Elliptical - is it worth it?

gerryd72

I use the Elliptical off and on as it is convenient for me. I have one in my garage.

I used to do a lot of fitness - mainly outdoor bootcamp stuff and running. I hurt my knee about 4 years ago and that put a stop to this exercise. So I got a bike and had a few years cycling outside.

Work and life gets in the way and i find it difficult to find the 2-3 hours required for a decent cycle so I have gone back to the Elliptical. My problem, and I think it is in my head, is that I feel the Elliptical is a bit false. I do work up a sweat and my heart races so I do feel like I am working. However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

I just want to lose weight at my age. Not interested in getting toned. Just losing the belly and the chin.

Should I stick with it? I do it 4-5 times a week and will do it every day if it will make the difference. Anyone got any elliptical success stories?

wanzik

You get your heart rate up and you sweat but you don't feel like you're working? You are. I love ellipticals. My knees give me pain too so I use ellipticals. I don't believe the readings it gives regarding calories burned but I just round those way down.

Now, for weight/fat loss: You can't out-exercise a bad diet. You can lose fat without working out at all. So exercise because you enjoy it. If you want to lose fat weight, look at your diet.

gerryd72

Makes sense. Agree with the calorie reading. Doubt It is anywhere near. The machine and my Fitbit show a difference of about 200 calories over 30 mins. Take your point about the diet. I'll keep it going and see what happens. Thanks.

riffraff2112

I prefer running outside but as you mentioned (especially since I hit the 50 yr mark) it causes joint pain. I know the elliptical workout isn't as intense but it definitely is easier to commit to and with a decent tv screen, or my cellphone I can distract myself so that I can go pretty long (which makes up for the lack of intensity).
I could turn the intensity, resistance and pace up easily enough, but for me I am fine with a moderate workout that I can stick to. Being in pain, or hating something isn't conducive to sticking with it.

So yeah...stick with it. You are getting a decent calorie burn.

knightreader

Elliptical is one of the only exercises my replaced knees allow me to do. I, too, doubt what calories burn on the machine and MFP both say, but I'm working hard and my heart rate is def going up. No matter what, it's better than sitting on couch. Only exercise that has ever given me DOMS is lifting- which is limited with me knee issues too!

Jthanmyfitnesspal

gerryd72 wrote: »

However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

Here's the solution: Do the elliptical, then afterward, beat your legs with a broomstick for a few minutes! Feel the burn!

But, seriously, I've done everything you mentioned, and nothing makes you sore like running. I don't know if that means it is the best exercise ever invented or if it is slowly destroying your body.

The elliptical is one of the greatest exercise machines ever invented and I've done it a lot. It is very effective for cardio training while being easy on the joints.

nytrifisoul

I use to run a lot and also have a treadmill, but i ruined my knee's running and instead of an elliptical i sprung for a Bowflex treadclimber. Let me tell you, that thing kicks your butt. After 60-90 minutes going 2mph i am on rubber legs. Burns crazy amount of calories. My only issue is the shocks are noisy, but at least the shocks are taking all the impact and not my knee's.

sarko15

gerryd72 wrote: »

However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

That sounds more like torture than exercise.

nytrifisoul

sarko15 wrote: »

gerryd72 wrote: »

However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

That sounds more like torture than exercise.

I kinda see where he is comming from though. When use to run, at my peak, i would run hard, like 10 miles (5 forward, 5 back) in 90 minutes or less. It would kill me (and my knee's) Using a Polar HR7 i would struggle to keep my HR above 160. Now with this Treadclimber it feels so easy to stay in the 165 to 170 range with barely any pain. (lots of sweat and heavy breathing) but compared to outside running, its childs play.

sijomial

gerryd72 wrote: »

I do work up a sweat and my heart races so I do feel like I am working. However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

You need to have a serious think about this section!

Sweating means you are getting hot - it's not a measure of a good workout. If I cycle indoors as opposed to outdoors I'm going to sweat a lot more for exactly the same power output/calorie burn. Doesn't make it better - just wetter!

Your heartrate is up so yes that's a sign you are working/stressing your CV system - your workout is achieving that goal. Probably not a good idea to be aiming for your heart "racing" for every workout though.

"However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise" - sorry but this is ridiculous! DOMS is not a training goal nor the sign of an effective workout. Suffering next day is going to mean your activity will drop (burning less calories) and may well compromise the quality of your next workout. There are times to push hard if you have high fitness goals but not all the time!

Your weight loss is down to your calorie balance and not how much you hurt yourself.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Let me add that you might not want to ONLY do elliptical for cardio. It pays to cross train with other activities as well. If you no longer want to run (which is entirely reasonable under many circumstances), you can spin, row, or walk on an incline on the treadmill. Plus, I hear these can be performed OUTDOORS!

mulecanter

Swimming is another option. Good on the joints (except perhaps the shoulders) and a calorie burner. Common complaint is that it's boring. The new waterproof mp3 players and earbuds actually work well even through a flip turn. I've found podcasts the best as you can immerse yourself in both the subject in discussion and the water

sarko15

nytrifisoul wrote: »

sarko15 wrote: »

gerryd72 wrote: »

However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

That sounds more like torture than exercise.

I kinda see where he is comming from though. When use to run, at my peak, i would run hard, like 10 miles (5 forward, 5 back) in 90 minutes or less. It would kill me (and my knee's) Using a Polar HR7 i would struggle to keep my HR above 160. Now with this Treadclimber it feels so easy to stay in the 165 to 170 range with barely any pain. (lots of sweat and heavy breathing) but compared to outside running, its childs play.

Oh definitely. That's why I have switched from running to the elliptical too. But I want to challenge the notion that you need to be in extreme pain to count something as exercise because it's not necessary.

CSARdiver

Definitely worth it. When I was at my heaviest and 70 lbs overweight I didn't want to aggravate my knee by running and did a lot of swimming. The elliptical was a great change between the swimming and biking. Once I got down to a healthier weight I incorporated running. I still use the elliptical, but we sold our personal one and purchased a higher end treadmill and bike trainer.

BrianSharpe

gerryd72 wrote: »

However, to me exercise is about days worth of DOMS, being unable to walk due to the pain of exercise. Doesn't happen on the Elliptical.

One of the reasons I joined the triathlon club that I've belonged to for 10 years is that the head coach's philosophy is that every workout should leave you wanting more, the old "no pain no gain" is nonsense. My body will let me know when I've started upping my distances during a training plan, fatigue yes; DOMS rarely.

cwolfman13

DOMS isn't a training goal, nor is it an indication of a good workout. If you're training regularly, you really shouldn't have DOMS...and generally speaking, cardiovascular work doesn't cause much in the way of DOMS unless you haven't done anything in quite some time.

Also, as an avid cycling enthusiast and mountain biker, the notion that you need 2-3 hours to get in a decent ride is also ridiculous...those are nice, but hardly the norm for most people not training for some specific event.

The elliptical is fine cardiovascular exercise, though I hate that thing along with any other droning away stationary equipment.

yayamom3

I lost 35 pounds last year counting calories, walking and doing the elliptical. Walking is my preferred exercise, but the elliptical is so handy when the weather is bad or walking doesn't fit into my schedule for whatever reason.

HoneyBadger302

I make good use of the elliptical, and I get a darn good (cardio) workout on it. Max HR, you can do a HIIT style session if you have less time, longer, lower HR sessions, varying sessions....due to knees and a fubared ankle, I tend to prefer the elliptical for a steady-state cardio. The other day the ellipticals I wanted were busy, so decided to use a treadmill and go for a (rare) jog (can't "run" due to ankle). It was EASY compared to what I do on the elliptical!

If you push yourself on it, you can have a great workout.

That being said, if you want sore muscles (meh - but maybe you'd like the benefits that you associate with that kind of workout) add in some strength training. You don't need to be a body builder to have great benefits from weight training of some variety. Even some body weight exercises at home.

And, like someone else said, can't outrun a bad diet....without a LOT of running anyways LOL

lorrpb

I like my elliptical because I can get a good workout AND still be able to walk the next day 🤣. I supplement it with upper body and core work.

Inspirationalwaterjug

You could buy a turbo trainer of Craigslist if ya want to bike inside. Takes way less time and get in just as much work