Arc Trainer vs Elliptical

SamanthaSpade831
SamanthaSpade831 Posts: 7
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been going to the gym everyday since the new year began and I've been working out on the elliptical a lot. But I noticed that my knee begins to hurt after a while (I've had two knee surgeries in the past 6 years). I've been reading up about ellipticals and came across arc trainers they seem like they're less strenuous on the joints. What makes them better than ellipticals?

Replies

  • Preesy
    Preesy Posts: 37
    I am by no means an expert on the topic, but I was curious about the difference in the two when I first joined my gym so I did a bit of research online and found the main difference for the two (I have knee problems as well) is that the elliptical requires you to push forward for a very short duration to complete the rotation. In the time that your foot/leg is pushing forward your knee will have additional stress which in those of us who do have weak knees or problems with our knees may cause a strain or discomfort. By comparison the arc trainer does not have the forward stress the elliptical does and is (supposedly) more knee friendly.

    Personally I enjoy the elliptical more than the arc, but then I'm still not in perfect shape and the arc trainer gets my leg muscles aching after 5-10 minutes depending on the resistance I use. I can go 30-45 on the elliptical before I start really feeling the strain, so I opt for the longer workout.

    If that didn't make any sense or if you want a clearer description try searching on Youtube for elliptical vs arc trainer. I think the one I found was put together for True or Cybex - but it has been several months now so I may be mis-remembering.
  • SamanthaSpade831
    SamanthaSpade831 Posts: 7
    Thank you! I'll have to look into that. My main concern was the knee pain after about 25 mins my knee starts to hurt. I was wondering if anybody else had this problem with elliptical and if the arc trainer would be better. I'll have to try the arc trainer next time and see.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    I've been going to the gym everyday since the new year began and I've been working out on the elliptical a lot. But I noticed that my knee begins to hurt after a while (I've had two knee surgeries in the past 6 years). I've been reading up about ellipticals and came across arc trainers they seem like they're less strenuous on the joints. What makes them better than ellipticals?

    idk, i find them nearly identical.

    I hurt my back doing the eliptical daily for nearly an hour over the course of several months. Personally i avoid any piece of cardio equipment that locks you into a plane of motion, but many (perhaps most) don't have this issue. I also kept going for months with the pain which was stupid and did not help. now its a chronic thing.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Does your club have different brands of ellipticals?

    Every manufacturer has a different movement design for their elliptical cross trainers--in fact some will have a different movement between models. Some are flatter, some are more round. So, in addition to the Arc Trainer, you can try different ellipticals, if that is an option.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    My mom had two knee's replaced and she finds the elliptical a lot better for her knees and that they don't hurt as much.

    There are different types of ellipticals though. At my new gym they have the traditional ones, ones that go side to side(almost like skiing) and one that is an elliptical/stair stepper/arc trainer all in one.
  • sandi117
    sandi117 Posts: 445 Member
    Thank you! I'll have to look into that. My main concern was the knee pain after about 25 mins my knee starts to hurt. I was wondering if anybody else had this problem with elliptical and if the arc trainer would be better. I'll have to try the arc trainer next time and see.

    I personally LOVE the arc trainer because my knees DON'T hurt. I generally can't do the elliptical because my knees start bothering me. I tried the arc trainer for the first time the other week and it's fabulous! I also enjoy the fact that you can change the incline and focus on/target difference leg muscles. (Lower incline = almost a walking-like motion, works the calves more; Higher incline = high knees, works the quads more.) I was seriously on that thing for an hour today, DRIPPING sweat, and burned 655 calories. My resistance is still quite low, but I'm working into it slowly because I use it on my "off days" from C25K, which is probably why I lasted for so long.

    Good luck in finding something that works for you!
  • notthatthis
    notthatthis Posts: 218
    Firstly, are you using the ellptical correctly? Please describe what you do with your foot to maintain motion. Are you going for speed or resistance to raise your heart rate?

    And, as someone else said, you don't need cardio machines to do cardio - if the knees are going to be a problem perhaps see a functional therapist to get exercise advice.

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