Going backwards on the elliptical

fiendiish
fiendiish Posts: 186
edited September 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone every do this? I tried it today and wow...it hurts LOL! From what I'm gathering you're supposed to do the same amount backward that you did forward. I'm not sure I could do that :noway: :laugh:

Replies

  • shanerylee
    shanerylee Posts: 298 Member
    im wondering the same, I see people do it all the time and wondered.
  • wendytobin
    wendytobin Posts: 208
    I've done it as a warm up and cool down, but not for long.

    i understand its supposed to work different muscles in your legs.

    i think i would prefer going forward, sometimes thats hard in itself. LOL!!
  • jkohan
    jkohan Posts: 184 Member
    I go backwards for 1 minute every 10 minutes during a 40 min workout--so 3x for 1 minute....It's good for the hamstrings!
  • linedawg
    linedawg Posts: 49 Member
    I wanted to know the same, other than working out different parts of your legs is there any other benefit to walking backwards on it?
  • busymom74
    busymom74 Posts: 3,341 Member
    I've always wondered why people do this. I've never tried it myself though!
  • onyxlibra7
    onyxlibra7 Posts: 93
    I go backwards...but it's definitely not equal to the amount I go forward.lol Just depends on what course ur doing. =D
  • raelbee
    raelbee Posts: 219 Member
    I do the first half of my workout backwards (it's more difficult, so I want to get it over first!), and the second half forwards. When we bought our elliptical the manual stated that going backwards works the backs of your legs, going forwards works the front part. I need help on both, so split my workout in half.
  • MFPfriend
    MFPfriend Posts: 1,121 Member
    Going backwards really really works out your calves and hamstrings. When I first got on an elliptical, I did it backwards and thought "Holy crap, this is really hard!" until a trainer told me I was going backwards.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    Going backwards works your a$$ets so you don't necessarily have to do the same amount as going forward. I used to try backwards but then I found out it's for your butt and figured I've got enough help going forward and from running, so I just stopped doing it.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    Lol, I do this all the time! I find that there is less pressure on my knees when I go backwards, so when I'm going forward and they start to ache or I feel like I need a break, I go backwards instead of stopping. I always thought it was easier though, hummm :ohwell:
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I do the same amount backwards as I do forwards. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad.
  • Allibaba
    Allibaba Posts: 457 Member
    I like to mix it up by switching the direction, like everyone said, it works different muscles so I find it a nice break to switch it up.
  • JenniferH81
    JenniferH81 Posts: 285 Member
    ...I dont have an elliptical, however I cant even walk 10 steps without tripping over myself. backwards?? I so dont see that happening. lol
  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    I alternate every 5 minutes. Forward for 5 then backwards for 5 then start all over again. It breaks the monotony as well
  • cotton1985
    cotton1985 Posts: 11 Member
    I did the crosstraining course on the elliptical today and it directs you to go forward and backward! It was hard I was sweating like a pig but I got through it! It was worth it I feel great!
  • amruden
    amruden Posts: 228 Member
    I just did this for the 1st time, 5 mins.

    Man..I'm going to feel it tomorrow.
  • katwoman1980
    katwoman1980 Posts: 1 Member
    i did this today during my cool down and i felt like the back of my legs and thighs were really worked :)
  • 1MoreRep91
    1MoreRep91 Posts: 28
    Do this on a treadmill with a steep incline. Works wonders!
  • NJL13500
    NJL13500 Posts: 433 Member
    I change my direction every 10 minutes for the hour I do the elliptical to fight boredom and work different muscles.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    I do backwards once in a while, it's a nice way to shock them leg muscles since going backwards hits different ones.
  • Kalona388
    Kalona388 Posts: 82
    I try to split my time on the elliptical, I normally go backwards for 3-5 minutes and then forwards for 3-5 minutes, then I repeat for like 45-60minutes depending on the day. I make sure to do it at different levels of incline too, that way it really works the muscles! It was definitely an adjustment to get used to, but now I can't imagine only going forwards on the elliptical. :)
  • Agator82
    Agator82 Posts: 249 Member
    I do 'reverse mode' at the gym simply to break the monotony of the elliptical. Just like I do the elliptical to get a break from the treadmill. 5 minutes forward 2 minutes reverse.
  • SupernovaLeon
    SupernovaLeon Posts: 37
    I just did a few mins backwards and it's given my legs an amazing breath of life! Great workout!
  • ohenry78
    ohenry78 Posts: 228
    I've done this as well. It works the different muscles, and it stops you from getting in too much of a groove -- you have to pay a bit of attention and such :)
  • angelicscars
    angelicscars Posts: 44 Member
    I do 30 mins and alternate 5 mins forward, 5 mins back. Great workout! :)
  • JJinWI
    JJinWI Posts: 197 Member
    I do a 60 minute elliptical workout - 30 minutes forward. Second half, I alternate going forward/backward in one minute intervals. I set a hill program at the start and make sure my backward intervals are on the higher resistance hills. Ironically, it is easier going backwards on a higher resistance - at least for me. It''s a killer workout, but I seem to get a second wind around 55 minutes!
  • jhohler999
    jhohler999 Posts: 1
    I find it a lot easier to go backwards rather than forwards, which feels like I'm pedaling through mud.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Do this on a treadmill with a steep incline. Works wonders!

    I used to do this quiet a bit- 1/4 mile forward 1/4 mile backward 1/4 mile forward 1/4 backward.

    worst mile walk on an incline EVER. Seriously.
  • Cheekies_
    Cheekies_ Posts: 319 Member
    What?! You mean to tell me that going backwards will work my a$$et?! DONE!
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