Is elliptical crosstrainer bad for flexibility?

[Adhesion]

Hy,

I am a TKD practitioner and I would like to improve my flexibility. I use Mr. Kurz's method of stretching but he states that cycling is bad for flexibility. Is the elliptical crosstrainer bad for flexibility because it's my main tool for cardio workouts? Does it have the same bad effect as cycling or it is relatively ok?

Thank you.

[CSta]

The same concept applies: an exercise that does not use the full range of motion will tend to reduce your range of motion.

[tyciol]

I don't think it is as good as running or climbing, but I think ellipticals are probably slightly less bad than cycling for a few reasons:

1. You're not seated on your butt.
2. Since you're standing, even though the RoM isn't huge, you seem to be generally more hip-extended so I don't think the hip flexors would get overactive or shorten as much as cycling.
3. Your arms are moving, whether they are swinging freely or grasping handles. This helps to spread out the work you do, you can use it to take some weight off your spine (like with nordic walking) if you do use them, there is spinal rotation coming into play like with walking.

Basically I think you could have a healthy posture, not as great as going for a run, but seems better than cycling. I have seen Rob Van Dam do these in a video.

What I figure is if you are one of those guys who trains to exhaustion then perhaps near the end you could use something like this. I am sometimes afraid to run on a treadmill or near the street when I am fatigued because I lose my balance easily.

[cailifo]

The same concept applies: an exercise that does not use the full range of motion will tend to reduce your range of motion.

This is not quite accurate. It is working at a considerably shortened length that will reduce the muscle's range of motion, such as in bicycling. However, a cardiovascular exercise with your muscles at or near resting length does not negatively affect flexibility, such as in jumping rope.