do ellipitical machines help tone and lose weight?

13

Replies

  • boodly
    boodly Posts: 3 Member
    Do you mind sharing which kind you have?
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    i dont want to join a gym because i know for a fact i wont be motavated to get ready and drive in the cold to go down there and then get embarrassed if im not doing the exercises right....

    also if i got a personal trainer its 150 for ONLY 3 SESSIONS no.... and its 35 dollars a month and 80 to start HELLLLL NO lol. way to expensive... i dont care if its not the same as running. i hate running lol...

    and the planet fitness in my state are like more than 30 minutes away..... i really want to find a machine that i will enjoy... so thats what i was asking... ahh now im starting to get discouraged.........

    ill keep my calories at 1200 a day... and ill start working out with a exercise program 4 times a week.. with ellipitical.. will this work
  • Spend $250 on sessions with a personal trainer, home ellipticals are nonsense.

    Why are home ellipticals nonsense? I was planning on buying one because its nearly impossible for me to get to the gym.
  • Charlie003
    Charlie003 Posts: 1,333 Member
    Do you mind sharing which kind you have?

    I have a Horizen E-5 I think. It is old now.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    i dont want to join a gym because i know for a fact i wont be motavated to get ready and drive in the cold to go down there and then get embarrassed if im not doing the exercises right....

    also if i got a personal trainer its 150 for ONLY 3 SESSIONS no.... and its 35 dollars a month and 80 to start HELLLLL NO lol. way to expensive... i dont care if its not the same as running. i hate running lol...

    and the planet fitness in my state are like more than 30 minutes away..... i really want to find a machine that i will enjoy... so thats what i was asking... ahh now im starting to get discouraged.........

    ill keep my calories at 1200 a day... and ill start working out with a exercise program 4 times a week.. with ellipitical.. will this work

    Try it and see. Will you lose weight? Yes. Will you tone up? Hard to say. Try it for a month and see what happens. Sounds like you've already got your mind made up anyways.
  • I have a friend who swears by her elliptical machine, I am more of a runner myself but do use one when my shins need a break. She lost quite a bit of weight while using one but she also switched her diet and weight trained. She strictly used it as her form of cardio. So if you decide to buy one look at the pros, easy on your joints, keeps you inside when weather is harsh, does improve your cardio, burns calories. Cons takes up a lot of space, may not be as hard of a cardion workout than other options.
    I think if you got one and combined it with strength/resistance training as well as a healthy diet you can reach your goals
  • sexygenius
    sexygenius Posts: 1,078 Member
    250 is like two years membership to planet fitness...that could be a much better buy
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    THANK YOU LADIES WHO HAVE USED THE MACHINE AND LOVE IT!!! i am going to buy one now!!! and yes probably start working out with jillian michaels 4 times a week.. YAY im excited!!!!! i hope i lose inches! i dont really mind about the weight i just want to lose inches.... ok im going to buy one FOR SURE....

    Seriously, must you waste your money? I used to love the elliptical. It would give me a high calorie burn, and my legs would be sore the next day. I was convinced I was getting an awesome workout. But my body didn't change much... My legs looked a bit nicer I guess, but it certainly didn't help my belly fat. You know what did? Doing compound movements with heavy weights three times a week, combined with a calorie deficit. I look better than your inspiration photo right now. So instead of picking and choosing the advice you want to hear, listen to people explaining the science behind getting the look you're trying to get.
    i saw ur tummy pic from the side and thats what i look like now with out exercise.... i like my inspiration pic because she has brought out her curves in the stomach... no offense but i LOVE my inspiration pic.. and her measurments are 32-24-34... its confusing when 50% are saying it works well and 50% are saying its trash.... im getting confused...
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    THANK YOU LADIES WHO HAVE USED THE MACHINE AND LOVE IT!!! i am going to buy one now!!! and yes probably start working out with jillian michaels 4 times a week.. YAY im excited!!!!! i hope i lose inches! i dont really mind about the weight i just want to lose inches.... ok im going to buy one FOR SURE....

    Seriously, must you waste your money? I used to love the elliptical. It would give me a high calorie burn, and my legs would be sore the next day. I was convinced I was getting an awesome workout. But my body didn't change much... My legs looked a bit nicer I guess, but it certainly didn't help my belly fat. You know what did? Doing compound movements with heavy weights three times a week, combined with a calorie deficit. I look better than your inspiration photo right now. So instead of picking and choosing the advice you want to hear, listen to people explaining the science behind getting the look you're trying to get.
    i saw ur tummy pic from the side and thats what i look like now with out exercise.... i like my inspiration pic because she has brought out her curves in the stomach... no offense but i LOVE my inspiration pic.. and her measurments are 32-24-34... its confusing when 50% are saying it works well and 50% are saying its trash.... im getting confused...

    go back and re-read my reply. get unconfused. it's not rocket science.
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    It increases your heart rate therefore its considered cardio.
    you can vamp up the incline and resistance to help with toning and losing weight.
    I lost weight years ago on just an elliptical alone using intervals and it worked just fine. It also helped me maintain my weight or close to it during my last pregnancy.
    Use it vigorously and youll see results.
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    I have a friend who swears by her elliptical machine, I am more of a runner myself but do use one when my shins need a break. She lost quite a bit of weight while using one but she also switched her diet and weight trained. She strictly used it as her form of cardio. So if you decide to buy one look at the pros, easy on your joints, keeps you inside when weather is harsh, does improve your cardio, burns calories. Cons takes up a lot of space, may not be as hard of a cardion workout than other options.
    I think if you got one and combined it with strength/resistance training as well as a healthy diet you can reach your goals
    ok thanks :) yes i am JUST lokin for a cardio machine and ill fill in the rest with working out to jillian
  • sailinjen
    sailinjen Posts: 103 Member
    When I first started going to a gym, all I did was eliptical and lost 20lbs....I now incorporate wights, running and classes to break up the boredom...good luck!!!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    THANK YOU LADIES WHO HAVE USED THE MACHINE AND LOVE IT!!! i am going to buy one now!!! and yes probably start working out with jillian michaels 4 times a week.. YAY im excited!!!!! i hope i lose inches! i dont really mind about the weight i just want to lose inches.... ok im going to buy one FOR SURE....

    Seriously, must you waste your money? I used to love the elliptical. It would give me a high calorie burn, and my legs would be sore the next day. I was convinced I was getting an awesome workout. But my body didn't change much... My legs looked a bit nicer I guess, but it certainly didn't help my belly fat. You know what did? Doing compound movements with heavy weights three times a week, combined with a calorie deficit. I look better than your inspiration photo right now. So instead of picking and choosing the advice you want to hear, listen to people explaining the science behind getting the look you're trying to get.
    i saw ur tummy pic from the side and thats what i look like now with out exercise.... i like my inspiration pic because she has brought out her curves in the stomach... no offense but i LOVE my inspiration pic.. and her measurments are 32-24-34... its confusing when 50% are saying it works well and 50% are saying its trash.... im getting confused...

    The people who are saying it's trash are saying that, by in large, because it's not the most effective/efficient way to a lower body fat %, which is basically what "toning" up means.

    So you can do what you want, or you can do what will be most effective. Does that mean the eliptical won't work? No, not necessarily. It may work, it may not. But in most cases, it won't work as well as strength training.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Weight loss comes from calorie deficit.
    Elliptical is an exercise machine. It provides you a cardio workout.
    Cardio is good for your heart.
    Toning up is a vague term that generally mean "reducing body fat"
    To reduce body fat, you have to maintain lean body mass, or minimize how much is lost
    Strength training and a good diet (good macros) is the best way to maintain lean body mass.

    Clear as mud?

    This^^^^ 1,000 times over, This^^^^

    I do cardio (some of which is on the elliptical) exclusively for heart health...30 minutes, 3 times per week. I lift 3x per week to tone/build (they're actually the same thing). If you're building, you are toning...if you are toning, you are building. The only way to build/tone is with resistance training. Will you get some benefits in this RE with an elliptical...yes, but very little and it will be pretty isolated....it's really not going to do anything much for your core which is essential for an awesome waist line. I don't know of a single soul who's ever gotten the body composition they've truly wanted through cardio alone, regardless of what machine or method they use...you have to lift.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    When my fiance gets his tax refund, we're getting an elliptical off of amazon. I don't like to run and I've never used an elliptical, so it might be just what I'm looking for. It's only 60 bucks, plus 44 for shipping so I'd say it's a good price! If we don't like it, we can always send it back.

    If you want an elliptical, go for it. There's no harm in trying something new.

    I agree with the folks who say that cheap gym equipment is not worth it. So unless you're getting a amazing deal...
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???
  • MrsJonSamuels
    MrsJonSamuels Posts: 53 Member
    I use an elliptical, and I see an over all difference. I see it in my legs, thighs, stomach and back. I use my arms alot when I'm on it.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    toning up = losing body fat to expose muscle that was covered up by fat
    losing fat = losing weight while retaining muscle
    losing weight = calorie deficit
    retaining muscle = heavy lifting + sufficient protein intake.

    So if a = b = c...

    toning up = a calorie deficit + heavy lifting + sufficient protein intake.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???

    HEAVY WEIGHTS. listen to people. Stop waiting to hear what you want to hear and start hearing what people are saying.
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    THANK YOU LADIES WHO HAVE USED THE MACHINE AND LOVE IT!!! i am going to buy one now!!! and yes probably start working out with jillian michaels 4 times a week.. YAY im excited!!!!! i hope i lose inches! i dont really mind about the weight i just want to lose inches.... ok im going to buy one FOR SURE....

    Seriously, must you waste your money? I used to love the elliptical. It would give me a high calorie burn, and my legs would be sore the next day. I was convinced I was getting an awesome workout. But my body didn't change much... My legs looked a bit nicer I guess, but it certainly didn't help my belly fat. You know what did? Doing compound movements with heavy weights three times a week, combined with a calorie deficit. I look better than your inspiration photo right now. So instead of picking and choosing the advice you want to hear, listen to people explaining the science behind getting the look you're trying to get.
    i saw ur tummy pic from the side and thats what i look like now with out exercise.... i like my inspiration pic because she has brought out her curves in the stomach... no offense but i LOVE my inspiration pic.. and her measurments are 32-24-34... its confusing when 50% are saying it works well and 50% are saying its trash.... im getting confused...

    That pic's old, pre-weights, and 2 inches larger in the waist than I am now. If you really want to see your body change, buy a weights set or follow a resistance training DVD workout. Cardio is important and you should do it, but spending $250 on an elliptical that will probably break in a month or two is probably not your best option considering where you are and how much you have to lose. Most of the people posting how much they love them have lost a considerable amount of weight, which is what those machines are designed to do best.
  • jedikrissy
    jedikrissy Posts: 106 Member
    Spend $250 on sessions with a personal trainer, home elliptical's are nonsense.

    I just have to say they are not nonsense!!!!! I have one and I used it 5 times a week and did yoga and what do you know, 50lbs of fat melted off me in a little less than 8 months!!! If you only have 10lbs to lose you will do it in no time. Also they are just a great way to stay active at home and stay in shape!
  • thedeegan4
    thedeegan4 Posts: 422 Member
    I despise the eliptical but I do it anyway because I know it's good cardio and works my butt :)
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???

    I am sorry I wasted any time replying in this thread. :ohwell:
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???

    HEAVY WEIGHTS. listen to people. Stop waiting to hear what you want to hear and start hearing what people are saying.
    so if i JUST do weights and no cardio..... ill lose the most fat?.....
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    I read that if you use the elliptical without holding onto the machine, and you try to balance on your own, and you go as fast as possible, it works out your abs.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    i dont want to join a gym because i know for a fact i wont be motavated to get ready and drive in the cold to go down there and then get embarrassed if im not doing the exercises right....

    also if i got a personal trainer its 150 for ONLY 3 SESSIONS no.... and its 35 dollars a month and 80 to start HELLLLL NO lol. way to expensive... i dont care if its not the same as running. i hate running lol...

    and the planet fitness in my state are like more than 30 minutes away..... i really want to find a machine that i will enjoy... so thats what i was asking... ahh now im starting to get discouraged.........

    ill keep my calories at 1200 a day... and ill start working out with a exercise program 4 times a week.. with ellipitical.. will this work

    If you stick to 1200 calories, work out on the elliptical for 60 minutes 5 to 6 times a week (starting with 4 is good), you should see results. Monitor your heart rate. If your machine doesn't have sensors, buy a heart rate monitor. Do not fool yourself about how hard you're working. Also do some resistance training with dumbbells.

    For me, the worst part of machines like ellipticals and treadmills is the boredom. I have a playlist, and yesterday, while still rehabilitating on a walking treadmill, I watched a TV show on my cell phone. That helped pass the time. But if I'm to push myself, I must have pounding music.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???

    HEAVY WEIGHTS. listen to people. Stop waiting to hear what you want to hear and start hearing what people are saying.
    so if i JUST do weights and no cardio..... ill lose the most fat?.....
    Assuming a reasonable calorie deficit, sufficient protein and heavy enough lifting, yes. if you insist on doing cardio, do HIIT.
  • rachelrb85
    rachelrb85 Posts: 579 Member
    1- They work out your whole body since you're moving your arms and legs and your torso is slightly twisting back and forth.

    2- Theoretically you burn calories doing this, but you only lose weight by eating a calorie deficit. I would imagine you could only "tone up" if you have the resistence setting on really high.

    3- Personally, I haven't seen any results using them and I've wasted years doing this. The only results I see on me is when I lift heavy weights. If you want to lower your body fat % I would recommend lifting over cardio any day.
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    i dont want to join a gym because i know for a fact i wont be motavated to get ready and drive in the cold to go down there and then get embarrassed if im not doing the exercises right....

    also if i got a personal trainer its 150 for ONLY 3 SESSIONS no.... and its 35 dollars a month and 80 to start HELLLLL NO lol. way to expensive... i dont care if its not the same as running. i hate running lol...

    and the planet fitness in my state are like more than 30 minutes away..... i really want to find a machine that i will enjoy... so thats what i was asking... ahh now im starting to get discouraged.........

    ill keep my calories at 1200 a day... and ill start working out with a exercise program 4 times a week.. with ellipitical.. will this work

    If you stick to 1200 calories, work out on the elliptical for 60 minutes 5 to 6 times a week (starting with 4 is good), you should see results. Monitor your heart rate. If your machine doesn't have sensors, buy a heart rate monitor. Do not fool yourself about how hard you're working. Also do some resistance training with dumbbells.

    For me, the worst part of machines like ellipticals and treadmills is the boredom. I have a playlist, and yesterday, while still rehabilitating on a walking treadmill, I watched a TV show on my cell phone. That helped pass the time. But if I'm to push myself, I must have pounding music.

    ok ill get some weights and an ellipitical... :) ill put it in front of the tv....
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    OK THAN WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MACHINE THAT I CAN USE? :) to help me lower body fat %???

    HEAVY WEIGHTS. listen to people. Stop waiting to hear what you want to hear and start hearing what people are saying.
    so if i JUST do weights and no cardio..... ill lose the most fat?.....

    No, cardio helps, too. Still, the best way to lose fat is to create a calorie deficit with the right, healthy diet.

    Ab exercises will make you abs strong and are good for your back (they provide support), but they won't be evident if you have a lot of excess fat in your gut.