to be lean, don't lean on the machine!

ceejay000

So - I have a question - on the eliptical with the arms that swing back and forth is it better not to use those or is it exercise to make use of them? Thanks

I have the same question. I always thought that using those arms was better because it added an upper body workout, but is this incorrect?

ninerbuff

So - I have a question - on the eliptical with the arms that swing back and forth is it better not to use those or is it exercise to make use of them? Thanks

I have the same question. I always thought that using those arms was better because it added an upper body workout, but is this incorrect?

If you shuffled your feet with your arms down you'd get a good workout. If you shuffled your feet and boxed with your arms at the same time, you'd burn more calories. As long as your arms are "pushing and pulling" you're working them too, but bump the resistance up one to ensure you're not taking away from your leg work.

dad106

I just started doing this! I walk on a treadmill at a 15% incline at a speed of 2.5 because thats the slowest i can go without feeling like I'll fly off the back end.. eventually I'll get up to faster speed, but for now that works for me!

o.k. so I'm confused. You say you walk up 15%? That's really steep. How fast can you go at lower grades?

I don't go at lower grades unless I'm cooling down... I set the treadmill to the highest incline which is 15% and isn't that steep.

I've been walking at a 15% incline since January at a speed of 3.0/33.5 but I was always holding on to the Tv screen or the machine it's self. I never put all my weight on it or anything.. It was just more for support. Only now have I started to let go and walk without holding on, which is why I bumped the speed down. I normally do 2.5 for 5 min, 2.6 for 5 min and 2.7 for 5 min before I bump the grade down to do a cool down.

Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll be alright. I also have a personal trainer and if I have any questions, I'll ask him.

fionarama

thats interesting , often wondered that - I know when I get tired thats when I want to do it so it makes sense. I heard on one of those reality weight programmes you burn an extra 15% if you swing your arms by your side instead of hanging on to the bar.

candistyx

You know I suddenly realised I don't understand what the incline numbers mean.

Is it the percentage of 360degrees? or 90 degrees...

Why don't they just use an angle, would be way easier to understand.