Whether you're on a low carb diet or a low fat diet, its important to exercise if you want to accelerate your weight loss while dieting.

Would you be interested, to find a piece of inexpensive exercise equipment that could help you achieve the same results you'd see from a $12,000 treadmill? My answer to that question was sure, but its probably just hype for one of those TV gimmicks that don't really work. And besides, I'm not a big fan of treadmills either, because of long term knee problems.

Treadmills have been shown in numerous studies to be the best cardio workout around. They use all of your lower body. Quadriceps on the front of your legs,hamstrings to the back, your calves,your butt,and your hips. The more muscle you use at a time, the more fat you burn. And that means more of the right kind of weight loss.

So whats this equipment that works all those areas and doesn't cost and arm and a leg? An elliptical trainer. An elliptical machine is a low to no impact machine that feels something like cross country skiing combined with cycling.

Elliptical machines are comfortable and adjustable just like an exercise bike and they can burn as many calories as an expensive treadmill on high incline. They're easily adjusted from no resistance to as high as your level of fitness requires.

Of course the people that make the treadmills for 12 grand also make some really expensive and elaborate ellipticals too. Tastes vary, but I can tell you, that having recently had the opportunity to use both kinds, I found in my case, that I actually preferred the feeling of the inexpensive elliptical machine to the expensive one.

Elliptical machines come in many different types, with some featuring extended handles that move as you walk and work your arms and shoulders too. Some that we've found, range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. In my mind, the elliptical trainer is the best piece of equipment out there and not just because it burns fat fast. Its the first cardio machine I've ever used that I actually don't mind using.

Mike Boyd is a successful diet and fitness writer and a regular contributor to the popular http://www.healthy-low-carb.com