Eliptical? yay or nay for weight loss

WaterBunnie

Do those of you with Fitbits rely on that for elliptical burns or the machine? If you enter it on Fitbit's site as elliptical does it overwrite properly or double count? Should we take the Fitbit off if using the machine's rates? Sorry if this is a little off-topic.

TimN1974

I really like mine. I have severe spinal stenosis, so i cannot do any exercise that involves impacting the spine. So - biking (the real deal - but I also use a statinalry for a diversion now and then) and the eliptical are what I can do (besides walking).

BPayton27

I love the eliptical. I burn an average of 600-700 calories on it per hour versus the treadmill where I might burn 200 (I don't run on treadmill as my knees can't handle the running yet). I love the fact that I burn so much more on the eliptical. As far as the knees - there are a lot of different elipticals with different stride types. Some types I like and some I don't due to the stride. I've actually lost about 50 pounds (not included on here as I didn't start on this journal until about 2 weeks ago) and I've done about 95% of my cardio training on the eliptical.

How are you measuring those caloric burns? If you rely on the machine the elliptical are well known for over estimating burns.

I think that depends on the reliability of the brand. My gym uses only cybex equipment. My HRM estimates within 10 of what the machine says...which is also 600-700 per hr. Cybex has great HRM handlebars though, and calculates your gender, weight, etc.

Sweetsugar0424

I constantly hear people say that the elliptical is low impact so it's good for bad knees, but I have bad knees, used it for quite awhile without issue and then one day I ended up in a knee brace, on crutches and couldn't go back to the gym for a year because of the injury I caused to my knee on the elliptical. 6 years later I'm finally getting back to where I was so long ago, but I now refuse to step on one. IF I do any cardio machines (most of my cardio is fitness classes), it's the arc trainer or treadmill and I've had no issues with those.

sunnymel126

bump

tlctrace

I have an elliptical at home. Love, love, love it!!!

derfregal

the elliptical really has helped my wife and I gain endurance and has helped get our cardio off the floor! When we started we could barely do 10 minutes and now we do 30 minutes easily...on rainy days we usually pic a 30-45 minute show on netflix and do our workouts while watching tv to break up the monotony!

Linda_Darlene

All exercise is good exercise! An elliptical can be easier on the knees.

Lesley2901

I like both the elliptical and the treadmill. I find the elliptical easier on my knees but I don't get such a good calorie burn unless I increase my workout time (probably because my pace tends to vary). I used the treadmill for both the C25K and B210K.

TheNewDodge

No. It is terrible. You do not want to burn calories.

Rae6503

Ellipticals burn calories. If you burn more throughout the day (with our without exercise) than you eat, you'll lose weight.

Elliptical machines do not build muscle.

iLoveMyPitbull1225

I love love love the elliptical. I lost 28 pounds counting calories and using the elliptical. its a great cardio workout of you do high intensity/incline even better. I have always had strong legs but they are like steel at this point. ( I do level 9) i swear by the elliptical.

Sarge516

I started with the elliptical because it's low impact. As long as you don't get bored, it's a great cardio workout

Agree -- It worked for me. I liked/like it for the "low impact" benefit.

I wouldn't rely on it as my only cardio, but I think it can add benefit.

Heck, anything is better than sitting on the couch!

myfitnessnmhoy

The elliptical is my go-to cardio machine. The nicest part about it is that, while it is low-impact, you can also set some resistance and mix a small amount of leg (and arm if you have the right machine and the discipline) crossfit training into it.

But other than that, it's cardio. And cardio is good for you.

Cardio plus some weights is better for you.

But cardio is really good for you.

beckyboop712

I'm glad someone else has that problem too. Although the one in the gym in my apartment building doesn't seem to tear me up as previous ones I used. I still hate them more than treadmills (which I absolutely despise, just let me run outside!) and will only use ellipticals when I am in recovery mode after a race or dealing with an ankle or foot injury.

beckyboop712

My knees hate the eliptical! Not a fan, myself.

I'm glad someone else has that problem too. Although the one in the gym in my apartment building doesn't seem to tear me up as previous ones I used. I still hate them more than treadmills (which I absolutely despise, just let me run outside!) and will only use ellipticals when I am in recovery mode after a race or dealing with an ankle or foot injury.

RealWomenLovePitbulls

it's a good work-out. i lost 13 lbs (which is all i needed to lose) using it and most of it came off of my tummy and thighs.

aprus5542

No. It is terrible. You do not want to burn calories.

hhahaha

alienrite

I have had an elliptical for years and still think it is the best inside cardio machine. That being said, it is a machine and you have to be very careful about making sure it is ergonomically set up for you. I have one that is adjustable and I can vary the stride length and resistance during my workout. With my weight too high, the elliptical lets me work on developing my cardio strengths without impacting my feet and knees. As my cardio capacity improves, my body builds a capacity to burn fat more efficiently and I would argue that it does help lose weight. It also has done an excellent job on toning my legs and giving me calves and thighs of steel. The important thing is to have a quality unit which matches your body's natural motion. Otherwise, you do repetitive stress to your hips and knees.

blonde71

Yay.

ATT949

We have a home gym that includes an eliptical (I'm more of a treadmill girl but my boyfriend likes the eliptical). I've heard good and bad things about using it for weight loss and more so building leg muscles more than anything.

Is anyone or has anyone had great weight loss using the eliptical? I want to start the C25K but would like to first maybe use the eliptical for 2 weeks prior to build up my cardio which is really poor right now.

Yay or Nay?

what are your weight loss results??

Thanks everyone!

I used the elliptical for the first 6 months of 2010. During that time, and also thanks to a diet of 800 to 100 net cals/day (+/-), I lost 95 pounds.

I tried running in March, 2011 when I was about 230 but I found it unpleasant. "stuff jiggled" as I recall.

I stopped using the ellip and started running on June 6. Ten weeks later, I ran a half marathon.

The elliptical will build cardiovascular endurance, will increase calorie consumption (which may lead to weight loss), and it will build muscle.

I have had some injuries since I started running in June 2011 and, when I'm able to use the ellip, I will do so. One of the great advantages of the ellip is that it's low impact so you can get a good muscle workout (muscle overload is one of the key components of getting stronger) without putting a lot of strain on your feet, ankles, knees, and hips.

As a long distance runner, my training focuses on speed and endurance. The ellip allows me to low impact exercise to stress my legs (and build muscle) in a way that would be very high impact if I were running.

Want to use the ellip? Go.For.It

See you at the starting line!

txylxr

I personally love the eliptical trainer, I feel like I get a better workout in the same amount of time vs just running or jogging. I've lost 81 lbs and I do a combination of cardio (running or eliptical trainer) and weight training. So I say yay! Good luck :happy:

asprague917

hate them, had one for a short time and made my knee problems worse! the foot spots are spaced too far apart for me and make my knees go weird

ahjenny

I do really well on the elliptical (45 minutes in a session at times), but switching to the treadmill to start C25K, I felt like I was completely starting over. I could recommend that you start C25K now and not try to use the elliptical in hopes to make the program easier. Anyway, I love the elliptical, so if it works for you (and you like it), go for it! Just my two cents.

edrake44

It's a good way to start or even to simply burn more calories that you eat if you want weight loss. It's also low impact, which is a PLUS!

babyglock1

I don't go only by the machine but just base an average. I know the machine isn't exact but I've also reviewed other sites online to verify an average calories for each time of machine. General estimates of calories burned with an eliptical trainer on one of the sites for example said a 150 pound woman burns an average of 387 calories per 30 minutes of exercise which is pretty close to what the eliptical I train on states and I've found it on several other sites. I know it's not exact but it just gives me an idea of about what I may be burning on each type of machine. The machine I use does have you to put in your weight so it supposedly factors that in as well.

LuckyLeprechaun

I used it extensively before I began weight lifting. I can assure you it did not build any muscle on my legs, but it did help me scorch a lot of calories.

Some people dislike the motion of the machine, and there are some ellipticals I feel wonky on, but for the most part, it's a great way to do cardio.

Chrisswa

I have just discovered the Elliptical trainer upstairs at my local Y after hurting my lower calf muscle which meant i could not take part in group fitness for a few days. I love it ! I can get a good sweat up and be almost breathless with 10 minutes using high Resistance. I will do around 80 minutes on the machines now and am thinking about hiring one over the xmas break to use first thing in the morning to get my heartrate up and start my calories burning. I found its gentle on my knees and especially my calf and heel which i had hurt. I have a FT7 Polar HRM and i find the Machine will over estimate by around 20 or 30 calories. I have also found by engaging my core muscles and pulling my stomach my heartrate will go up from 131 to 139. Although overweight i am pretty fit and find it hard to burn calories as i work out everyday. I can burn a good 300 calories in 40 minutes. So i say Yay !!

adubyou

When I lost a TON of weight the first time around, before my injury that "helped" me chunk back up, the elliptical was almost all I did for cardio. Using the interval setting on my gym's machines, 60 minutes a day, helped me drop 150+ lbs. in approximately a year and a half - so I'd say that's pretty good testimony for the elliptical. :P

kareinlib

You can get a fantastic work out on the elliptical, especially the ones where you can change around the incline settings and such! And if you listen to music or plant yourself in front of the news on tv or something while doing it, the time goes super fast.