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elliptical

Q1: How do I know which elliptical machine is best for me?

My gym has a few different types of elliptical trainers. What are some of the key differences between them, and how do I know which one is best for me?

A. Elliptical trainers can spare your joints and work your whole body. Proper fit is essential, however. That’s because ellipticals move your limbs along preset tracks, and not every machine fits every exerciser. “It’s important to find a model that’s comfortable for your particular height and structure,” counsels Jeff Rosga, director of education at Life Time Academy, the education division of Life Time. Some key features to consider:

Stride mechanics. Your hips should hyperextend while working the pedals — meaning your feet should push behind you slightly, as in a typical walking or sprinting motion. If your feet stay in front of your hips throughout the movement, choose another model.

Drive position. Front-drive ellipticals have an enclosed plastic casing on the face of the machine and the pedals follow a fixed, back-and-forth movement.

Rear-drive models (with the casing in the back) have pedals that move up and down slightly. These rear-drive units allow you to change the shape of your stride and, as a result, the muscles you’re working the hardest by inclining or declining a ramp in the front of the machine.

Both models can provide a great workout; it just depends on whether you prefer more of a walking or climbing movement.

Upper-body action. Many elliptical units have upper-body resistance bars. If you choose to use them, go with a machine whose handles offer plenty of resistance, so that your upper body gets a good workout.

Whichever model you choose, Rosga suggests you shake up your cardio workouts frequently to avoid getting bored or injured.

Q2: How much protein do I really need?

Every now and then I eliminate meat from my daily diet. When I do, people warn that I might not be getting enough protein. Is this something I should worry about?

A. “Protein intake depends entirely on your goals,” says Alan Aragon, MS, nutritional adviser to some of the top pro athletes on the West Coast. Though diet gurus often give blanket recommendations for how much protein people need, actual requirements can vary tremendously from one person to the next. (Aragon notes that the longest-living people on Earth, the residents of the so-called Blue Zones — places like Okinawa and Sardinia — actually consume relatively little protein.)

Those who seek general health and longevity but don’t exercise intensely can probably do fine on any clean, healthy diet — vegetarian included — assuming it contains at least 50 to 60 grams of protein a day. You can get that from one or two servings of meat or poultry, or a few hearty servings of beans or tofu. As your activity level goes up, protein requirements do increase sharply.

“Sedentary adults who take up strength training three times a week should probably double their protein intake, especially if they were [consuming] at or below the RDA levels of 0.8 grams per kilogram [or 2.2 pounds] of body weight,” Aragon says. And people who participate in intense physical activity most days of the week will gain the most strength and muscle on about a gram of protein per pound of target body weight every day.

While it’s a bit harder to get that much protein without eating animal products, it’s doable. In addition to the usual beans, nuts, and grains, vegetarian gym-goers should consider loading up on whey, casein, and other protein powders to ensure adequate recovery between workouts. (Find protein-packed vegetarian recipes in “The Hearty Vegetarian.”)

Regardless of how much protein you consume, though, don’t forget that fruits and vegetables rock. The fiber and phytonutrients they contain help stave off cancer, cardiovascular problems, and digestive diseases of all kinds. So go easy, moderate, or heavy on animal proteins as you see fit — but never neglect the green stuff.

Fitness Fix: It’s All in the Wrist

Poor wrist flexibility can dramatically limit what exercises you’re able to do. Here’s how to bend them better.

Inflexible wrists can cause pain and interfere with being able to do key exercises, including cleans, front squats, planks, pushups, barbell overhead presses, and dips. Adam T. Glass, a personal trainer in Minneapolis and creator of the DVD Industrial Strength Grip (2010), works with his clients to develop a full, healthy range of motion in the hands and wrists. His first step is assessment.

10-Second Wrist Test

While standing, let your arms hang down at your sides, thumbs forward and fingers straight. Then check these two movements on each arm.

Flexion: Bending only from the wrist and keeping your hand flat, move your fingertips toward your body. A typical range of motion is near 90 degrees.

Extension: Keeping your fingers straight, bend your wrist straight outward from your body. Once again, the typical range of motion is near 90 degrees.

If you already possess good range of mobility, you don’t need to bother with stretching. If you have room for improvement, start by moving your wrists through their full range of motion a few times a day, gently helping them into position. Ease into it, since it’s possible to overstretch the connective tissues of the wrist and destabilize the joint, Glass says.

He also suggests trying the old-time circus strongman exercise below.

Plate-Pinch Reverse Curls

  • Grasp the edges of two small weight plates (2.5 to 10 pounds) with a pinch grip, where your fingers are on one side and your thumb is on the other. (The pinch grip will be taxing on the thumb, so make sure to clamp down tightly.)
  • Rotate your hand so your knuckles face forward.
  • Initiate the movement by extending the wrist forward, then perform a biceps curl, keeping the knuckles facing the shoulder. Continue to extend the wrist forward throughout the movement.
  • Slowly lower your forearm and repeat until you slow down or experience excessive tension in your arm. (That’s a set.) Don’t force the movement.
  • For most people, three to five sets will be plenty. Advanced trainees can work up to eight to 10 sets.

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