Newbie on Arc Trainer

jagator1977
jagator1977 Posts: 4 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I started running the first of the year (not a new years resolution, but the new year just happened to coincide with the time that I decided I needed to do something about my health). Anyway, I got a stress fracture just below my knee (same thing happened 5 years ago when I started running). So, I figured running is not for me. I joined a gym the other day and have been doing a combination of weight training and cardio. Today I tried the arc trainer and my thighs were burning so bad after just 2-3 minutes that I had to stop. I decided to go ahead and get some weight training in so I did that for awhile. Then the recumbent bike for about 10 minutes. Then I tried the elliptical and ran into the same issue I had on the arc trainer.

I know I'm very, very, very out of shape, but 2-3 minutes!! I'm wondering if I'm doing it wrong or am I really just that out of shape. I figure I'll just continue at it and improve little by little, but 2-3 minutes is doing nothing for my cardio. I suppose for the time being I can work my cardio on the recumbent bike after I give a try a few minutes on the arc trainer.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so is there something I can do other than the basis leg workout stuff to help me along in the process? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Replies

  • atrebor18
    atrebor18 Posts: 235 Member
    I personally love the arc climber since I'm a terrible runner! If you are having a hard time I would suggest looking at what the resistance and incline are set at because there is a lot of variation it can do. Make sure they are set low when you start. I usually use its interval or hills programs and when the resistance and/or incline are up high its really hard!!
  • jagator1977
    jagator1977 Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks for the info. I set it on level 2 for the fat burning program. I guess I'll try level 1 next time and start from there. It definitely uses alot different muscles than running does so I will just have to build those up.

    For now people will be happy I'm off the machine in 5 minutes so they can use it!

    Thanks again!
  • Rawr1978
    Rawr1978 Posts: 245 Member
    I loooooove the arc trainer, i miss it since ive dropped the gym. I could go on that thing for at least a half hour...then i found out i could do that because i was neglecting to put any resistance on it *shamefaced*
  • san0322
    san0322 Posts: 58 Member
    I love the arc trainer! The very first time I tried it out I was amazed at how much my legs were burning as well. I only lasted 5 minutes and my legs felt like jello afterwards. However, it has incredible payoff for calories burned. Just stick with it! Even now, when I'm able to do 30+ mins, I find that sometimes my legs don't feel too into it. For me, it becomes easier after I hit the 4 minute mark.
  • jagator1977
    jagator1977 Posts: 4 Member
    Well, it was certainly a humbling experience getting on the arc trainer about 10 minutes after other people and then have to stop and watch them go on for another half hour.
  • jagator1977
    jagator1977 Posts: 4 Member
    Yeah, I've got a fairly high pain tolerance, but I literally couldn't go any longer. Looks like I'm just going to have try it again on level 1. I'll get where I want to be at some point....baby steps! I think trying to go too hard too quickly is why I got the stress fractures from running in the first place.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    The arc trainer is a favorite of mine. You probably had a really high resistance. Maybe just use the quickstart function.
  • tageekly
    tageekly Posts: 3,755 Member
    I consider myself to be in decent cardio shape but the Arc Trainer kicks my rear after about 5 minutes. Definitely don't get cocky and increase any of the resistance or stride - keep it low and build up. I started on the elliptical to build up some stamina and then got on the Arc. Good luck! :-)
  • cindyhoney2
    cindyhoney2 Posts: 603 Member
    I agree to start out really low resistance and levels. I bought an elliptical a few years ago and started on 0% resistance and just walked, now I do 20% incline and 14-20 level. I don't recall having any specific leg pain other than my calfs hurting me sometimes. Does your gym have a trainer to make sure you're doing it right, although I have a hard time imagining you doing it incorrectly. You pretty much get on and go. I did the arc trainer for 45 mins once, just once, lol. 30 is my limit now. Good luck :)
  • Dsnyfrk921
    Dsnyfrk921 Posts: 64 Member
    I had the same problem with the arc trainer. I only lasted 3 minutes the first time I tried it. I hated that machine!!

    Now, I love it! You just have to keep going. Every time you use the machine, you'll be able to go farther and farther. I can now do up to 35 minutes!

    Same thing with the Elliptical machine.

    Good luck! Don't give up just yet.
  • glenette1
    glenette1 Posts: 140 Member
    What everyone else said, don't give up. It was hard for me at first too. I've worked my way up to 60 minutes over time but even now, the first five minutes are the worst and then it gets easier after that. I think it's just the body getting used to the sudden surge in activity and takes a while to become efficient. Maybe if you can push through a couple more minutes on level one it will ease up. That's my experience.


    * I just realized this is a very old post, so I'm sure you've got your answer now. Hope it's going well.*

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