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