Elliptical (Cross Trainer)

babyluthi
babyluthi Posts: 285 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there everyone.
I have just purchased on of these. Anyone out there use one? Have they found it useful?

Replies

  • tubzzy77
    tubzzy77 Posts: 104 Member
    Mine is an excellent coat rack.
  • Pmagnanifit
    Pmagnanifit Posts: 665 Member
    I use mine instead of running when it's raining or if I find the day is almost over and I have not exercised yet
  • paula00750
    paula00750 Posts: 2 Member
    I just got one off craig's list a couple weeks ago. it definitely gets your heart rate up. I did have to take a quick walk around the basement and drink lots of water about every 5 minutes though. it kicked my butt! from what I understand, you can burn twice as many calories in half the time as a treadmill....of course it all depends on your speed and all, but that's the basic idea.

    after the first time I used it though, my calves were killing me for a week!! It felt like I had two major Charlie horses in each calve. I don't know if I did something wrong or what, so if someone out there knows something about this, it would be very helpful info for a lot of us!

    I wish you lots of luck with your new "toy" - just don't give up. just when you think you're gonna die, go a little farther....
  • babyluthi
    babyluthi Posts: 285 Member
    Hey thanks for the replies:)
    I am going to have a quick coffee and go out and put it all together now. I will take your advise (not the coat hook one).

    :)
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    An elliptical trainer is my favorite cardio. A Precor 546fx I think is the model. I use it 4 to 6 times per week.
  • babyluthi
    babyluthi Posts: 285 Member
    Well I managed to put it together. Haven't worked out the computer bit yet.
    I tried it and it nearly killed me! lol! I didn't even last two minutes...
  • lorigem
    lorigem Posts: 446 Member
    I love the elliptical. It's so much easier on the knees that a treadmill. The first time I got on one - ever - was when I was in college. Couldn't even do 2 minutes of it! Even though I weighed a lot less than I do now, I was so unfit. Now I can do up to 60 minutes with no problem. But recently I've been using it just to do HIIT. Kicks my butt every time! You will love it :)
  • cmurphy252
    cmurphy252 Posts: 279 Member
    I dont own one but use it at the gym - DEFINITELY my exercise of choice!! I'd love to have one at the house but my husband would probably complain that it'll collect dust with the bike and treadmill (I tend to do better working out if I go to the gym instead of at home - maybe because psychologically working out among other people/stranger "pushes" me)??
  • eating4me
    eating4me Posts: 239 Member
    I love my elliptical, especially now since I'm injured, and can't run! It can definitely kick your butt, especially if you do HIIT. It's a great cardio workout, and, depending on the settings, great strength and toning exercise. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine!
  • gigglybeth
    gigglybeth Posts: 365 Member
    I love the elliptical! Like others have said, it is easier on your feet, knees and hips then the treadmill. 10 minutes was a struggle back when I first started, but I remember adapting to it pretty quickly. I used to do 45-60 minutes, but scaled back to 30 minutes and now I do the bike or treadmill for 15-20 minutes or the weight machines on alternate sessions.
  • babyluthi
    babyluthi Posts: 285 Member
    Thanks for all the encouragement!!

    I went on the elliptical a few times over the last day. I was just hopeless at it until my daughter (adult) had a go on it and showed me I was doing it all wrong! Can you believe it! I was gripping on with grim death with both feet. She told me to lift my heel on the foot that isn;t doing the pushing and that it should sort of feel like you are walking in mud. Once I did this I could go for twice as long which is not that long! But the way I figure it The more I hop on there even for small intervals the better I will become.
    My resting HR is around 78bpm, but within two minutes it is up around the 180's and 190's!

    I am so unfit!

    On a brighter side I have lost 6kg and a stunning 23.5cm over my body since I started:)
    I am sooo happy!

    I looked up the 30day shredder with her on youtube last night so we are both thinking that might be a good thing to do together:)

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