Sometimes it seems the whole world is trying to lose weight. There is always another diet book on the bookshelf, which claims to be better than the previous books and will really help you lose weight faster, easier and better or so the makers claim. The same is also true of exercise and weight loss machines such as an elliptical trainer; there is always a better system or machine around the corner. But in a few weeks, or months, the next big elliptical trainer appears and leaves the other machines as part of a bad fitness dream.

Speaking of which, currently in vogue at the moment are elliptical trainers. But are they really any better at helping you to lose weight when compared to all the other exercise machines out there? Although elliptical trainers are primarily marketed as exercise and fitness machines, the main question asked by many people new to them is, can I lose weight using an elliptical trainer?

Elliptical trainers differ from other types of exercise machines in that they combine the features of both a stair tread machine and a treadmill. By using foot beds, which move in an elliptical motion they give you the benefits of both systems without the joint impact of a treadmill or the boredom of a stair tread machine. The best machines also encompass moving handlebars and are programmable to change the speed and difficulty of the program. This makes them a very efficient exercise machine that can give you a fantastic aerobic and cardiovascular workout and gives a resounding yes to the question; can I lose weight using an elliptical trainer?

In fact the reason that many people ask the question, can I lose weight using an elliptical trainer, is because they have had so much difficulty with other systems and machines, and do not want to end up spending large amounts of money for yet another useless exercise machine. Probably the easiest way to determine whether it is a suitable system that you would enjoy using and be able to achieve real benefits from is not to try one out the shop while listening to the salesman's sales pitch and trying to avoid the curious glances of other shoppers, but to join a gym, even on a temporary membership in order to try out a really good professional quality elliptical trainer and get some proper instruction on the best way to use it in order to derive the maximum benefit of weight lose.

Actually trying out an elliptical trainer can give you a much better insight into whether it will be an exercise system that you will enjoy using and should answer any questions that you still have, including the key one, can I lose weight using an elliptical trainer?