Does the elliptical hurt anyone else's knees?

Yes! No one ever believes me when I say the elliptical hurts me more! I've switched to cycling on the stationary bikes, no more pain.

There are certain types of ellipticals that really kill my knees and others that I could spend 3 hours on and have no problems. The one in my apartment's gym kind of aims downward with the normal incline. That's the type that hurts me. At the normal gym I go to, they have nicer ones that have a general upward incline. Love those. The incline I'm talking about is not the one you can set yourself (not 100% sure how to explain that, but just the way the machine is set up).

I am surprised you can run on a treadmill though without any knee issues! That's very interesting to me.

:grumble: I get numb toes

I also have trouble with my feet getting numb so I'm going to some of the tips I've found here! Thanks!

I started using the ellipital last summer following recovery from knee surgery. My physical therapist encouraged me to use it along with the incumbent bike to help stengthen the muscles that support knee movement. I was instructed to work on building my quads to help as well. I followed the advice as instructed and my knees feel stronger than ever.

OP, you've received some great advice in this thread! Even tips I've never heard of and that I'm going to apply to my own workouts!

Thanks to all of you for your helpful replies!

I agree with the posts that have recommended putting your weight in your heels. Also push off with weight in your heels - get those glutes firing and accomplishing a good part of the push off. Be careful though not to hyper-extend. I've got a major bum knee (reconstructed ACL that is now impinged and multiple cartilage tears and repairs). Stairs have been very painful for me until I started doing a lot of lunges in which I really drop into my heels and push off with weight in my heels. When I go up stairs I push off with weight in my heels and have noticed a huge difference...no more pain! I apply this to the elliptical. Also, try really focusing on using your core as you engage in each step. Contract your obliques as you move each leg forward (does that make sense?!). This will take some of the work out of your knees too.

As for numb toes and feet, I've been able to remedy this somewhat by really keeping my toes moving every couple of minutes - i.e. by flexing, curling, wiggling side to side, etc. Sometimes I'll change my stance a little throughout the session. When I forget, they go totally numb.

After two years of going to the gym, I've finally figured out 10 minutes is the most I can stay on an elliptical ...... then I switch to recumbant bike and treadmill ...... no problem with those.

Find what works for you ...... and then have fun doing it :drinker:

No, I usually just stand on it, but I can see how the rubber foot grips would be hard on the knees.

I actually find the treadmill harder on my knees and use the elliptical every few days to recover. I have to say I do agree about the numb feet though!

There are different types of knee pain. There is impact pain that is part of running or walking and flex or movement pain that is part of bending the knee in either direction. I have flex pain and riding bikes and the elliptical are more difficult for me (like you). When I run, there is much less flex motion and i can do a 1/2 marathon.

I would get a doctor to take a look, if after a week of rest, it persists. It is always good to have proper information.

I've heard it's supposed to be better than the treadmill, but I can do an hour on the treadmill (on some pretty serious incline even) with little to no pain in my knees...but 5 minutes on the elliptical and I want to cry!!! I'm not allowed to run (doctor's orders) so I REALLY want to be able to do the elliptical since it seems like you can really get a great burn on it!

It only bothers my knees when I use it too often. Sometimes it can bother my lower back a bit too. And finally the 3rd spot I feel when I use it for too long is in my one foot. My one foot aches.

Also like linzidq1 said I get numb feet sometimes too!

All Ellipticals are not made equal. You need to try different brands and models till you find one that works for you. I have found that I do better with rear drive units, because the biomechanical motion is better for me. Not every machine has the same stride either, and that can make a difference.

It always bugged my knees. I have a bum left knee and just stick to walking on the treadmill now with little to no pain. If it hurts, then quit doing it. Not worth being in misery! Take it from someone who always has to learn the hard way!

BenRadder wrote: »

I was having the same issues, knees, hips, numb feet, and then I did some research: Are you leaning forward and bouncing while using the elliptical? I was, because that felt like the fun, natural way to do it. Turns out that's completely wrong. I switched it up and sat back on my heels, moved my legs only and concentrated on keeping my balance with my core, all the pain went away. It's about 20X HARDER, and I can only go about 20 minutes instead of 45, but I have zero pain now. It's very tempting to slowly go back to bouncing and leaning forward, but that's what's killing your knees and numbing your feet.

Thanks man. I'm gonna apply this tonight. I wake up with knee pain (and sometimes mild hip pain) the day after using the elliptical trainer. The fixed motion and horrid range of motion on ellipticals have gotta be pretty bad for your legs as a whole.