Which machine to choose?

Awineburg

Hi, I went the gym last night (for the first time) and there were so many machines to choose from. Treadmills, Elliptical and bikes(2 kinds). Which one should I choose? I tried all 3! The Elliptical is great, But I can only do it for about 3-4 minutes then it starts hurting really bad! Do you have another suggestions as to which one I should use? Im lost

Chantelle160

Walking on the treadmill is amazing exercise and a great place to start.

xXAlana21Xx

i like the bikes

tiffsNEWlife

They are all a great way to exercise. Try mixing it up. One day do the elliptical, then treadmill, then bike. This way you are mixing up your exercise and you can see which one you like and gives you the results you want!

Naomi91

Which ever one you find more comfortable! Everyone is different :] find something you enjoy and can stick with I cannot stand the elliptical haha i get sooo bored.

NoAdditives

I would use the elliptical and the treadmill. Exercise bikes don't do much unless you're doing a crazy spinning class. Start with the elliptical and do it for as long as you can. If it's just a couple minutes, that's fine. You'll start building your endurance as you go. Then go to the treadmill and do some interval training, as fast as you can go for as long as you can go and then a slower "rest" period, and back to fast.

taletreader

Take a look at this thread... http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/160213-new-to-the-gym

SimonLondon

I found the Elliptical to be the easiest on my joints when I first started. Yes it feels hard and even now the first 10 minutes make my legs ache but once past that I can stay on for hours.

You could also try the treadmill on a slow speed but with a good incline.

Awineburg

I tried the bike for 20 min, then the treadmill for 5 then the elliptical for 5 haha and did some weights

polo571

I vote for the cybex arc. I love it.

melissa1977

I have a goal to try every machine at my gym at some point to see if I like it. We have the Precor CrossRamps that I didn't want to use because it looked like a "skinny girl" machine. But now it's one of my favorites! Try them all, it certainly can't hurt!

dreamc08

I'm sorry the first night didn't go so well. Did you try any of the treadmills or bikes? Maybe try the treadmil until you get a little more used to being active. Dont push yourself so much that's you're in real pain, because that just makes it more likely to get burned out and quit. Hang in there!

Did you ask if someone was available to show you around on the machines? Maybe just changing a setting would help it feel better? (Staff at my gym will do this for free.)

LizardIsANerd

I hate ellipticals!
HATE them!!
They make me feel all sloshy and motion sick.
I don't really like bikes unless they have the upper body ergometer (meaning the bike thingy for the arms too.) I try to watch tv or do other things if my arms aren't busy too and then I find I have forgotten I am on a bike and just sit there...

I really like the treadmill cause even when I am slowly jogging I can read while I am on it and I can't forget that I am on the treadmill cause it'll throw me if I do!

aymetcalf

I vote for the cybex arc. I love it.

Me too!!! :flowerforyou:

Krizzle4Rizzle

Just starting out I would say go elliptical! I think they are fun. Plus you work your whole body instead of just your legs like on the bike, After that gets boring for you, I say go treadmill.

MOMvsFOOD

When I am getting back into the gym routine I find a circuit like workout is good until you work the strength for some of the machines. Try 5 or 10 minutes on a few machines. Then you can keep working up how long you are on them. I like some kind of bike, elliptical, stairclimber combo. Ive been gym friendly for a lil while now so on the weekend when I have time to burn I can do 45 elliptical, 20 stairs, and 40 bike in whatever order. Then I stretch for 15 and just make the 2 hour daycare limit! I only get lunchbreak sessions during the week so 30-40 min max, so I try for a good push on Saturdays!

chunk3y_m0nk3y

I love the ellptical because it is so easy on the joints. It is really hard to do at first if u arent use to it but then it does get a little easier. Like the 1 guy said..the 1st 10 min is really rough but once u get past that point it seems to be easier. I bought my own elliptical so I wouldnt have to go to a gym and I find its nice to use something that doesnt hurt to use it. You can feel ur muscles working and I love that feeling. The treadmill is great if thats wut u like. Its harder on the joints because of the impact. Im not saying u shouldnt use it because if u like it then go for it. Im not crazy about the bikes cuz for me if im going to be working out I dont want to sit on my butt. lol Some ppl really enjoy them so it really comes down to preference. What ever machine u really like the most use it. Switch it up some so it doesnt get boring. Good Luck and remember...u CAN do it!!

amehrkens

I vote for the cybex arc. I love it.

Me too, love it!!!

Awineburg

I vote for the cybex arc. I love it.

Me too!!! :flowerforyou:

Hmm... Not sure what this is

Mawskittykat

When I first started I couldnt do but 5 minutes on the elliptical now I can do 30. But I like having someone to talk to me it makes it go faster. The treadmil is so boring to me and my feet feel like they go to sleep. I dont usually have that problem on the elliptical. Do what is the most comfortable for you especially until you get use to it. Or try a little of both.

bldg

Where is it hurting when you use the elliptical?

backinthenines

Where is it hurting when you use the elliptical?

Very good question and I was astonished no one asked. So... what's the source of the pain? Joints? If so which? Is it chafing?

I would disagree with the previous poster who said you should be running intervals on the treadmill. It's something I would not advocate even for a generic newbie runner from the outset, never mind someone addressing 300lb weight issue. The impact on the joints would be enormous and likely to lead to more pain than the elliptical ever could.

Initially I would stick with non-impact exercises.

Spin classes are great and generic exercise bikes also have their uses. Ellipticals make great fat burners in general. Another machine you may find comfortable is a Concept 2 rowing machine. The burn is similar to running and you have no impact on ankles and knees.

Awineburg

Where is it hurting when you use the elliptical?

Very good question and I was astonished no one asked. So... what's the source of the pain? Joints? If so which? Is it chafing?

I would disagree with the previous poster who said you should be running intervals on the treadmill. It's something I would not advocate even for a generic newbie runner from the outset, never mind someone addressing 300lb weight issue. The impact on the joints would be enormous and likely to lead to more pain than the elliptical ever could.

Initially I would stick with non-impact exercises.

Spin classes are great and generic exercise bikes also have their uses. Ellipticals make great fat burners in general. Another machine you may find comfortable is a Concept 2 rowing machine. The burn is similar to running and you have no impact on ankles and knees.

The part that was hurting was my muscles in my legs, not just a little burn but a lot! Today the back of my knees are painful not just sore. I think I should have gone a bit slower, but the machine kept telling me to go faster

nokittyno

I hate ellipticals!
HATE them!!
They make me feel all sloshy and motion sick.
I don't really like bikes unless they have the upper body ergometer (meaning the bike thingy for the arms too.) I try to watch tv or do other things if my arms aren't busy too and then I find I have forgotten I am on a bike and just sit there...

I really like the treadmill cause even when I am slowly jogging I can read while I am on it and I can't forget that I am on the treadmill cause it'll throw me if I do!

Lol, I am reading your post and looking at your profile/avatar pic with the cat. So suiting for the despising of the Elliptical, like an outward facial express just toward the topic.. if that makes sense, made me LOL. 'Cause i'm weird like that,..

ANYWAYYY, to the topic.

I found for me the Elliptical always worsened my ability to workout, and the intermittent knee pain I have. I found all ellipticals run on a different stride length, (18, 22.. etc) and if your stride doesn't quite match it - it feels awkward, sloppy and PAINFUL. Usually the higher end models at gyms are better than the average home ones(i found if you spend under 2,000 on an elliptical.. you get junk for the most part; not always).

I know a treadmill can wreak havoc on your knees, but for me when I try and counterbalance it with leg curls or squats it helps, and for me the Elliptical is based on a, |Put in= get out| factor, and if I slack - so will the movement, so with a treadmill it pushes me,.. Like, "OKAY, YOU SLOW DOWN AND SLACK - I'LL KEEP MOVING AND YOU CAN FALL ON YOUR FACE, K?" Lol, so a treadmill actually keeps me more consistent and I found my weight loss/maintaing has been achieved better with a treadmill than an Elliptical.

museonlife

I love the elliptical. I find it easier and less boring than a treadmill. I like to pedal on it backwards!

katikati

I like the bike..also not too big to have in the house.:flowerforyou:

backinthenines

Where is it hurting when you use the elliptical?

Very good question and I was astonished no one asked. So... what's the source of the pain? Joints? If so which? Is it chafing?

I would disagree with the previous poster who said you should be running intervals on the treadmill. It's something I would not advocate even for a generic newbie runner from the outset, never mind someone addressing 300lb weight issue. The impact on the joints would be enormous and likely to lead to more pain than the elliptical ever could.

Initially I would stick with non-impact exercises.

Spin classes are great and generic exercise bikes also have their uses. Ellipticals make great fat burners in general. Another machine you may find comfortable is a Concept 2 rowing machine. The burn is similar to running and you have no impact on ankles and knees.

The part that was hurting was my muscles in my legs, not just a little burn but a lot! Today the back of my knees are painful not just sore. I think I should have gone a bit slower, but the machine kept telling me to go faster

Sorry you're hurting. :flowerforyou:

The back of the knees can hurt when you lock out your knees on low resistance. Perhaps in your panic to keep up with the tempo dictated by the machine you kept the resistance low and then the legs can kind of "fall through the pedals" if you get my drift which can cause the knees to jarr a bit, and there are many sensitive little tendons at the back of the knee such as the popliteus, which are very easily annoyed.

Next time you go why don't you start off, just the first few weeks, with something that's non-weight bearing such as the bike or the rower. It provides you with a good burn with no impact and you WILL lose pounds with those just as well!!!!

And once you build a little bit of leg strength, go back on the elliptical and stick a bit of resistance on and go at a pace that allows you to concentrate on good form. It's not a race.

starkiss100

I like the Ellipical the best. I burn the most calories on it and I feel like I sweat the most on it, so it must be giving me the best workout. But it's good to switch it up some so your body doesn't get use to the same thing, you gotta keep your body guessing if you want to continue changing yourself!

judz46

I love the treadmill...listen to my walkman and 30 mins goes so fast and burn about 350 cals.