Why can't I use the elliptical?!

wal3qx
wal3qx Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I can spend as long as I want on the treadmill without issues including using incline, I have no issues with leg days at the gym and have been upping the weight on a regular basis, but as soon as I get on an elliptical my quads start to hurt and my left knee screams in pain. The most I can go until my knee demands I stop is 6 minutes. I don't get it at all. Anyone have any ideas?

Replies

  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    it could be the angle that the eliptical requires that your knee bends. I have to be careful on stairs sometimes because at a particular rise/run ratio, my knee doesn't function. There's a stairwell in my building with that ratio, so I just have to avoid that staircase.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I've always had the same issue minus the pain. I would just get exhausted even though I could do a great workout on a treadmill or glider.

    I can't say the reason for your pain. Hopefully, someone else will be able to help with that. 💟
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    The elliptical is an unnatural movement. That thing blows.

    Agreed. I hate the elliptical with the passion most people reserve for hating the treadmill.

    Just don't use it.
  • kimothyschma
    kimothyschma Posts: 209 Member
    The elliptical kills my lower back! I'd rather run or walk.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,185 Member
    I can't ride the elliptical either. I am short, and it seems that my stride doesn't conform with the move of the elliptical. I can work in the ARC Fitness without a problem, while other people at the gym can't take more than 5 minutes in that equipment.

    I used to work in the treadmill for ever at a very steep incline until I had my knee replacement surgery. Not anymore; a couple of minutes in the treadmill make my new and old knee scream.
  • AZTeri2016
    AZTeri2016 Posts: 77 Member
    Does your gym have more than one style elliptical? Ours has several, but I can only use one without my bum knee giving me major issues.
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    I have always hated the elliptical. Thought there was something wrong with me!!! I was happy to see these other posts - know now I am not alone :)
  • lrsirius
    lrsirius Posts: 328 Member
    I hate the elliptical with a fiery passion mainly because it kicks my butt. Even when I was in top physical shape I found it difficult to stay on longer than 20 minutes. It makes my quads feel like lead weights, and it used to make my knees feel achy (not any longer). I remembered some advice I was given that helped-don’t use any incline or resistance at first, build up the time slowly, and watch your form/posture. I recently decided to get back to the elliptical because I felt the need for more intense cardio; in the last two weeks I’ve gone from dying after 2 minutes and am now up to 17 minutes/1.7 miles. I did this by adding a minute or a few tenths of a mile at a time. My knees don’t ache and my quads are feeling less heavy. I am persisting with the elliptical because I have a chronic case of Plantar Fasciitis and the elliptical is easier on my feet than the walking that I prefer. I also wondered why the elliptical was so tough for me and came to the conclusion, perhaps erroneously, that it is because it targets muscle imbalances or weaknesses I have from years of doing exercises I prefer (walking, kayaking, cycling, weights/KBs). I have to say that after two weeks of doing this I feel really good, my posture is better and I weirdly feel “looser” is the best way I can describe it. I am going to keep adding time and distance slowly and work up to 30 minutes, this machine will not beat me. ;)
  • beckyrpl
    beckyrpl Posts: 73 Member
    I have an elliptical. I use my elliptical. I don't love my elliptical. I agree, the movement seems to be unnatural. It's like playing 'whack-a-mole' with your feet. I've worked up to doing 30 minutes on the elliptical. I can run a 5k, I can jump rope for 10 minutes without stopping. Some days I'd like to light my elliptical on fire.........
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited August 2019
    After my second knee surgery trying to piece together my right knee years ago, my knee surgeon said how much he hated the Elliptical. My right knee doesn't hurt from walking, rowing, Stairmasters, lifting or biking. I get on the Elliptical and I can't walk the next day. It is a very unnatural movement and it puts great stress on your knees.

    I also agree with others. Some models are worse than others. I just find the thing useless. Terrible cardio workout and I don't care for it either.
  • Keep_on_cardio
    Keep_on_cardio Posts: 4,166 Member
    I have a NordicTrack CX 938, no knee issues so can’t relate to having knee pain. I can see how it could become problematic. I’m the odd one, love my elliptical.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Since you "can spend as long as I want on the treadmill without issues including using incline, I have no issues with leg days at the gym and have been upping the weight on a regular basis" the WHY you can't use the elliptical is merely a curiosity. As long as there are no other problems with your workout, don't use the elliptical. It seems that it doesn't like you. that's OK.
  • koalathebear
    koalathebear Posts: 236 Member
    I think the motion just takes a bit of getting used to, but if it doesn't work for you just switch to other equipment. I started out on the treadmill but found that the elliptical was a much faster way to get my heart-rate up/burn my calories. I also find that my feet hurt less when I use the elliptical. Bike gives me a sore butt, step machine is scary and also not great for the knees. I've lost 31kg using the elliptical and a variety of other cardio activities and strength training - no injuries so far touch wood - so am a big fan.

    On top of that, I use it to think, listen to music and also audiobooks given that I'm doing the goodreads reading challenge this year. With the help of the audiobooks I've been listening to on the elliptical, I'm now on 83 books out of 100 this year.
  • HDBKLM
    HDBKLM Posts: 466 Member
    I always thought I was the only one! I just can't do it for some reason and could never figure out why
  • duskyjewel
    duskyjewel Posts: 286 Member
    I'm 5'6" and find that I can't use ellipticals unless they are adjustable and I can make the stride at least 21 inches. If it's shorter than that I can't stay on it. I find most non-adjustable ellipticals have strides shorter than that. So see if you can find an adjustable one and play with the stride length to see if that helps.
  • SummerSkier
    SummerSkier Posts: 5,116 Member
    The problem with ellipticals is that they put a load on your joints thru the complete range of motion - unlike a treadmill or running. I have a torn meniscus and ellipticals hurt my knee a lot.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Have you ever seen a professional athlete on elliptical ?? I haven't.

    Some probably have trained on one.... dunno, however..... they don't seem popular with elite athletes.
  • JeBeBu
    JeBeBu Posts: 258 Member
    I experience the same on elliptical and on traditional stationary bikes. I have no issues with treadmill or with recumbent bike.
  • BachataDancer
    BachataDancer Posts: 77 Member
    I only use the elliptical for the backwards walking motion. If your elliptical is able to move that way, try it. It's a good butt workout.
  • koalathebear
    koalathebear Posts: 236 Member
    As I said, different strokes .. Everyone's different. It's about finding what exercise works best for each person. I don't think any of them are inherently better/worse than the others.
  • Hannahwalksfar
    Hannahwalksfar Posts: 572 Member
    I used to use it daily but since converting to hiking I can’t use it anymore, I legit get motion sickness.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    edited September 2019
    I tried ellipticals for a while, but with my short little T. rex arms I had to lean forwards the whole time in order to use the handles, and the position felt increasingly uncomfortable and unnatural as I got used to actual walking outside the gym.
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,399 Member
    lrsirius wrote: »
    I hate the elliptical with a fiery passion mainly because it kicks my butt. Even when I was in top physical shape I found it difficult to stay on longer than 20 minutes. It makes my quads feel like lead weights, and it used to make my knees feel achy (not any longer). I remembered some advice I was given that helped-don’t use any incline or resistance at first, build up the time slowly, and watch your form/posture. I recently decided to get back to the elliptical because I felt the need for more intense cardio; in the last two weeks I’ve gone from dying after 2 minutes and am now up to 17 minutes/1.7 miles. I did this by adding a minute or a few tenths of a mile at a time. My knees don’t ache and my quads are feeling less heavy. I am persisting with the elliptical because I have a chronic case of Plantar Fasciitis and the elliptical is easier on my feet than the walking that I prefer. I also wondered why the elliptical was so tough for me and came to the conclusion, perhaps erroneously, that it is because it targets muscle imbalances or weaknesses I have from years of doing exercises I prefer (walking, kayaking, cycling, weights/KBs). I have to say that after two weeks of doing this I feel really good, my posture is better and I weirdly feel “looser” is the best way I can describe it. I am going to keep adding time and distance slowly and work up to 30 minutes, this machine will not beat me. ;)

    I have an elliptical at home, and after hundreds of hours of use, I've determined that it can and will beat me. But it can beat any human, as it's capable of 700+ watts resistance for hours on end. :)


    But I think you make some great points. Resistance and ramp angles alter loads, as well as change stride lengths on most machines. Using those two features, many people can find a more natural workout mode.

    I use only a couple different pairs of shoes on my elliptical as well, as I've found shoes that are two soft and "sticky" on the sole plant my foot too hard and make for more stress. The shoes have to have some slip on the foot pads, otherwise foot placement has to be more exacting to be comfortable.

    It's also easy on the elliptical to target differing muscle groups, and rather than adapt to the machine like you do with a treadmill, the machine adapts to your input speeds and such. I live in an area without much natural terrain, so short of running stairs or something I can't find many hills for when running or biking. Except on the elliptical.



    Bachataera wrote: »
    I only use the elliptical for the backwards walking motion. If your elliptical is able to move that way, try it. It's a good butt workout.

    If it has an adjustable ramp and resistance, you can find settings that will work just about anything below your core on an elliptical. Backwards with medium to high ramp and similar resistance can really work the glutes and hip flexors as well.

    I know on the machine we have, I can set my quads on fire. It's no joke.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    The elliptical is an unnatural movement. That thing blows.

    This. It's really not good for your knees.
  • MyFreakingNameIsScott
    MyFreakingNameIsScott Posts: 199 Member
    If you experience pain:

    1) Don’t do it
    2) See a doctor and then get a referral to a specialist.

    I wouldn’t simply leave it at number 1. People ignore pain like it’s simple soreness. Your body is speaking to you; listen to it. My job is dealing with athletes. The amount of athletes that dismiss pain drives me nuts. 2 weeks of rehab will turn into 2 months in a heartbeat if not taken care of properly and in timely order.

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