There is no question about it: you can‘t be optimally healthy unless you include exercise in your overall plan. Fortunately, spring is finally here and people can finally begin heading back outdoors to exercise (and, here in the Midwest and elsewhere in the country, we can finally feel the sunshine again!)

However, some people have injuries that prevent them from doing outside exercise, while many others still need to supplement their outdoor activities with indoor exercise due to their busy lifestyles. If you need to workout indoors for any reason, an elliptical machine is by far the best type of equipment you can possibly exercise on.

It provides a more complete workout than even running (and I am a runner), and it is far easier on your joints.

An elliptical that allows you to change the incline on the legs is especially ideal, as you will get a workout of all of your different leg muscles.

Some of the less expensive ellipticals don‘t allow you to change this incline angle, but if you are going to invest in an elliptical, it is wise to invest in one that allows you to do so, as you will get a truly complete workout.

I normally suggest adjusting the resistance setting and frequency of steps per minute so you are just short of not having enough breath to carry on a conversation. This is the aerobic threshold that will produce cardiovascular benefits.

The ellipticals are also great for reducing the boredom and monotony of exercise.

What I normally advise patients to do is to change the incline setting by one notch every minute. This will activate different leg muscles. I also suggest reversing the direction of the leg movement. With ellipticals it is equally easy to move backward or forward, and each of these motions works different muscles in the body.

When patients or others ask me what model of elliptical I most recommend, I have done extensive research on this and can provide a very confident answer:

The Precor EFX 546.

This is probably among the most sophisticated exercise machines ever built at all, in fact. It is incredibly easy to use, adjustable to all sizes and surfaces, very durable, and was actually engineered to make it feel like you are exerting yourself less than you really are--so you workout harder.

The issue for most people is it’s cost: over $5000.

No wonder many people still head to Target for the inexpensive models that don’t provide a sufficient workout!

For more exercise recommendations, check out "Exercise to Improve Your Body and Your Brain" and the articles below.

Exercise Better Than Drugs For Depression

Exercise Can Be Fountain of Youth

Exercise Good for Depression

Ellipticals Run Ovals Around Treadmills