elliptical is bad..?

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  • ebailey710
    ebailey710 Posts: 271 Member
    I've heard that running is good for bone strength because it jars your bones. But I personally believe that ellipticals are good machines (I have one here at home) because there are as many options as a treadmill and you have that arm movement you can choose to utilize as well.

    I think it depends on the person. If you feel good after using one, continue to do so. If it hurts or isn't for you, discontinue use.
  • robinrsimmons428
    robinrsimmons428 Posts: 42 Member
    I love the elliptical...I find that I sweat my butt off on that thing but the one thing I notice is my left baby toe goes numb. Does anyone have an issue of their toes going numb? I have had several friends say the same thing. I thought it was my shoes being tied to tight but that doesn't seem to be it.
  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    I think the only issue you're going to have with them is if you're already injured. Certainly having bad knees and cranking the step height up isn't going to do you good.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    I love the elliptical...I find that I sweat my butt off on that thing but the one thing I notice is my left baby toe goes numb. Does anyone have an issue of their toes going numb? I have had several friends say the same thing. I thought it was my shoes being tied to tight but that doesn't seem to be it.

    I sometimes get some toe numbness myself, but it usually takes me 40+ minutes to develop that. It only happens once in a while and it could be shoes, but I've never really pinpointed it myself.
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    I love the elliptical...I find that I sweat my butt off on that thing but the one thing I notice is my left baby toe goes numb. Does anyone have an issue of their toes going numb? I have had several friends say the same thing. I thought it was my shoes being tied to tight but that doesn't seem to be it.

    I sometimes get some toe numbness myself, but it usually takes me 40+ minutes to develop that. It only happens once in a while and it could be shoes, but I've never really pinpointed it myself.

    I have an elliptical at home and I do it barefoot or with socks on often but I still would get that numbness. I think it could be from being on your toes and not staying totally flat.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I find elliptical machines an excellent workout.
    They don't jar your bones - running BADLY is more likely to do that.

    I have a severlyy damaged knee and the LACK of jarring impact is one of reasons I use them. Can get a far higher calorie burn from ellitiptical machine as I drive hard with my arms as well (try alternating hooked fingers/no thumb grasp and open palm so you can work both pulling and pushing muscles.

    I recently hit over 900 calories in an hour on an elliptical. Can do approx 700 calories on a bike but can't run for an hour.

    Loose laces or unlacing the top few holes of my trainers seems to prevent the pins and needles for me.
  • xidia
    xidia Posts: 606 Member
    There's no doubt for me that the elliptical is less efficient when used for endurance cardio - running is harder than elliptcal so if I want an endurance workout with max cals in min time, I'll run. However, used for short (10-15 min) sessions that really push the envelope, building muscle as well as CV, running simply can't give me the level of calorie burn and muscle fatigue that the elliptical does.

    So, horses for courses.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Last time I tried the elliptical was after my stress fracture in my fibula. I was just cleared to start running again, and running didn't bother it at all, but the elliptical made it feel like someone was trying to yank my foot off. It's just not a good range of motion for me.

    Since I don't belong to a gym, it's a moot point anyway.
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    Last time I tried the elliptical was after my stress fracture in my fibula. I was just cleared to start running again, and running didn't bother it at all, but the elliptical made it feel like someone was trying to yank my foot off. It's just not a good range of motion for me.

    Since I don't belong to a gym, it's a moot point anyway.
    Probably not a good thing to put in your Santa letter then?
  • saschka7
    saschka7 Posts: 577 Member
    This is interesting to me--I myself have never felt it was a natural movement either. I'll occasionally hop on the elliptical but it's not my go-to cardio machine workout. After about 10 minutes, my knees start to ache because the leg is never fully extended and is hingeing (is there such a word?) in a limited unnatural arc.

    I'm no expert or anatomy or physiology...but in my mind, even if running isn't fully extending the leg either (how funny would THAT look? :laugh: ) there's not a plate pushing back on the bottom of the foot like the pedals on an elliptical do. When running,a person bends/extends their legs in a way that is comfortable, not forced.

    But what do I know? :smile:
  • lauriem1966
    lauriem1966 Posts: 134 Member
    I took a few courses years ago in fitness theory and one of the teachers hate the elliptical because it wasn't a functional exercise - doing it often wasn't going to get you better an anything other than elliptical; won't make you a faster runner, a better skiier, etc....

    I think the elliptical is there for one reason...to burn calories. I find the sides of my feet kind of burn when I use it, so I don't use. I'd rather walk or run or do zumba for cardio.

    I don't see how it can hurt you, its much less jarring on your body - that's how it was designed - but I think its a personal choice if its for you or not.
  • IrishHarpy1
    IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member
    I call BS on this as well. My doctor recommended getting an elliptical machine to me because of my bad ankles and knees. I've had my NordicTrack for ten years now, and it is still running smoothly -- granted, the first few years of its existence in my house were spent as a coat rack and dust collector, but that's another story entirely...

    As far as running, I'd rather not. At least with my elliptical I can exercise in the climate-controlled comfort of my house and not have to contend with bad weather, traffic, dogs and other sundry critters, potholes in the road waiting to break my ankle (the reason I *have* bad knees/ankles in the first place), and prematurely aged/sagging skin due to the weather and the impact of running. There are way too many variables that can get in the way, and I prefer the consistency of my machine.

    I have lots of friends who are runners and love it, but it's just not for me.
  • lozadee
    lozadee Posts: 89 Member
    HA! I use this machine at the gym all the time but never knew it had a name! I fondly Christened it the, "Run like a deer" machine!

    I've wondered for ages what this elliptical I keep hearing is about! (I suspect I will stick to run like a deer but glad to link the information!

    As "A runner" I find I can push myself and feel a few more "good" aches from the elliptical and running I can only push myself so far. I'm going to suggest its personal preference :)
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    It's also called a "Cross-trainer" - probably because that's how it makes you feel when the person before you didn't wipe off their sweat, phlegm or other associated body-fluids.
  • rachmass1
    rachmass1 Posts: 470 Member
    Precor has a motion I like. The others I have tried not so much. I have degenerative discs and don't run anymore but do walk a lot on the treadmill. When I want to do HIIT I find the elliptical the best. Have been using a Precor for over ten years and have never hurt myself on it but certainly have hurt myself on the treadmill. One can be jarring while the other not. Don't know why it would be considered unnatural, feels comfortable at least to me.
  • mrso97
    mrso97 Posts: 147 Member
    i alternate the elliptical with running..i love the elliptical...just started running..its a different movement..but i LOVE to hate my elliptical~~~~
  • mrso97
    mrso97 Posts: 147 Member
    I love the elliptical...I find that I sweat my butt off on that thing but the one thing I notice is my left baby toe goes numb. Does anyone have an issue of their toes going numb? I have had several friends say the same thing. I thought it was my shoes being tied to tight but that doesn't seem to be it.
    my toes go numb..from what i have been told ...its normal..reposition your feet and it should get better
  • Kotuliak
    Kotuliak Posts: 259 Member
    Also, everything in moderation. During my typical 45 minute workout I change machines 2-3 times. The most I do on a single machine is 16 minutes. Not only it adds variety but it also minimizes impact on any particular muscle or joint.
  • suzywuzy90
    suzywuzy90 Posts: 20 Member
    I hate the "naturalness" of the pounding headeache I get from running or using the treadmill. But I love how the low impactedness of the elliptical enables me to exercise with no pain and for a significant amount of time.
  • neacail
    neacail Posts: 228 Member
    I find that an elliptical machine that fits my body well is a dream come true. One that doesn't fit is terrible. Usually, if a gym has a few different types of ellipticals, I can find one that works well for me. Otherwise, I skip them and use the treadmill.
  • Kifissia
    Kifissia Posts: 136
    I wouldn't say its bad but its more so a waste of time. You'll get a much better workout from running. Not to mention running is something you can do outside so its more enjoyable.

    If you're really heavy or already have knee problems I would start with walking before running. Also for knee problems you can add some strength work to make the surrounding muscles that support your knees stronger. With the right footwear, training and form you'd be able to run for life if you want. Some people say that running will always cause knee problems but I've never seen anyone prove it.

    My podiatrist, my primary care provider both said the same thing- elliptical is a very good start for those people with ankle and knee issues. It does not put nearly as much stress on the ankles and knees as the treadmill or walking/running in the real world.
    I also have skeletal issues and wear an orthotic. So- check with your doctor first. I had 100 lbs to lose and started walking, was in A LOT of pain in my knees, shins and calves. If I had listened to every personal trainer out there- I'd be in a hospital. Thanks to my podiatrist, I am losing weight, getting slowly into shape without injuring myself. I started on the elliptical. I will never be able to run. But I can now walk 4 miles in an hour and I can do more than one hour on the elliptical - WITH NO PAIN! Neither of which were feasible a year ago. I am only now incorporating weight training. Please see a doctor or a podiatrist. Each body is different and they can recommend what is best for you.

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