Q. I am concerned about osteoporosis and understand that weight-bearing exercises can help guard against it. Is using the ellipt

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Q. I am concerned about osteoporosis and understand that weight-bearing exercises can help guard against it. Is using the elliptical considered a weight-bearing exercise?

    Yes, the elliptical is a weight-bearing activity so, like standing and walking provides some benefit for osteoporosis while exercises such as swimming and cycling are non-weight-bearing and do not help with osteoporosis. However, because exercising on an elliptical is virtually no-impact, meaning that there are no repetitive compressive forces on the bones during exercise, it does not provide as much bone stimulation as running.

    -- Emily Cooper, M.D.