Anyone who has been at the local YMCA or health club will know what I mean when I say the times have changed. It used to be you would find treadmills everywhere, but now they have been replaced with the hottest item in fitness today....elliptical trainers. Don't get me wrong, treadmills are still popular and continue to outsell elliptical machines in total numbers, but the sale of these elliptical trainers are growing much quicker.

Why? What makes these fitness machines so popular? There are several reasons, but two main factors come to mind:

- Low impact workout on your body

- You get an upper and lower body workout

Why is a low impact workout important?

Think about this. Almost all types of exercises create some form of impact on your body. Look at walking for example. Every step you take produces force on your feet, ankles, knees and even your lower back. It may not seem like that sounds like a big deal, but over the years this can create stress and even injuries on those parts of your body. If you are a runner this is greatly multiplied due to the fact that running can produce up to 3 times your body weight on all those joints.

Using an elliptical fitness trainer safely reduces the impact on these bones and joints. Because of its elliptical motion, you feel like you are normally walking, or running, without the potentially damaging impact. Another good thing is that this is a weight bearing exercise and will help tone and strengthen your muscles.

Take a moment to stand at the side of any elliptical trainer and take a look at it. You can see that the motion looks like a flat circular movement. The lower quality elliptical machines have more of a bouncy and circular motion to them. No matter what though, these fitness trainers give your body a good workout, without the added impact. Folks of all ages are using them and they are quickly becoming the choice for baby boomers.

Why is and Upper and Lower Body Workout Important?

Never before have you been able to get a complete upper and lower body workout from the same fitness machine, at the same time. That's what makes the elliptical so unique. You can get a good workout using your quadriceps, hamstrings, back, chest, triceps and biceps. Not one other machine can do all that at the same time. You are also able to optimize your energy using an elliptical. This means that will take less time to reach more results. You will be able to burn more calories and increase your cardio capacity. Many of the elliptical machines will also go backwards. This gives even more of added benefit to your muscles during a workout.

The experts all agree that that by exercising more of your muscle groups you burn more calories, build more muscle and improve your endurance. An elliptical provides a way of exercising with a reduced rate of exertion. You're still getting a great fitness workout, but it's not as strenuous. It's a true win-win situation.

By having an elliptical providing both an upper and lower body workout combined with low impact exercise, its no wonder these machines have become so popular. One other important point of interest is the fact that compared to treadmills, elliptical trainers require very little maintenance. There are fewer moving parts and no motor.

I would encourage those who haven't taken the opportunity to use an elliptical trainer to go to your local fitness club and do so. I believe that once you do you and your body will enjoy the experience immensely!