Is it true that elliptical trainers are bad for pear-shaped women because they bulk your lower half?

I have heard this before - that the elliptical, because it works your legs so much with high resistance, actually bulks your lower half rather than slimming it as a workout should do. Is this true? If so, what are good fitness regimens for pear shaped people trying to slim their lower body? Thanks.
Is it true that elliptical trainers are bad for pear-shaped women because they bulk your lower half?
Any exercise machine that works the lower body hard is going to build and tone muscle in the lower body, which will naturally make it appear "bulkier" in a way. But if you're working aerobically, you should be losing fat over your entire frame. So you would probably end up with a lower body fat percentage over your entire body, but with more muscle development on the lower body.



Unfortunately, there's no way to spot-reduce your fat. Your body is going to lose fat first where it's programmed to lose fat first, and if you're pear shaped, your bottom half will probably be the last place you'll lose.



An elliptical machine (or an exercise bike, stair stepper, or whatever) is still good for pear-shaped women, but go for longer workouts on lower resistance. You're trying to build stamina, tone the muscle you've already got, and work in your aerobic (read "fat burning") zone. Just adding resistance will build bigger muscles without reducing fat because you're working anaerobically.



By the way, most forms of exercise that will get you into your aerobic zone will be ones that work your lower body. In order for your heart to get pumping to that level, you pretty much have to be working your larger muscle groups, which are in your lower body. It's just the way we're made!



Remember: longer workouts at a steady pace, low resistance. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to carry on a conversation for most of your workout. If you can't, you've probably worked yourself into an anaerobic state and you're no longer burning fat!



Good luck!
Reply:Ellipticals work both top and bottom. Bulking with muscle is okay as long as you're losing fat. The slimming is the weight loss.
Reply:good thing im not pear shaped
Reply:no it is not true.