Elliptical: What Is it?

ThatDarnZach
ThatDarnZach Posts: 52 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So I was at the gym on the elliptical when I realized I didn't know what I was doing. Not that I didn't know how to use the elliptical, but I began wondering what sort of kinesthetic exercise the elliptical most closely resembles. Is it running? Is it climbing? Is this a dumb question?

Replies

  • MonicaFlachman
    MonicaFlachman Posts: 64
    It is designed to be like a whole bunch of exercises in one. They actually advertise it as replacing the tredmill, stair stepper, ect.... Kinda like a 2 in 1 kinda deal
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    Cross-country skiing?
  • WendyFitMomCHANGED
    WendyFitMomCHANGED Posts: 311 Member
    I like how the ad I see on the right is for an Elliptical machine next to this post. :)
  • kwin91
    kwin91 Posts: 128
    Oh my gosh! I had the same thought yesterday because I had never used it before!! I didn't end up liking it though, I didn't feel like I was using it right, or that it was as effective as running...
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    It resembles all those things in the same way that the Internet and a box of tissues resembles a night with a supermodel. They both sort of get you to the same place, I guess.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    It resembles all those things in the same way that the Internet and a box of tissues resembles a night with a supermodel. They both sort of get you to the same place, I guess.

    :laugh: Oh my god, crying at the above comment
  • LuckyCheryl
    LuckyCheryl Posts: 71 Member
    Its to take the place of running. It is supposed to be easier on the knees. You can set the level to climb like the stair stepper. Try the Arc Trainer as it is also an all around machine .
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    So I was at the gym on the elliptical when I realized I didn't know what I was doing. Not that I didn't know how to use the elliptical, but I began wondering what sort of kinesthetic exercise the elliptical most closely resembles. Is it running? Is it climbing? Is this a dumb question?

    There are no dumb questions, just dumb people. ;)
  • mariapuhl
    mariapuhl Posts: 529 Member
    I feel like the elliptical is best for people like me, who have weak ankles/other body part. My ankles twist in running.... I have glass ankles, no joke. I can twist them just by standing. So "running" on the elliptical with a high resistance, I get the same workout as I would running - but without the constant ankle slamming against the ground motion of running - and so I don't twist it. So for me, it's by far the best machine. Others though, might do better with running.
  • AngieSchaible
    AngieSchaible Posts: 84 Member
    I was pretty much wondering if I was using my Elliptical right so I ran a search on the right way to use an elliptical.

    An found this handy article on live strong http://www.livestrong.com/article/297088-the-proper-way-to-use-an-elliptical/

    Thanks to that I learned I wasn't doing it 100% correctly .


    It might help you too.
  • ThatDarnZach
    ThatDarnZach Posts: 52 Member
    To clarify, I definitely know how to use an elliptical. I was just curious as to what it might equate to. It's definitely my primary cardio and I've been pretty successful with it ;)
  • vtachycardia
    vtachycardia Posts: 374
    To clarify, I definitely know how to use an elliptical. I was just curious as to what it might equate to. It's definitely my primary cardio and I've been pretty successful with it ;)

    It doesn't equate to anything, it is what it is. A machine designed to target upper and lower body or just upper body or just lower body. And then the ability to change the direction joints move in, going backwards. Spin, Bike, Treadmill, Rower,cannot do what an elliptical does.

    If you are using a life fitness model with the "X-train +" feature give that program a try and it pretty much runs through the ellipticals capabilities.

    For me I thought I knew how to use one, but after watching two super fit guys in the gym, I realised that I was going for speed and it is the resistance that matters - the Wattage not the speed and then of course the cardio impact that resistance generates rather than going 10mph for 60 minutes and not breaking a sweat. 5mph at a gruelling resistance will challenge you.
  • Chrisswa
    Chrisswa Posts: 71
    I have recently starting using the Elliptical trainer at my local YMCA after hurting my calf muscle in one of the group fitness classes. I am pretty impressed with it ... I am sweating almost straight away and can burn a good 600 calories in 80 mins. I must admit i warm my body up first then turn up the resistance up full bore and go for it. I may not look like i am going fast but i know i am working hard as my heartrate sits around 140+ on it :)
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