What kind of results are you seeing with an elliptical??

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  • kellxbelle09
    kellxbelle09 Posts: 17 Member
    and it posted twice.. sorry haha
  • _michellle
    _michellle Posts: 15 Member
    The elliptical is my absolute favorite - I have lost 6 pounds in a month with just the elliptical. I've lost more inches than anything though, and haven't measured in a while due to the lovely mother nature making her rounds with me. But I have noticed since using it the past month I have lost more inches than pounds. (30minutes/day about 3-4 times a WEEK** not month!)
  • lilbell13
    lilbell13 Posts: 18
    I have noticed that my legs and bum are firming up. Although I usually only do a 30 minute warm up on it before spin class.
  • twinsmom7602
    twinsmom7602 Posts: 55 Member
    I have been using an Elliptical for the past 2 months, along with a 1200 calorie diet with NO other exercise. I am down 9 lbs, and I went from a size 6 pants to a size 3/4.. :) I only get on it 3 times a week for 30 minutes. I would go longer, but my toes fall asleep on me and I can't stand it. :)
  • catbit
    catbit Posts: 28
    I love the elliptical!! I usually do 3-4 days a week for 45min (I usually go 9-9.5 miles). My legs have toned a lot since the end of January. I highly recommend getting an elliptical!!
  • _Lori_Lynn_
    _Lori_Lynn_ Posts: 460
    Bump
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I love the elliptical trainer at my gym. I use a stationary bike for variety. A lot of pain that I was having in my knees and hips has gone away since I stopped walking as much. Also, I can do high intensity intervals, get fitter, and do shorter workouts, without damaging myself.
  • Liftnlove
    Liftnlove Posts: 235
    The elliptical is fine and good. I use it almost every day...but don't make the mistake of thinking it will firm up your body ANYWHERE CLOSE to what lifting weights will do, because it will NOT. I use it, I love it, but just make sure you know what it's for. It's just cardio, it's not magic. ;)
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I'm a fitness instructor/trainer and if you're looking for some great results, try 20 minutes of high intesity interval training. Studys show that people who do 20 minutes of high intensity drills vs. 40 minutes of a sustained pace burn more fat and calories and condition their hearts and lungs to recover faster. Warm up at a nice easy pace for a few minutes then really increase the speed or incline or both and push yourself as hard and as fast as you can. Start off with 30 sec....then back off and recover for 5 minutes and crank it up again, then recover. Little by little, you'll be able to increase your high intensity time. The results are great and I use this type of training with most of my clients and they love it :) Good luck!
    I'm going to try this tomorrow, thanks! I use the max cardio setting on mine which is similar, but doesn't ramp up very high.

    I've had mine for a year and was way out of shape when I started. 10 minutes killed me. Now I can go for an hour but usually do 30 to 45 minutes 4-5 times a week. Its definitely helped a lot in the initial 50lbs I lost. It was worth the investment.

    Oh btw awesome looking GSD, I have one too.
  • Penelope2738
    Penelope2738 Posts: 66 Member
    Love it, pulls in my core ( I have one with the arns) and I even get out of breath! I do 30 min 1-2 times a week, for 30 min. I also do muscle class twice a week, and that has REALLY helped cut fat in combination with MFP:)
  • i_luv_irs
    i_luv_irs Posts: 30 Member
    I enjoy using the elliptical at the gym but I don't use it exclusively. I always try to switch up my routine. I do feel like the elliptical is effective if you use a high enough resistance. I have to feel the muscles working otherwise I don't think I'm working hard enough.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    I have an elliptical and love it. The action is more effective at burning calories than walking on a treadmill, and far less boring. Mine has a fan and tells me how many cals and carbs I've burned, plus time elapsed. This modeI has moving handlebars so my arms get a workout too, and it can be set for different grades. I've done anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes per sessionon this, and I trust what the machine tells me about calories; the MFP site was grossly overestimating that. The machine knows how fast I'm going. Legs are stronger, more energy, better stamina. Easy on my problematic back. I highly reccommend elliptical machines.
  • Nigzy85
    Nigzy85 Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks for all the information. This will help me when I start to exercise. Right now I just started watching what I am eating and marking it all down and just walking. I will start next week with the machines. Hope to drop pounds like everyone else. Love the posts.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    The results of me on an elliptical: I rarely use the elliptical anymore. LOL it's BORING! But it's a good starting point and a good way to get cardio in..

    Lift weights in addition to cardio.. it's the real path to losing weight..

    oh and do exercise videos that combine strength with cardio.. those will get you toned up and stronger in no time! people love 30 shred (i didn't like level 1, but haven't tried 2 or 3 yet) and they say they do great with it and it's like 10 bucks. I love tae-bo and cardio salsa :~)
  • Reneeisfat
    Reneeisfat Posts: 126 Member
    I just bought me an elliptical machine being I see how many people swear by the results, burning calories and toning their bodies. I am curious to know how long you excercise a day/week, and what kind of results are you seeing. I am realling trying to lose 25 lbs and tone up this body after having 4 kids. I am on a 1200 cal diet and been using my elliptical for 3 days and I just wanna know what anyone thinks about it. also looking for buddies!!! :))

    Since January 1st (10 weeks) I've lost 24 pounds. I use a precor elliptical for an hour most days and a minimum 30 min. I also to strength training and Zumba 3x week. I too am a 1200 calorie a day diet.

    The results besides weight lost have been overall toning. It's funny...the other day I was looking in my full length mirror and while standing on my tip toes I saw something black on my calf. I looked again and it was a shadow under my calf! Lol! The muscle was sticking out throwing a shadow and I didn't know what it was!

    I have an open diary and fitness diary. I also log everyday. Friend me if you want.
  • acbabbitt
    acbabbitt Posts: 50
    I use my elliptical for the high intensity interval training mentioned earlier. I do that for 20-30 mins 3-4 times a week + strength training.
  • dstevens19
    dstevens19 Posts: 233 Member
    I use the elliptical occasionally at the gym but I hate that my feet fal asleep on it. Can usually do 30 min then have to switch to another machine to wake up my feet.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    When walking (power walking, over 4 MPH), I didn't break a sweat. Did that for years.

    I use the elliptical every day at the gym and I increase the resistance all the time, do "sprints" where I go faster and get my heartrate up, and I get all nice and sweaty. I am getting an awesome cardio workout. I also do pushups and strength training.

    I burned 435 calories in 35 minutes tonight, which is my most calories burned ever. I remember when I first started, I felt happy if I burned 280. I love the elliptical!!
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I use the elliptical occasionally at the gym but I hate that my feet fal asleep on it. Can usually do 30 min then have to switch to another machine to wake up my feet.

    Have you tried loosening up your shoelaces? I had this problem when I first started and then I realized I probably shouldn't have my laces so tight. :smile:
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I use the elliptical occasionally at the gym but I hate that my feet fal asleep on it. Can usually do 30 min then have to switch to another machine to wake up my feet.

    Have you tried loosening up your shoelaces? I had this problem when I first started and then I realized I probably shouldn't have my laces so tight. :smile:
    I had this issue even with loose laces. I got some different shoes, problem solved.
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