making a note of how often you work out and for how long can keep you motivated to carry on.

Seated ellipticals available online or in-store at  Wellwise by Shoppers locations:

Cubii JR2

This lightweight model features an LCD monitor which displays your strides, mileage, and calories burned. Featuring eight levels of resistance, it allows you to get as gentle or intense a workout as you want. You can check in out here.

Cubii GO

The Cubii GO is similar to the Cubii JR2, but it also comes with a retractable handle and built-in wheels, so you can easily move it from room to room. Both models feature the whisper quiet ZeroGravitii Flywheel, making them ideal to use while you’re watching TV or listening to the radio. You can learn more about the Cubii GO here.

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