Imagine you have spent years faithfully jogging two miles a day in order to stay healthy and to prevent certain medical conditions. And then you discover that your joints and your feet hurt incredibly. You go to the doctor to find out what's wrong. You are diagnosed with a repetitive impact condition – caused by your jogging.

This doesn't mean you should give up exercise altogether. You just have to exercise in a safer way that's kinder to your skeletal frame and joints than constantly pounding your feet against hard surfaces. One of the best elliptical trainer benefits is that you get all of the benefits of jogging, but none of the stress on your joints.

It's An Exercise Machine

Despite the name "elliptical trainer", you are not hiring a personal fitness coach. Also called "cross trainers" or "ellipticals", elliptical trainers are the latest and greatest in exercise equipment. They can be as plain or as fancy as you like. Some even come with interactive video games to keep you from boredom. Some come with pulse monitors and flashing lights. All elliptical trainers benefit your health and fitness.

How do you get these great elliptical trainer benefits? You get on what looks like a stationary bicycle – but without a seat. There's a big round wheel in front of, behind or in between two long pedals that look like short skis. You hold on to the handlebar (which sometimes can swing like ski poles if you want), stick your feet on the pedals and push back and forth to get the pedals moving.

Another great benefit of elliptical trainers is that it is a very effective calorie burner. It burns almost as much calories as running on a treadmill, and nearly twice as much as a moderate swim. Many come with different settings to progress in difficulty as you progress in fitness.

The First Month Is The Hardest

The benefits of elliptical trainers do not just suddenly materialize when you step in front of one. You still have to use it, at least five days a week. You start only with a few minutes and then build up gradually to an hour. Always stop if you feel any incredible pains, especially chest pains. Although you might feel tired, the best way to get rid of this fatigue is to keep up a regular exercise routine.

A benefit of elliptical trainers not often touted is that it can help raise your energy levels. That seems contradictory – if you feel tired all of the time, shouldn't you rest? If you are not physically ill and yet feel tired, resting is the worst thing you can do. Keeping active can help raise your daily energy levels. The first month of any new exercise routine is the hardest, then it gets easier.