What kind of results are you seeing with an elliptical??

Cajun_momma
Cajun_momma Posts: 16
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I just bought me an elliptical machine being I see how many people swear by the results, burning calories and toning their bodies. I am curious to know how long you excercise a day/week, and what kind of results are you seeing. I am realling trying to lose 25 lbs and tone up this body after having 4 kids. I am on a 1200 cal diet and been using my elliptical for 3 days and I just wanna know what anyone thinks about it. also looking for buddies!!! :))
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Replies

  • najla56
    najla56 Posts: 195 Member
    bump!
  • haylz24
    haylz24 Posts: 225
    Hiya :)

    I use it 4/5 times a week at the gym and I'm on it for 11-15 mins. 2 mins warm up then I do 1 min fast, 1 min slower and keep doing that until times up. I do other things not just the elliptical!

    My bum is not so squishy and my legs are stronger. My waist has shrunk a bit too. Just wanting the love handles and belly to go!
  • miya727
    miya727 Posts: 12 Member
    Cheack out bodyrock.tv they have the most intense FREE workout vids, high fat burn and you can do it for only 12 mins a day!
  • I just got an elliptical too! I needed to add cardio to my routine, and I need a lower impact cardio workout. I used a readmill for years, and do tons of walking (over 10,000 steps per day on fitbit) now, but needed to get my heart rate higher and start toning some muscle. 2 workouts in, I'm also wondering what to expect, but I can sure feel where it has targeted. Many complain about the unnatural stride, but its kinda fun, and its works different areas than walking, so I think it's good.

    I need buddies too! I have lots of cheerleaders, but no one who is challenging themselves like I am, or even being honest about food logging.
  • kelcileigh
    kelcileigh Posts: 23 Member
    I've been looking for this thread!

    I've been doing the elliptical now for about a month 3-4 times a week for an hour per day. When I started, I was doing 4 miles in an hour. Now, I'm doing 4.85 miles in an hour and it's much easier! My work pants are SUPER baggy and people are starting to tell me I look like I've lost weight.

    I haven't checked the scale because it's discouraging for me, but I feel better and my workouts are getting easier!
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    Elliptical is my favourite machine at the gym. I can burn 10+ calories per minute, so I usually burn at least 300 calories for a 30 min session. Love it!

    My legs feel much firmer, especially the front of my upper legs and thighs. I have asthma, and after a workout on the Elliptical my lungs feel much better and less-tight.

    It's a great cardio workout.
  • I too have an elliptical.....Love the thing....when I get on it. I bought it to do some 'cross-training' I play tennis 4 x's a week and wasn't working any other muscles. It really has been an all over toner for me. I do 15 minutes every other day. I am also looking for buddies as well. Just started this journey and have about 100lbs to drop. I'm not in hurry. As a last resort, I am doing the day by day approach....little by little....small changes, smarter changes, healthier changes. I have nothing but time....
    Cynthia
  • Lind140
    Lind140 Posts: 140 Member
    I use the one at the gym around twice a week for 30 minutes. Due to joint problems I have to alternate
    with water aerobics but the elliptical has helped me to slim down and tone up. I like the results it
    brings even from only being able to use it such a small amount
  • LassoOfTruth
    LassoOfTruth Posts: 735 Member
    I've only had it for a month, but I love it already. I see some toning in my bum and legs. I do 20-30 minutes 4 times a week, with strength and other cardio stuff. But, ever since I got it, I smashed through my 3 month plateau. SO, I'm a fan. :]
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Love the elliptical. I can burn more calories, and it's easier on my joints. It firms up my legs, too! I usually go about 45 mins.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I go 6-7 days a week and do 31 minutes on the elliptical. I have seen the result in much firmer thighs and overall tone to my body. I love it, and love that it's low-impact.
  • wannalose25
    wannalose25 Posts: 69 Member
    The elliptical is GREAT!! I lost 15-20 lbs in 2 months using it. I did 30 mins/, 5 days/wk. Sometimes I'd do 45 min. I'm planning to buy one real soon. I wish I had bought the elliptical instead of the Fluidity Bar.
  • RunIntheMud
    RunIntheMud Posts: 2,645 Member
    I mix up running, the arc elliptical and weights but use primarily the elliptical in the winter as well as the middle of the summer. I'll use it about 4-5 times/week for an hour. When I started, I was able to go 4 1/2 miles, but I'm at 6 miles now. It's a great workout and much easier on my knees than the treadmill. I keep my calories right around 1500 but may go to 1700-1900 depending on my workout.
  • sdhorne
    sdhorne Posts: 69 Member
    I use the elliptical 5 x a week anywhere from 45 min to 70 min a day. I have lost 20 lbs and gone down 2 sizes in my jeans. In 2 months.
  • scjl132
    scjl132 Posts: 85 Member
    I use the elliptical about 40 minutes 5-6 times a week at the gym. I like it for the cardiovascular benefits right now. At 58 I need to get my heart rate up and get the metabolism moving a little faster. I also use the treadmill and the arc trainer and alternate the rowing machine and free weights. It's not my favorite machine but it makes me sweat! (Don't like sweating either but I hear it's good for me!).
  • I'm a fitness instructor/trainer and if you're looking for some great results, try 20 minutes of high intesity interval training. Studys show that people who do 20 minutes of high intensity drills vs. 40 minutes of a sustained pace burn more fat and calories and condition their hearts and lungs to recover faster. Warm up at a nice easy pace for a few minutes then really increase the speed or incline or both and push yourself as hard and as fast as you can. Start off with 30 sec....then back off and recover for 5 minutes and crank it up again, then recover. Little by little, you'll be able to increase your high intensity time. The results are great and I use this type of training with most of my clients and they love it :) Good luck!
  • I've been doing between 30 mins and 45 mins around 3-4 times a week. This is my favorite workout equip. because I have trouble with my knees and hips. Have noticed a little difference in my butt and calves , but have only started about 2 weeks ago.
  • lizzybethclaire
    lizzybethclaire Posts: 849 Member
    I love the elliptical. I use it all the time and I find that it is helping me build my endurance.
  • I love the eliptical.
  • I do 30-35 minutes 5-7 x week on a "fat burning/interval" program....and not only is it helping me with mt weight loss and muscle tone but my blood pressure and resting heart rate are significantly better than they were a year ago
  • namluv
    namluv Posts: 194 Member
    Really nice results - down 1% body fat and inch off my waist in a couple weeks - also growing a nice booty (I was booty-less). I am doing intervals which is really supposed to help the burn. Also of note... the weight went up on the scale so this again teaches me to not rely only on the scale number!
  • JenRun1
    JenRun1 Posts: 212
    I use my eliptical 5-6 days a week along with lifting and kickboxing. I did lose weight and saw my legs strengthen when I was on an eliptical only work out. On lifting, kickboxing days I do the eliptical for 30-40 mins, all other days I am on 50-75 mins.

    You cannot set it to a low setting and expect to get results. Make sure you are challenging yourself and use a HRM. If you have an eliptical with a HRM, it is usually off by 20-30% and over estimates your calories burned.

    Good luck and enjoy it. It is one of the best purchases I've made.
  • m_wilh
    m_wilh Posts: 362 Member
    Bump. Just started back at the gym yesterday and used the elliptical both days. This thread has been encouraging.
  • bonitacash08
    bonitacash08 Posts: 378 Member
    :smile: It made my butt look great! Also toned up my legs suuuuper quickly. I noticed leg muscles appearing a few weeks in. Normally I do 30 minutes. When I started, I did the whole 30 minutes at crossramp 6 (full body) and level 1. After I got used to that, I started at level 2 for 10 minutes, level 3 for 10 minutes and finished with level 4 for 10 minutes. I always keep it at crossramp 6. Now I'm starting at level 6 and finishing at level 8. It really is a great full body workout
  • brendabryden
    brendabryden Posts: 40 Member
    Just started using the elliptical two weeks ago. I am doing 4 miles, 380 calories in 30 minutes. Lately, the last 5 minutes I have started to get a little light headed, very hot and a pain on the right side of my head. Maybe I am pushing too hard before my body has gotten used to it since I just started two weeks ago.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    The elliptical is my absolute favorite cardio exercise. I do 30-50 minutes, depending on how much I've lifted that day.
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    You cannot set it to a low setting and expect to get results. Make sure you are challenging yourself and use a HRM. If you have an eliptical with a HRM, it is usually off by 20-30% and over estimates your calories burned.

    Right on about the HRM on the machine... I just got my own Bluetooth HRM and burned aboug 60 cals less than the machine told me I had. So, I highly recommend getting one or just bumping down your calorie burn when you enter it in MFP.
  • madyooch
    madyooch Posts: 63 Member
    I have been using the elliptical at my local gym for about 3 weeks. I do 30-45 minutes 4-5 x week. I have noticed a difference in how my clothes fit. On the machine itself it says that Im burning about 10 cal / 10 minutes ( 400 cal for 40 minutes). When I put 40 minutes of elliptical training on My Fitness Pal it says I burn 653 calories...hmm big difference.

    Does anyone else have this discrepancy? And any advice on which to believe?

    Thanks!
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    I have been using the elliptical at my local gym for about 3 weeks. I do 30-45 minutes 4-5 x week. I have noticed a difference in how my clothes fit. On the machine itself it says that Im burning about 10 cal / 10 minutes ( 400 cal for 40 minutes). When I put 40 minutes of elliptical training on My Fitness Pal it says I burn 653 calories...hmm big difference.

    Does anyone else have this discrepancy? And any advice on which to believe?

    Thanks!

    Do you enter your weight/track your heart rate on the elliptical at the beginning of your workout? It may be calculating for a weight that is different than yours.
  • kellxbelle09
    kellxbelle09 Posts: 17 Member
    OMG I love my elliptical! I use it for at least 25 minutes every day, usually followed by a weights/strength training DVD. My typical elliptical workout looks like this:

    00:00-05:00 Warm up, Level 1
    05:00-07:00 Vigorous, Level 10 (HR usually between 180-190)
    07:00-08:00 Recover, Level 5
    08:00-09:00 Moderate, Pedal Backwards, Level 7
    09:00-10:00 Recover, Level 5
    10:00-12:00 Vigorous, Level 10
    12:00-13:00 Recover, Level 6
    13:00-14:00 Moderate, Pedal Backwards, Level 8
    14:00-15:00 Recover, Level 6
    15:00-17:00 Vigorous, Level 10
    17:00-18:00 Recover, Level 6
    18:00-19:00 Moderate, Pedal Backwards, Level 8
    19:00-20:00 Recover, Level 5
    20:00-25:00 Cool-Down, Move down a level each minute

    For me, my HRM says I usually burn between 250 and 300 calories, and I can completely feel my lower body being toned! On days I don't do weights, I double how long I stay at each interval or just repeat the whole cycle. This generally burns between 750-800 cals and I am dripping sweat! I have tons of different elliptical workouts I do, feel free to message me if you want me to send you some!

    Good luck!
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