How Elliptical Cross Training Can Benefit Your Biking Routine

Elliptical cross-training is a low-impact workout that uses an elliptical machine. An elliptical mimics the natural motion of walking, running, or stair climbing. It has two pedals you step onto and use in a gliding motion while holding onto handlebars that move with your steps, similar to cross-country skiing. Elliptical cross-training works out the entire body. It targets your core, legs, and upper body in one workout. An elliptical is a highly effective way to improve cardiovascular endurance, increase muscle strength and tone, and burn calories. Since it is a low-impact workout, it doesn’t put unnecessary pressure on your joints. This is particularly helpful for those with knee or hip issues.

Elliptical workouts are customizable because the machine’s resistance settings allow you to adjust the intensity of your workout to fit your fitness level and goals. If this form of exercise sounds beneficial to you, you may consider buying an elliptical cross-trainer for yourself.

Elliptical cross-training can be a great stand-alone workout but it can also be a great addition to your bike routine. The list below explains the benefits adding an elliptical workout to your bike routine can have.

6 Ways Elliptical Cross-Training Can Benefit Your Biking Routine

Low-Impact Workout

Biking is a great form of exercise, but it can also put a lot of stress on your joints. The gentle gliding motion of the elliptical machine helps reduce the impact of each stride, unlike walking or running, both of which can be hard on the joints. Supplementing your biking routine with elliptical cross-training can help you get your cardio workout in without risking injury to your joints.

Total Body Workout

Biking primarily works out your lower body, so in order to get a total body workout, you will need to add in other exercises. With elliptical cross-training, you engage several muscle groups at once, working out your entire body. Moving your legs on the elliptical works your glutes and legs and builds a stronger core. Moving the handles works your arm, shoulder, and chest muscles. Elliptical cross-training is a great addition to your cycling routing if you are looking for a total body workout that strengthens and tones muscles, improves core strength, and promotes better balance and coordination.

Improved Endurance

Cardiovascular endurance is when your heart, lungs, and circulatory system send oxygen to your muscles during physical activity like exercise. The more cardiovascular endurance you have, the longer you can sustain these activities. Biking is strenuous exercise, and some people, especially those new to cycling, may struggle with endurance. Elliptical cross-training increases cardiovascular fitness and improves lung capacity. Both of these things can help you improve your overall endurance.

Increased Strength

While biking can significantly improve your leg strength, it doesn’t do much for your arms. Working out with an elliptical is customizable. You can increase and decrease the resistance to fit your unique goals. This means that you can increase the strength in your legs, glutes, and upper body by increasing resistance and doing more challenging strength-training workouts with the elliptical.

Variety in Your Routine

Doing one workout over and over again can easily get boring, even if it is something you really enjoy, like cycling. Mixing things up and adding in other workouts like elliptical cross-training can provide a change of pace and keep your exercise routine interesting. The ability to adjust the resistance can also keep workouts different and challenging.

Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

As mentioned above, cycling can be hard on the joints. If you are recovering from a recent injury, elliptical cross-training can be a great addition to your workout routine. Of course, it is important to speak with your doctor to make sure you are cleared to work out, but this low-impact workout can be beneficial during rehabilitation. Since it is low-impact, it is also great for injury prevention. Overworking or overextending the joints can cause injury, so if you are an avid biker, it might be a good idea to supplement your biking routine with elliptical cross-training sessions to minimize the risk of injury.

In conclusion, elliptical cross-training can be a valuable addition to your cycling routine, helping you achieve your fitness goals more effectively and efficiently. The low-impact, full-body workout that elliptical training provides can help improve your cardiovascular endurance, build muscle strength, and burn calories without putting unnecessary stress on your joints. The machine’s adjustable resistance settings allow you to customize your workout to your fitness level and goals.

Furthermore, incorporating cross-training exercises such as elliptical training can reduce the risk of overuse injuries by diversifying your exercise regimen and reducing the strain on specific muscle groups. Therefore, by supplementing your cycling routine with elliptical cross-training, you can enhance your overall fitness, reduce the risk of injuries, and achieve your fitness objectives more quickly and efficiently.