elliptical is bad..?
ohheyy125
Posts: 295 Member
A girl I know who is studying to get her personal training certificate said the elliptical is bad because it's not a natural movement and will hurt your bones? But I also heard the elliptical is better than running because it's easier on your bones/joints ? Whats the truth?
0
Replies
-
I'd be interested in this, too. Running, even on a treadmill, or doing stairs hurts my knees and isn't comfortable for my boob size, even double-bra'd. (Can we say "giving yourself a black eye?") I love ellipticals, but have had friends say they aren't a good workout. They feel good, though....0
-
I don't know scientifically, but what I do know for me is...it's 50/50. I have tendinitis in my knees, and I'm still quite heavy with small knees, calves, and ankles for my size. I also have tibial torsion. This creates a lot of pressure that hurts my knees and ankles at high impacts like running, so sometimes the elliptical is what feels better.
But on the other side, the repetitive motion can hurt my knees if I'm too close to a tendinitis flare up. I've found that as long as I don't do the same cardio every time, it doesn't hurt. Also, I can't usually go more than 40 minutes on any one machines, especially the ellipticals. I wear a HRM during all my workouts, and the elliptical is the easiest to maintain at the rate I want to be at, though. So it's just about weighing the pros and cons for each person.0 -
I heard that from Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) say it wasn't a natural movement. My sister loves it because it is so much easier on her knees.0
-
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.0 -
have had 13 knee surgeries with some plastic and metal screwed and cemented in there. running is out of the question for me. love my elliptical. great workout as long as you push yourself. doesn't hurt my knees one bit. not sure whats so unnatural about the movement...0
-
The only thing I've heard bad about ellipticals is not to use a cheap one and make sure the stride length is right for you. You want the motion to be front to back, not side to side. Cheap machines tend to not be very stable and get sideways motion going and the same thing happens if the stride length is too long. You should be doing a motion that's almost like riding a bike standing up. Sort of a pedaling motion.0
-
The ArcTrainer is excellent. It was invented to rehab knee injuries.
As for other ellipticals, I had to tweak the settings to make it comfortable. I couldn't handle too steep an angle on it.0 -
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.
I disagree. I find that I get a more consistant calorie burn on the elliptical, as with running I cannot maintain a speed that puts my heart rate in a good spot for fat burning. Also, I do not find running enjoyable at all. Whether it's inside or outside. It's about preference. You don't have to run to do cardio effectively.0 -
I have artificial hips and one artificial knee - the elliptical (or cross-trainer) is much easier on my knees than the impact of jogging or even fast walking.
The movement is no more unnatural than a ski-machine. Does anyone ban skiing because it is unnatural to tie planks to your feet and then try to stay upright, let alone actually go anywhere?
Ask them to define "unnatural"
If it hurts, don't do it. Don't not do it because someone says it might.?
Ask them for their peer-reviewed evidence base?
Do you think she is likely to pass her exams?0 -
There are a variety of different elliptical machines - some feel natural others do not.
I have a large gait so I need a machine that either provides a good long ski-like gait or a short step slider set to steep. Some machines are certainly not good and do generate pain.But to put all machines in the same group is silly.0 -
It all depends on how it is used. If it is misused...ouch. I fractured my left foot using an elliptical trainer 3 years ago. It never fully healed. Both things are because I am 100 pounds overweight. I was grooving away on the thing and really got going and went up on my tippy toes and craaaack! Owie. Being somewhat oblivious to pain, I went for a 5km walk later that day. When the pain didn't go away within 3 weeks [I thought it was a sprain], I finally had it scanned. Fractured navicular. Because I waited too long to have it casted and because I'm heavy, it never healed properly. It still hurts from time to time, in spite of excellent physio, orthotics and shoes.
Running is not an option for everyone. My knees are shot. I would not, could not run more than 50 feet to save my life. In spite of my experience, the elliptical trainer is still my 'go to' cardio machine. As long as you keep your feet as flat as possible on the pads and maintain your awareness...no worries. My heart gets a workout and my knees get strengthened, rather than pounded.
Hollycat:flowerforyou:0 -
A girl I know who is studying to get her personal training certificate said the elliptical is bad because it's not a natural movement and will hurt your bones? But I also heard the elliptical is better than running because it's easier on your bones/joints ? Whats the truth?
I've never heard that an elliptical was bad for you. It might not be the most efficient way to meet certain goals. Like anything, if you did it 12 hours a day, it might not be ideal.
I'm more curious about what organization's trainer cert material is claiming this.0 -
I don't know scientifically, but what I do know for me is...it's 50/50. I have tendinitis in my knees, and I'm still quite heavy with small knees, calves, and ankles for my size. I also have tibial torsion. This creates a lot of pressure that hurts my knees and ankles at high impacts like running, so sometimes the elliptical is what feels better.
But on the other side, the repetitive motion can hurt my knees if I'm too close to a tendinitis flare up. I've found that as long as I don't do the same cardio every time, it doesn't hurt. Also, I can't usually go more than 40 minutes on any one machines, especially the ellipticals. I wear a HRM during all my workouts, and the elliptical is the easiest to maintain at the rate I want to be at, though. So it's just about weighing the pros and cons for each person.
It's possible that you're not yet at a fitness level where you are able to run effectively then.
No one said you can only run too, its just a better workout than an elliptical I was only mentioning. You can burn more calories running in less time than you can on the elliptical since you're constrained by the limits of the machine. And there's no way to tell what a consistent calorie burn is since everything can only give you an estimate (which is way off if you're going by what a machine says). Unless you do every workout hooked up to machines monitoring your oxygen intake on a regular basis.0 -
I love the ellipticals at the gym. They have two kinds....one of them fits my stride perfectly. I get a cardio workout without my poor old knees hurting. If that's wrong, well, as the song goes, I don't want to be right.0
-
I'm a runner, of sorts, but I gotta say: not everyone enjoys working out outside...that's more of a preference.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.0 -
I'm a runner, of sorts, but I gotta say: not everyone enjoys working out outside...that's more of a preference.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.
But at least its good to have the option. Sometimes the gym is closed or you get tired of staring at the wall or watching the same shows on the gym tvs. It sucks to say "oh i have to take a day off because the gym is closed for (insert holiday)"
Then again, I like being on a schedule personally so it doesn't really matter where I workout it just matters that I can stick to my plan consistently.0 -
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.
I disagree. I find that I get a more consistant calorie burn on the elliptical, as with running I cannot maintain a speed that puts my heart rate in a good spot for fat burning. Also, I do not find running enjoyable at all. Whether it's inside or outside. It's about preference. You don't have to run to do cardio effectively.
Me too, The elliptical is a really good workout for me..I can barely walk after0 -
Right, I love the option. I run outside sometimes, inside sometimes. Just depends on my mood, my schedule....
I'm a runner, of sorts, but I gotta say: not everyone enjoys working out outside...that's more of a preference.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.
But at least its good to have the option. Sometimes the gym is closed or you get tired of staring at the wall or watching the same shows on the gym tvs. It sucks to say "oh i have to take a day off because the gym is closed for (insert holiday)"
Then again, I like being on a schedule personally so it doesn't really matter where I workout it just matters that I can stick to my plan consistently.0 -
Just going to throw out a plug for the bikes! it's not just about treadies vs ellipses!
Carry on.0 -
If it weren't for the bikes then life would be terminally boring.
My hips preclude bending 90 degrees so rowing machines are out ever since they were blamed as the cause of one hip dislocating.
My usual workout consists of half an hour each on treadmill walking 5 to 7 kph uphill (minus dog) , cross-trainer and bike (recumbent or normal) interspersed with weight machines (prostheses preclude free weights unless rather low weight)
I do not exercise to exhaustion but prefer to go for multiple repetitions of sets of 15.
Working until "unable to walk" at the end does no good for morale nor muscle tone nor enjoyment of working those muscles which do not get flexed during my working day. My work requires small movements with intense concentration and control. It is good to let rip now and again but the workplace is just not appropriate to do it in my case.0 -
I've been studying ACE Certification myself and I don't recall reading anything damning elliptical trainers. I would definitely say you want a good machine to work out on, and it is definitely a preference thing. I find I am on the elliptical versus the treadmill at about a 5:1 ratio - I'm not a fan of steady state cardio on treadmills and prefer intervals, but there's only so much my ankles can really do on the treadmill before they start to burn like no other. It sucks because it makes it almost impossible to challenge my cardiovascular system in that manner.
Elliptical, however.. I never have an issue with it, and I find it much easier to put yourself into a zone; I usually do intervals on it as well, aiming for a 150-160 heart rate for three minutes at a time and then spiking to 170-180 every fourth minute.
Worst risk factor I can think of on elliptical, assuming a good machine, is repetitive stress injury.0 -
i dont understand the idea that's not a natural movement. the fact that you're able to do it without having break yourself in half means it's natural .
i think your friend need to work on her logic skills...
with that said elliptical is boring to me and that's bad :laugh:0 -
I notice sometimes the arches of my feet hurt after I use an elliptical.. but that probably just means I need better shoes. Otherwise I don't see how it would be detrimental. My knees and feet hurt when I actually run but my knees are fine on the elliptical.0
-
Just fear mongering in my opinion. If you get injured then stop, otherwise no reason to not continue if you like it.0
-
Your friend is misinformed. It's very EASY on the joints because it is a weight bearing exercise (meaning you're upright, which is BENEFICIAL for bone density) with virtually no impact. The lack of impact makes it a bit easier than running, which is why you can't go from 30 mins @ 6mph on the elliptical to being able to run for 30 min @6 mph. But especially for people with joint issues or who are rehabbing an injury- it's great.
I think you'll find most people eventually outgrow the elliptical, but there is certainly nothing *wrong* with it or *harmful* about it as a form of cardio exercise.0 -
First time I used an elliptical, I found it hurt my knees... did not stay on it long; after a while though, I found I could stay on it up to an hour. Seemed to give me a pretty good workout. Had to get my weight down before I could do much of anything.0
-
The original statement is wrong and so are a lot of the comments.
First of all, there is no such thing as "the elliptical". Of all types of cardio equipment, elliptical cross trainers have -- by far-- the greatest variety of movement designs. Every manufacturer has a different movement design for their particular machine. No two are alike. So it is impossible and ignorant to ascribe characteristics (e.g. "it will hurt your knees") that are applicable to ALL elliptical cross trainers.
"The elliptical is not a natural movement": this may be true for some models, but, overall, it is false. Life Fitness does extensive biomechanical research and movement design for the cross trainer they manufacture. When you look at video of the 3D modeling, the gait and movement are designed to be very similar to running.
"You can't work as hard on an elliptical": maybe true for some cheap-*kitten* informerical crap, but commercial cross trainers have a range of workloads that exceed the upper limits of human work capacity.
For any cardio exercise, HOW you do the exercise is much more important than WHAT you do. Some movements (swimming or cycling for example) may have a longer learning curve for mastering the technique or developing the specific muscle endurance needed for peak performance, but they can all have positive benefits.
Every type of exercise modality has its strengths and weaknesses, and may not be suitable for some individuals. From a physiological standpoint, however, there is little justification for dismissing any type of exercise.0 -
Interesting, my chiropractor also told me several years ago that the elliptical trainers are not the greatest choice because they are an unnatural range of motion. I personally have bad hips/lower back, so i'm not sure if that's something she took into account when she told me that, meaning that it was a bad choice for me specifically. Having said that, I DO still use the elliptical when I go to the gym, generally not for longer than 30 minutes as I do notice it hurts me if I push it longer than that, but I think as long as you listen to your body it's fine.0
-
Anything that gets your butts off the sofa and moving until you sweat is gonna be good!0
-
The original statement is wrong and so are a lot of the comments.
First of all, there is no such thing as "the elliptical". Of all types of cardio equipment, elliptical cross trainers have -- by far-- the greatest variety of movement designs. Every manufacturer has a different movement design for their particular machine. No two are alike. So it is impossible and ignorant to ascribe characteristics (e.g. "it will hurt your knees") that are applicable to ALL elliptical cross trainers.
"The elliptical is not a natural movement": this may be true for some models, but, overall, it is false. Life Fitness does extensive biomechanical research and movement design for the cross trainer they manufacture. When you look at video of the 3D modeling, the gait and movement are designed to be very similar to running.
"You can't work as hard on an elliptical": maybe true for some cheap-*kitten* informerical crap, but commercial cross trainers have a range of workloads that exceed the upper limits of human work capacity.
For any cardio exercise, HOW you do the exercise is much more important than WHAT you do. Some movements (swimming or cycling for example) may have a longer learning curve for mastering the technique or developing the specific muscle endurance needed for peak performance, but they can all have positive benefits.
Every type of exercise modality has its strengths and weaknesses, and may not be suitable for some individuals. From a physiological standpoint, however, there is little justification for dismissing any type of exercise.
THANK YOU!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions