anyone use an adaptive motion trainer?

tsh0ck

We've got several at the gym and I'm gonna play around with them over the next few days ... have seen good reviews online, but was wondering about some first-hand knowledge from any folks on here that have used them.

Anyone have some tips and/or advice?

cmriverside

LOVE the AMT. At one point I was trying to figure out how to come up with $10,000 to buy one. They keep you from getting bored, and they're just fun. That and walking are my favorite cardio.

tsh0ck

I love the standard elliptical they have at the gym. lets me change incline and resistance, lots of programs, etc. what do I get out of the AMT that I don't get on elliptical? and it seems like maybe it is one that's tough to figure out initially?

cmriverside

No not at all hard to figure out. Just get on it and start. There are different levels on the AMT, just like the increased incline on the elliptical. There are different programs for interval training, too.

You can get the same motion as the elliptical if that's what you want. I like that it can adapt (hence the name) to whatever you want to do. I get bored on ellipticals or treadmills. The AMT - you can walk backwards, do heavy resistance steps, walk, elliptical, it is just so versatile.

ConcordPhil

Riverside said it well, it adapts to whatever motion you prefer... it is very versatile. I use one every day.

tsh0ck

thanks. definitely gonna give one of 'em a whirl.

SpectacuLaura

I love them! It's my favorite machine at the gym. You burn a ton of calories and can customize your work out so well and they're fun!

cmriverside

Yeah, get on, enter your weight etc, hit "Quick Start" then just play with it. You'll be hooked.

amyhoss

I use them at the gym, but I really can't tell the difference between then and ellipticals.

cgrout78

I've used it...it kicks my *kitten*, i'm dripping sweat like crazy when I'm done. Love it, we have 2 at my gym and it's really hard to get on it.

jadedone

I find it to be much harder than the elliptical, but easier to sprint on.

mixedfeelings

That looks fancy. I like!

lombrica

I wish that I found it as easy as people are saying... it actually is great when I get really going - but when I first get started, it's a bit of ... something. I don't look pretty getting started.

Best part - versus the elliptical - which is my fave gym machine - is that you can actually get a better stride. So, you can do the step, a jog or a run - and the stride will change up with you...

Good Luck - will be interested in hearing how it goes!

dragonheather

I LOVE the this machine!!! It's EASY...no stress on your joints or anything...but it WORKS YOU OUT!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Ilovetrish

It's my favorite machine also. I use it every day.

wolfchild59

The first time I got on one I hated it. The only machine I had used to that point was an elliptical and when I got on the adaptive motion trainer I couldn't find an even stride and it just felt "off".

Awhile later, after I'd stopped using the elliptical and had moved onto running, but was looking for something to do on non-running days, I tried one again. And I found that I loved it.

I like that I can move on it in a stride similar to running but without the impact. It burns the same approximate calories for me as running and I can feel it working the muscles, which I never could on a elliptical, no matter how hard I worked it.

I typically do two minute intervals of 5/9 or 5/10 resistance depending on how my legs feel that day. I do basically the full stride that the machine allows during my workout and then I will do a shorter stride for my five minute cool down.

It is odd, because it can feel deceptively like you aren't doing anything. It's a bit like running in sand, underwater. You feel a bit like you're just slogging along. But if you've ever run in sand or underwater, you know that it's actually a good workout, and so is the adaptive motion trainer. I know I've pushed well when I can feel it in my thighs and calves when I step off of it.

Sometimes I do the minutes at the lower resistance without holding the handles (don't try this the first few times you're on it, I nearly fell off until I got really used to the feel of the stride) because then my whole body is working a little bit harder to keep upright and steady and I can feel it around my middle the days I do that.

Definitely give it a try and I'll bet that you like it.

BigBankClub

I recently went from the treadmill to the elliptical and now the AMT.

1st day using it - yes, did bang my knee. After using it now for 2 weeks, you need to learn this machine. I was using the same quick motion as the elliptical, thus the banging of the knee. It's truly operates in a strider fashion. And to avoid the banging of the knee, I suggest increasing the resistance and keep the level at 3. The 5 level will only make you dig deeper. 3 ideally gives you a good start of motion and I've managed to master this beast with a resistance of 14 and running it fro 60 minutes a day.

Again, learn the machine and start out slowly, it's different than most cardio machines.

CurvyDivaNow

Just started using this machine this week and have been on it twice. Was interesting at first as I was unsure of how it worked. But once I got into it I loved it. I went on the website and printed out the AMT for Beginners Workout Program and it starts you off slowly.

Beautifulbridgittlee7

Love this, did a 5k on it, and does burn approximately the same calories as running with minimal/ no impact. Sometimes I let go of the handles and "run" on it, other times, I play around with the incline and resistance, and I notice it gets my heart rate up there, and that I'm sweating as much as if I were running or doing other cardio. A great machine.

postrockandcats

ooooh, is that the funky elliptical-looking doohickey? It hurt my knees after a while, which the treadmill didn't do. But, I liked that it moved with you more.