Burning Quads on the Elliptical

salemnye

So I've been at this for a week. Lost focus then came back. I go to my apartment's gym and there I use the elliptical because it gets my heart rate up faster than the treadmill.

So I aim for 5 days a week. Sunday I took a rest day (worked wonders for my arms. I am also doing upper body strength training) and went back again on Monday. My quads were BURNING after a mere 1 minute back on the elliptical. I took a short water break at the 5 min mark and went back on for another 12 minutes.

Same thing happened the next day except the burn started at 30 seconds and I could only do 15 min before I had enough (15 min is my usual time on the elliptical but I try to do more). Took a rest day today to try and help.

Any way to solve hurting quads?

No I don't stretch after because when I start to walk around (to the weights) they feel fine. I know, dumb move I'll stretch tomorrow when I work out.

mountaingirl2207

What resistance are you setting it at? I spend a lot of time on the elliptical and love it. I also lift heavy, so my legs are often sore. There have been many workouts where my quads hurt and I feel like I can't continue, but I push through it and it eventually goes away once the muscles get warmed up. I suspect you're not giving it enough time, or you're trying too much resistance for your fitness level.

sorryfrench

Your resistance level might be too high. Maybe alternate between low and high resistance levels to help your quads out.

salemnye

I have it on the hill setting at level 1.

Didn't think it was THAT much of a resistance.

salemnye

Bump for answers please!!!!!!

Should I just switch to running outside (I am trying to train for my 10k in early June as well as get fit)