elliptical is working but I'm afraid it will stop

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20carrots
20carrots Posts: 279 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am really back in the swing of things and it feels great! I have 2 sprained toes, though, so jogging is not an option right now.

I've been doing 45-60 mins on the elliptical every day (working up a SWEAT) but I'm afraid to do anything else. I know you're supposed to mix up your routine but with my hurt toes I don't think any other cardio would give me as good of a burn.

Am I just being paranoid? Should I mix it up? How many weeks can I do one cardio activity before my body gets used to it? I am really starting to see results/changes and I don't want to get sidetracked.

TIA!

Replies

  • ritodcin03
    ritodcin03 Posts: 105 Member
    I don't know the brand that you have, but the elliptical in my gym as different settings, and lately I've been trying them out. There is one button that's called "Aerobics Mode" and you work different parts of the body at 5 minute intervals. At one point, I'm only using my lower body, at another I stop working my legs and keep the machine going by pushing, then with pulling, then legs and arms going backwards. I find it gives a different workout than just the straight settings. I think as long as you keep increasing your level, you'll be fine. Do you do weights too?
  • Lisa0711
    Lisa0711 Posts: 1,405 Member
    The rule of thumb is to change it up every 4-6 weeks. But, I can see your concerns with your toes. Just keep doing what you're doing if it's working. If you start to plateau maybe you could try swimming or a stationary bike or something to that sort where you won't put all the pressure on your feet. Good luck and hope your toes get well soon!
  • foxxybrown
    foxxybrown Posts: 838 Member
    Everyone is different so once you hit a plateau you may need to do something else.
  • frankborelli
    frankborelli Posts: 218 Member
    Don't take this as an "authoritative" reply, but...

    I jumped back into exercising pretty strongly at the end of May. At my current weight running hurts my knees so I either walk, bike or do the elliptical. When I look at time spent versus calories burned, the elliptical is the most efficient. Yesterday, as an example, I spent 99 minutes on the elliptical - 3 sets of 33 minutes each - and burned 925 calories. I was sweating but never felt over-exerted. I've been on the treadmill at the gym but find that it hurts the outside of my calves after 15 or 20 minutes. To reach the same heart rate as I get with the elliptical i have to walk much faster than is comfortable for me. In short, the no-impact exercise of the elliptical is a blessing.

    That said, I DO have to work harder now on the elliptical than I did when I first started. My target heart rate is 120bpm. When I first started that meant a no-resistance pace of about 115 paces per minute. Now, to reach that same heart rate, it means a no-resistance pace of about 125ppm. That means my body is in better condition; my cardio fitness is improved; I have to work harder to get the same benefits of the exercise. That all total means my exercise / fitness program is working!

    When I've reached my target weight I'll work my way back into running. My knees shouldn't hurt then as the impact will be reduced because there'll be less weight hitting them with each step.

    I hope this helped and Good luck!!!
  • RedneckWmn
    RedneckWmn Posts: 3,202 Member
    My body can handle the same exact cardio for about 4 weeks and then I stop seeing the results. Try different modes on the elliptical this would probably help. Can you swim at all? Possibly do the bike? I know people always say do some kind of boxing because it only works the upper body. Hope you heal quickly and can get back to running. Good luck!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    There is a difference between "varying your training stimulus" and "muscle confusion/"shocking the body".

    The first is a fundamental principle of exercise training and the second is blah-blah-blah informerical marketing nonsense.

    You will not burn fewer calories by doing the same workout (unless your weight decreases), but you will likely plateau, see less fitness improvement, and run a greater risk of overtraining.

    If you are going to do primarily one modality, it is important that you include longer, easier endurance workouts, medium length "tempo" workouts (somewhat faster pace than the long days, but not really hard, or including some longer, faster-paced intervals), and at least one shorter, more intense workout (or harder interval workout). That will keep your fitness level improving so that you work at a higher intensity level overall (and thus burn more calories).

    Crosstraining, or doing multiple activities, helps to maintain a high volume of exercise and lowers the risk of overtraining. You might find that you can tolerate a pedal-type stairmaster or an Arc Trainer to provide some variety. This doesn't provide any advantage in burning calories, but it may help you to maintain a 5, 6, or even 7 day/wk routine without becoming as stale.
  • LotusF1ower
    LotusF1ower Posts: 1,259 Member
    I am really back in the swing of things and it feels great! I have 2 sprained toes, though, so jogging is not an option right now.

    I've been doing 45-60 mins on the elliptical every day (working up a SWEAT) but I'm afraid to do anything else. I know you're supposed to mix up your routine but with my hurt toes I don't think any other cardio would give me as good of a burn.

    Am I just being paranoid? Should I mix it up? How many weeks can I do one cardio activity before my body gets used to it? I am really starting to see results/changes and I don't want to get sidetracked.

    TIA!

    What do you mean by how many weeks can you do one machine before your body gets used to it?

    Your body will use up calories on the machine whether you switch it about every two weeks or go on it continually for 30+ years! It will never, ever get to a point where you train for, say, an hour on the elliptical and your body does not use any energy on it - calories will always be used up regardless of how many times or how often you go on it. Therefore take in less calories than you use up, you would lose weight whether you went on the same machine every day for years and years and years or switched about a bit.

    If you are enjoying it, keep at it, but if you find you get bored and irritable with it, THAT is the time to change machines because you are getting stale and although you would still be using calories up on it, it will become a chore if you get stale and eventually you will find you will be unable to continue.

    Don't get too scientific with your training, just remember, are you enjoying it, looking forward to it and feel great afterwards? If the answer is yes, brilliant, keep at it, why fix something that is not broken. However, if you are bored by it, dreading training on it and feel crappy afterwards, change machines to feel fresh again :wink:
  • 20carrots
    20carrots Posts: 279 Member
    Crosstraining, or doing multiple activities, helps to maintain a high volume of exercise and lowers the risk of overtraining. You might find that you can tolerate a pedal-type stairmaster or an Arc Trainer to provide some variety. This doesn't provide any advantage in burning calories, but it may help you to maintain a 5, 6, or even 7 day/wk routine without becoming as stale.

    The arc trainer is a great idea, I may look in to that today. But I am enjoying my hr on the elliptical so I guess I'll keep at it!
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