Stigma around elliptical machines
Tkb1331
Posts: 22 Member
Hey guys! Just wanted to know your thoughts about ellipticals, if you've used them, weather or not you think they work etc. Before I started working out I did some reading and discovered that these machines are worthless, over estimate your calories burned, and are looked down upon at the gym (especially if you're a younger man). I've had some knee injuries in the past, torn meniscus and mcl, so even though I read all these negative things about them I decided to try it out anyway. I've lost about 14lbs in a month and a half, using the elliptical and lifting. I was wondering what your experiences were, for those who've used them, and what your thoughts are for those who don't use them, weather it be the stigma, or if you feel that they're useless. Thanks!
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Replies
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Congrats on the weight loss so far! I used an elliptical for the second time (first time was years and years ago - I used it I felt that my tibialis anterior...thanks google...was going to pop through my skin) last week after developing a pain on the outside of my hip after jogging on the treadmill. About ten minutes into it my toes started going numb! Quick google search told me that I can't keep the ball & toes on the platform the whole time, so I learned to lift the front half of my foot at the top of the rotation. The elliptical machine does tell me that I burned more calories on it vs using the treadmill but I do have a faster pace on the elliptical so who's to say if it's an over estimation or not. But now that my hip is back to normal I'll be back on the treadmill but I do think I will alternate between the two...and there's always the stair machine for when I really want to get a good sweat going! But I say whatever keeps you moving is the machine for you, regardless of others' negative view on it.3
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I thought people liked them because they were good for your knees, I never heard anyone talk badly about them.8
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Who cares.
If it suits your needs- then use it.
If it does not. Then don't.
Don't ever do something because you think someone might talk *kitten* about you- you'd never leave your house- and even then- someone's still gonna have something to say.
Do whatever it takes to meet your goals- stigma's be damned.34 -
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Elliptical
Supports joints during cardio
Has adjustable resistance
Can use for steady state, HIT and endurance training
I fail to see a problem
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Elliptical
Supports joints during cardio
Has adjustable resistance
Can use for steady state, HIT and endurance training
I fail to see a problem
All good points.
I don't like them simply because I don't enjoy using them. I'd prefer to run (outdoors or treadmill) or bicycle (outdoors or stationary), I enjoy both of those activities more. But from a point of getting a cardio workout in and burning calories, there's nothing whatsoever wrong with an elliptical machine. I don't see any stigma about using them (especially for the OP, with a history of knee injuries) and the argument that they overestimate calories burned could apply to just about any cardio machine.Do whatever it takes to meet your goals- stigma's be damned.
Exactly. If I had bum knees and an elliptical was working for me, I couldn't care less if the "bros" in the gym were side-eyeing me.5 -
I personally would prefer any other form of cardio running/rowing/stair master etc because I like to be efficient and burn the max calories I can in that time, I have found I don't feel like I am getting the same intensity from the elliptical, personal preference.
If you are using the elliptical, I would recommend upping the resistance to keep things interesting.
Even though I don't like it I haven't ever judged anyone who is using it.1 -
I wouldn't discount to the elliptical based on inaccurate calorie counting. You wouldn't be using any cardio machine in the gym if that were the case.9
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The study I read showed that the treadmill burned more calories but hey burning some-and not injurying your knee-is working for you!0
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Elliptical is a great machine and easy in the knees4
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Elliptical
Supports joints during cardio
Has adjustable resistance
Can use for steady state, HIT and endurance training
I fail to see a problem
Reason number one is exactly the reason I use them. On a treadmill (or outside) I can't go above a brisk walk due to not so great knees. On the elliptical I can increase the effort with little to no risk to my stressed joints and push my HR to improve my endurance.3 -
It's a cardio machine that allows someone to get a good cardio workout - simple as that really. I don't regard it as a poor relation - just an alternative choice. Maybe because there isn't an equivalent "real" exercise some people may frown on them? Maybe they aren't seen as "macho"? Frankly who cares! Each to their own.
I tend to mostly use bikes for indoor cardio as I'm a cyclist but rowers and elliptical machines get some use. Treadmill would be my last resort as I dislike running and running hurts my damaged knees.
They definitely aren't all created equal. That goes for movement, resistance and calorie accuracy too. I find the Cybex ARC Trainer gives very accurate estimates which isn't surprising given how they developed their calorie table. On the other hand some give fanciful estimates clearly designed to flatter the user.2 -
I love the elliptical!
recently injured my knee on the treadmill by trying to go too fast but never a problem on the elliptical2 -
There is no common design for an elliptical, so each manufacturers model will have a different movement. This could conceivably affect how easy/hard it is for someone to achieve their most effective workout intensity. The best elliptical models IMO are those that involve both arms and legs, and that have a movement design that more closely resembles running (exception being the Arc Trainer-which has a more unique design but can be very effective).
For the most part, however, an elliptical fits all the criteria for an effective cardio exercise--large muscle groups involved, rhythmic movements, maintenance of elevated heart rate. In addition, the workloads can accommodate every fitness level--from unfit beginner to elite athlete.
I've read the criticisms of ellipticals and most of them are just shallow groupthink--cliches repeated by people who have a bias towards cardio in general and enjoy belittling those forms of exercise they personally don't enjoy.8 -
I love the elliptical (I have RA) and owned a gym-quality precor for years.
I do HIIT on the same model at my gym and keep my arms free - I don't like the models with swinging arm things (fitbit defaults to categorizing it as running). For example, level 10, starting with a 5 minute warm up at resistance 6 @ about a speed of 180-190. At 5 minutes, I do 20 seconds at resistance 12 "sprinting" all out (230+), then drop back down to resistance 6 and 160-180 speed for 1 minute. 20 seconds/1 minute at those levels until I hit 20 minutes in total. Killer!1 -
As for the other people's opinions, I wouldn't worry about them. All cardio machines have a bad stigma with many of the guys that think they are bodybuilders and some of the lift heavy females. Ellipticals just happen to be the poster child. They are not making fun of the machines as much as the people that come into the gym, hop on a machine for 20 minutes on low resistance, play or talk on their phone the entire time, then leave without ever breaking a sweat. They are usually also fully decked out in Lululemon gear from head to toe with a giant water bottle like they just did something. They might even start munching on a Luna bar on the walk out! ;-)
One of my favorite machines at the gym is a Cybex Arc Trainer. I use it about every other cardio workout. Quite frankly, I started using it because all those years of sports have left my ankles, knees, hips, and back in questionable condition! I do 45 minutes at high resistance and by the end I look like I fell in the pool.
Here is my opinion on ellipticals -
1) you have to find one that fits. These things are all over the place and some fit your stride, some don't. Some have a natural motion path, some don't. What works for me might not work for you. So, if you get on one and go for 5 minutes and it feels awkward, try a different one.
2) They way over estimate calories. If I have no idea what my burn is I use about 1/2-2/3 of the calories it gives me. On the Cybex, I use on HRM on occasion and "calibrate" the calorie burn and adjust based on that. If it tells me 600 calories, I know to enter about 75% of that.
3) You HAVE to up the resistance. I think this is where ellipticals get a bad rap. Most people jump on and just start going. The problem is that these machines assist your stride, so you are tricking yourself on how hard you are working out. If you are using a fitbit, it counts steps, not energy output, so low resistance on an elliptical will give you a false count on your fitbit too. I set the resistance on a variable incline program and then put it on a resistance level that I can barely keep pace when the incline gets to the steepest part. My legs are jelly after 45 minutes on it. I walk funny!
4) Try not to hold on to fixed arm bars. I personally don't care much for the upper body part of the ellipticals, so I never use that part - if you are actually pushing and pulling with your arms, go for it. What I am talking about are the people you see that are pushing up on the side bars to assist their legs. This is a no-no. Like I said, I personally prefer to "jog" on the elliptical, so I never touch anything with my upper body. If you find one that fits your stride, you don't need to hold on for balance.
5) Don't make the elliptical your only cardio. I think this goes for all exercises. I personally think walking/jogging/running should be your primary cardio and things like ellipticals give you a lower impact alternative to throw in.
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Best to leave your ego at the door when you enter the gym. Nothing there is worthless.17
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If it works for you use it!! It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Sure I dislike the elliptical but I dislike all cardio machines equally1
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I use the elliptical 6 days a week because I think walking on the treadmill is boring and I am not a runner. The machine definitely over estimates calories burned so I use my Fitbit to get a more accurate account of calories burned. I have knee problems too and find that is easy on my knees and I get a good sweat!2
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I am fairly certain ALL gym machines over-estimate calories burnt. Measuring calories burnt is super difficult unless you actually set something on fire (of course, you can make a good estimate, but by no means accurate), and I'd think if you were going to estimate, you'd over-estimate (think of the psychological boost of burning all those calories!) I wouldn't take the calorie count as gospel for that reason - instead focus on how you feel at the time (are you working hard? Are you sweating?) and the results you're getting.
My cousin, a would-have-been pro football (soccer) player if he hadn't suffered a massive break in his leg, explained it to me this way: crosstrainers (ellipticals) are good at building aerobic capacity - the effort of moving the machine makes you breathe harder/sweat/heartrate increase, etc. But they remove a lot of the 'weight-bearing' that happens in other cardio, so they're not providing the same benefit to your body (things like bone density). When you run on a treadmill, for example, your feet hit the track and that shockwave travels through your lower legs, which helps improve bone density, strengthen tendons, etc. An elliptical won't provide anywhere near as many benefits that way, because you're not "stressing" those parts of your body. He used them during recovery from his broken leg, and they're a smart move if your legs cannot take strain (e.g. if you've got knee problems).
I think the benefit of actually just DOING exercise regardless is probably worth a few disparaging looks in the gym?
TL;DR - ellipticals are perfectly acceptable cardio, if you work hard enough, but you might not be getting all the benefits that "weight-bearing" cardio can provide.
(PS I don't actually use ellipticals, they give me motion-sickness
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Using an elliptical burns calories in an efficient manner, so how can they be bad? The control panel probably overestimates the burn but that's not a reason to avoid them. Other people look down on them and the people who use them? If that's the case it just shows their lack of character.
I'm a runner now but before that I'd use the elliptical any time I was at the gym. If for some reason I couldn't run outside and had to decide between the elliptical and the treadmill, I'd pick the elliptical every time. I can't stand treadmills... but that's just me.1 -
I didn't know there was a stigma over ellipticals. I use it as a change of pace of as a warm up for my lifting sessions; running on the roads for as long as I can. Snowy, icy roads are not my friends. Road running, treadmill running, elliptical, I use them all.2
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What is the stigma? I just used my elliptical 20 minutes ago for 40 minutes.. I do this twice a week on my off running days, its a good low impact machine.0
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I've seen you ask questions on other topics in the forums. That's good. Ask questions and try different things until you find something that YOU enjoy and will do consistently. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. If you enjoy the activity and are PROGRESSING TOWARD YOUR GOAL; do it.
As for Ellipticals. If you want to know your calorie burn get a HRM. Don't trust strange machines that don't know you. Personally I tried ellipticals. I didn't feel like I was making any progress and didn't particularly enjoy using them. They also do not fit into my goals right now.
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I have not heard bad things about ellipticals... for heavier folks it is a god send alternative to running... I personally avoid running simply because I don't feel that the extra weight I carry (about 40 lbs) would be good for my knees or soft tissue around my knees and hips... the extra impact is something I would avoid at least until these extra pounds are gone... like anything... it's about your attitude... and how you choose to challenge yourself personally... and NOT all elliptical machines are created equal some have a shuffling motion like XC skiing... others like a stand up pedal bike... more recent versions combine a whole series of motions and others yet are more lateral (like a skating motion) would industry invest so much in creating these variations if there didn't serve a purpose? it's a gym.. go hard challenge yourself and any machine is going to work for you.4
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GauchoMark wrote: »
You'd feel better if it was said that she FINISHED 40 minutes on the elliptical 20 minutes ago. ;-)3
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