Does Elliptical Burn Belly Fat? Expert Insights and Tips

In pursuing general fitness and health, losing belly fat has significant relevance.

Beyond its aesthetic benefits, it also gains you confidence and improves your overall health. People have established various weight loss methods till now. But the search for the best technique is still going on. It’s where the elliptical cardio machine comes into use.

Elliptical is a strength training machine that improves your stamina and strengthens your body. The elliptical training can help reduce abdominal fat, especially with regular usage. It is essential to include an elliptical trainer with an active lifestyle and good nutrition to benefit from it. 

Today, we will discuss whether an elliptical burns belly fat, the benefits of using an elliptical trainer and tips for using it.

So, Continue reading to discover the science behind elliptical training and its impact on reducing belly fat.

How Does Elliptical Burn Belly Fat? (The Science Behind Elliptical Fat Loss)

How to lose belly fat on an elliptical? A research study shows that incorporating regular exercise is the only way to achieve effective elliptical fat-burning. Below are some specifics of an elliptical machine for fat burning.

Cardiovascular Exercise for Effective Fat Burning

Ellipticals provide an effective cardiovascular workout, raising your heart rate and increasing calorie expenditure. This helps create a caloric deficit, promoting fat loss throughout the body, including the abdominal area.

Full-Body Engagement: Targeting the Core

Ellipticals engage multiple muscle groups, including the core, legs, and upper body. The continuous motion requires core stability, toning the abdominal muscles and aiding in fat reduction in the belly region.

High-Intensity Options for Enhanced Results

Incorporating interval or higher resistance levels on the elliptical can further elevate heart rate and metabolism, promoting increased fat burning around the abdomen.

Caloric Burn and Belly Fat Reduction

Ellipticals accelerate the process of belly fat loss by targeting a particular area of the body. It is far better than other cardio workout machines.

The elliptical exercise machine helps you get core strength. It will boost your calorie-burning rate rapidly. Elliptical workouts can burn 270 to 400 calories in thirty minutes.

You may lose weight more quickly if you spend more calories than you take in.

Consider increasing your workouts to burn calories while exercising on an elliptical machine. 

Concentrate on extending and intensifying your exercises for better belly fat burning. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) enables you to do more activity quickly.

Related Article: Rowing Machine VS Elliptical: The Differences And How To Make The Most Of Each

Benefits of Using the Elliptical to Lose Belly Fat

The benefits of using ellipticals for weight loss can help you reduce belly fat quickly. Using the elliptical machine to lose belly fat offers several advantages:

Low-Impact Workout

Ellipticals provide a low-impact cardio workout that is gentle on the joints. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals with joint issues or those looking to avoid high-impact exercises like running, which can lead to belly fat loss without putting excessive stress on the body.

The low-impact exercise option is one of the elliptical significant benefits. The oval is ideal for seeking excellent exercises without stressing your joints. 

Unlike sports like running or jumping, it glides gently across the floor. This feature is significant for people trying to lose belly fat.

Total Body Engagement

Ellipticals engage both the upper and lower body, promoting a full-body workout. This simultaneous muscle engagement helps increase overall calorie burn, contributing to fat loss in the belly and other areas of the body.

Customizable Intensity

Most elliptical machines offer adjustable resistance levels and inclines. Increasing your workout’s intensity can challenge yourself and burn more calories, facilitating belly fat reduction.

Heart Health

Regular elliptical training improves cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and enhancing efficiency. This is crucial for overall fat loss, including in the abdominal region.

Consistency and Convenience

Elliptical machines are readily available in gyms and can be used at home. Their ease of use and versatility make maintaining a regular exercise routine easier, a key factor in achieving long-term belly fat loss.

Monitoring Progress

Many ellipticals have built-in tracking features that monitor heart rate, distance, and calorie expenditure. These tools can help you stay motivated and track your progress toward your belly fat loss goals.

Cardiovascular Workout

The elliptical machine is a unique and effective calorie-burning device for toning body fat. It provides an active cardiovascular workout on the elliptical that engages muscle groups, burning more visceral fat than other forms of exercise.

This dual-action exercise involves the upper and lower body simultaneously. It gives the entire body a workout that targets different muscles.

Cardiac Training

According to the National Center for Biological Information, adults should aim to engage in 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity weekly. This activity can be either vigorous or moderately challenging.

Examples of such activities include brisk walking or fast movement. The purpose of this is to improve their overall health. Adults must participate in exercises that build muscles, like push-ups or lifts, at least twice weekly.

No Effect on Muscles Engaged during Elliptical Exercises

The best part about the elliptical is that it does not cause any harm to your muscles. Since it is impact-free, you may exercise longer and harder on the elliptical trainer. 

Additionally, it is not causing pain if you have preexisting joint problems or are overweight. You should know that elliptical machines are only efficient with a healthy diet and exercise.

Effective Elliptical Workouts to Lose Fat

Here’s a 4-week best elliptical workout for weight loss plan to burn belly fat:

Weeks 1-2: Laying the Groundwork

Day 1: 20 minutes at a leisurely pace on the elliptical. Keep your form right and become used to the machine.

Day 2: Use the elliptical for belly fat for almost 25 minutes. Switch between 2 minutes of a steady pace and 1 minute of a faster, more intense pace to start interval training.

Day 3: Rest or moderate cardio exercises (like walking fast).

Day 4: 30 minutes of elliptical exercise. To test yourself, up the stakes at the intervals.

Day 5: After 15 minutes of resistance training (squats, push and pull, planks), spend 20 minutes on the elliptical machine.

Day 6: Rest or light exercise.

Day 7: 35 minutes on the elliptical. Mix in longer stints that have more intensity.

Weeks 3–4: Raising Intensity

Day 1: The elliptical for 40 minutes. Keep your intensity at higher levels consistently throughout.

Day 2: Do 30 minutes of elliptical exercise on the second day. Alternate between 2 minutes of intense effort and 1 minute of easy exercise.

Day 3: Rest or easy activity.

Day 4: The elliptical for 45 minutes. If there are tilt settings available, challenge yourself.

Day 5: 25 minutes of elliptical exercise followed by 20 minutes of muscular conditioning (planks, squats, and dumbbell movements).

Day 6: Rest or easy activity.

Day 7: The elliptical for 50 minutes. Mix in more extended breaks, and strive to venture beyond your comfort zone.

Combine a plan with a healthy diet to achieve your goals. You must consume nutritious meals with lean proteins and veggies and drink sufficient water. Also, sleep 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night and reduce stress using slow breathing or meditation.

Tips for Using the Elliptical

Be aware that belly fat can trigger health issues. According to Harvard Health, abdominal fat connects type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. 

Incorporating the elliptical can effectively lose weight. Below are some tips to maximize elliptical trainer efficacy.

  • Erect Posture: Maintain an upright stance with your knees bent slightly and tighten your abdominal muscles.
  • Warm-Up: To prevent strain, start with a brief introduction.
  • Increase Gradually: Start at an inviting intensity and raise resistance.
  • Interval Training: Alternate between high-intensity interval training and low intensity during interval training to burn calories efficiently.
  • Cooldown: To finish, gently minimize your heart rate throughout the cooldown phase.
  • Water: Drink plenty of water throughout your workout.

Other than workout tips, some general health tips boost elliptical benefits and improve your general health. They include;

Tip 1: Introduce metabolism-boosting meals and drinks. Never consume the following 60 minutes before an exercise,

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Coffee
  • Berries
  • Almonds
  • Spice turmeric
  • Beans

All of them will help your body burn more calories. It also gives you the additional power required for an effective workout.

Tip 2: Use foods such as eggs, fish such as salmon, pork, and Greek yogurt. Also, add proper fat, such as coconut, avocado, or olive oil. They help to build muscles and strengthen your body.

Tip 3: Make sure you drink a lot of water. Consuming at least 1.5 liters of water daily is vital to maintain the body’s proper functioning.

Tip 4: Make an effort to cut back on your alcohol intake. If you keep drinking, alcohol goes to your belly fat, and you can’t lose weight even with exercise.

Other Exercises to Burn Belly Fat

Elliptical is an excellent form of cardio exercise. However, you must include it with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes to lose belly fat.

Also, try other HIIT workouts (running, using a stair climbing machine, rowing, or jumping rope). Running and brisk walking are excellent exercises for burning fat. Walking quickly for 30 to 45 minutes may assist you in losing weight. Also, jogging raises your heart rate and speeds up burning calories and visceral fat.

Both exercises work the core muscles and improve metabolism, which results in a slimmer waistline. They are also excellent choices for losing belly fat since they are easy to access and equipment-light.

FAQs

Does Elliptical Burn Belly Fat?

Yes, an elliptical burns belly fat. Elliptical is the most incredible fitness machine to reduce belly fat. It directly targets a particular body area and helps lose weight.

Is Elliptical Exercise for 30 Minutes a Day Enough to Reduce Weight?

You can burn nearly 335 calories using an elliptical for thirty minutes daily. Exercises on an elliptical machine are excellent because they provide weight-bearing movement.

Is Regular Elliptical Use Suitable?

Yes, you can use the elliptical machine daily. Plan two to three days weekly for brief or low-intensity workouts. So your body gets sufficient time to recover.

Is the Elliptical Better or the Treadmill?

The best machine for you will depend on what you need it for. Keep using the elliptical if you possess a physical ailment or are at risk for injuries. The treadmill could be beneficial to burn calories and boost your leg muscles’ pace.

Key Takeaways

  • The elliptical burn belly fat machine can assist you in burning a lot of calories.
  • It improves your balance, increases endurance, and boosts your heart, lungs, and muscles.
  • Use an appropriate elliptical workout plan for advanced benefits. 
  • Be persistent and set new goals for yourself every week & month.
  • Must incorporate a healthy diet and exercise regimens with elliptical use. It will create a comparable calorie deficit and help you lose weight.

Author

  • Meir Magal, Ph.D., ACSM-CEP, FACSM

    Dr. Meir Magal, Ph.D., ACSM-CEP, FACSM Welcome to xbodyshape.org, your trusted source for evidence-based insights into achieving your fitness and wellness goals. I'm Dr. Meir Magal, and I'm thrilled to be your guide on this journey toward a healthier, happier you. As a Professor of Exercise Science with over 21 years of experience, I'm passionate about sharing the science behind achieving and maintaining a healthy body shape. I hold a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and am proud to be a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), which means you can rely on the information you find here to be rooted in sound scientific principles. My commitment to advancing the field of kinesiology has earned me the prestigious distinction of being a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM). This recognition underscores my dedication to promoting health and well-being through research and education. Through my career, I've had the privilege of publishing research in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and presenting my findings at conferences and seminars. However, my true passion lies in teaching and mentoring. I've had the pleasure of guiding and inspiring numerous students on their journeys to becoming exercise scientists and wellness enthusiasts. At xbodyshape.org, you can expect to find expert insights, evidence-based tips, and practical advice on a wide range of topics related to fitness, exercise physiology, and overall well-being. Whether you're aiming to shed excess belly fat, build muscle, improve cardiovascular health, or simply adopt a more active lifestyle, I'm here to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed. Thank you for joining me on this quest for a healthier and happier body shape. Together, we'll explore the science of exercise and nutrition, debunk fitness myths, and empower you to make informed choices on your path to wellness. Let's embark on this journey toward a better you, one step at a time. Warm regards, Dr. Meir Magal