Elliptical success?

dun4990
dun4990 Posts: 17
edited February 1 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been using the elliptical recently and I was wondering if any of y'all have had success with it! Thanks!

Replies

  • eddie8131
    eddie8131 Posts: 600 Member
    Oh yeah I rocked the elliptical last night at my gym. I use it interchangably with the two types of arc trainers, adding a bike ride or two during the summer months. Except the elliptical is kind of boring and my feet get numb. Its great for me though because I have a foot problem (bunions) and it's low impact on my feet and joints. So I just suck it up, fire up the Spotify on my phone and just shake my feet once or twice and I'm all good.
  • MartinGibbs
    MartinGibbs Posts: 9 Member
    My feet always go numb on ours at home, but not at the gym. Although the level 10 at home is like level 50 at our gym, so I prefer the burn at home, where I can cue up some live metal DVD and go at it.... It also is good for my XC ski training
  • alikonda
    alikonda Posts: 2,358 Member
    Define "success." For example...

    I have successfully improved my cardio endurance by using the elliptical machine.

    (In the past) I have successfully lost a significant amount of weight when using the elliptical machine and making smart food choices.

    I have NOT gotten stronger or faster at running by using the elliptical, but it is a nice cardio option given my history of foot/knee injuries. =)
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Yes.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Not sure what you mean by success...but it did help get my endurance up and I tend to use it now to help with warming up.
  • KellyUVA
    KellyUVA Posts: 255 Member
    Our home elliptical is my go to workout.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Yup!! It is part of my Arsenal..... Best of Luck!!!
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    The first 6 months I was at this, I used the elliptical every day. Then I moved 90 miles from any gym. Finally back living in civilization and I can't get back into it. Certain brands bother my feet, specifically the spot where I broke my foot years ago. The brand in the fitness center at my apartment complex bothers me. So I use it occasionally but not everyday.

    It was successful because I did lose weight using it but the same is true for me with any exercise
  • juliasays77
    juliasays77 Posts: 92 Member
    I use the elliptical about 4-5 days a week. It's definitely helping me. My typical routine is 35-40 minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes or so of weights, then about 15 minutes on the stair climber or bike.

    I will say that I've been told that my legs and behind are looking pretty nice, so that's definitely a plus. ;)

    ETA: My feet get numb after about 30 minutes. When it happens, I will spend a minute or so with one foot planted and the other foot actually coming up off the "pedal" until circulation starts coming back, then I switch feet, and it gets me the rest of the way through.
  • Caitlinhillson
    Caitlinhillson Posts: 8
    I have arthritis in both my knees so I can't run on the treadmill. So, the elliptical is the best for me and frankly, I love it! It can make your feet numb but just shift your feet around to help that. I have lost 20kg over the years using the elliptical and hiking.
  • Colleen790
    Colleen790 Posts: 813 Member
    I lost 26 lbs with my only main form of exercise being my elliptical at home. Works for me.
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    Any way to boost the challenge from the elliptical?
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Any way to boost the challenge from the elliptical?

    Huh? What do you mean?
  • nino07110922
    nino07110922 Posts: 2,149
    The elliptical is part of my daily routine. Push yourself. See how much time it takes you to complete a mile and set that as the time to beat. When that becomes easier, increase the difficulty level and do the same. Definitely worth it. My cardio has improved tremendously and it definitely helps to burn the fat. Good luck to you.
  • iara333
    iara333 Posts: 18
    Any way to boost the challenge from the elliptical?

    Try intervals? I do 3 minutes at a fast but comfortable pace then 30 seconds as fast as I physically can and repeat. It really gets my heart rate up
  • AlliBarlik
    AlliBarlik Posts: 111 Member
    Yes! I love it! I have some knee problems and it helps me to get in great cardio and not hurt. I feel like I get a good cardio burn from using it. I like to do this 3-4 times per week.
    Like others, my toes do sometimes get numb, but I lift my feet slightly and it helps.
    Success? I measure my ability to go further and burn more calories. When I started, I couldn't go more than 15 minutes, now I am up to 35-45. Want to make it an hour!!
    I also alternate between the weight loss training or interval training. Makes my workout go quicker. :bigsmile:
  • TheBaileyHunter
    TheBaileyHunter Posts: 641 Member
    The elliptical is part of my daily routine. Push yourself. See how much time it takes you to complete a mile and set that as the time to beat. When that becomes easier, increase the difficulty level and do the same. Definitely worth it. My cardio has improved tremendously and it definitely helps to burn the fat. Good luck to you.

    This is what I've been doing. Love the elliptical as far as cardio machines go. Easy on my knees and can feel the burn in my legs. It's increased my endurance for my Tae-bo workouts as well.
  • emelia_
    emelia_ Posts: 91
    If you're short be careful, the handles you hold that swing can really hurt your back! I'm 5'4 and it was too much for me so I hold the stationary handles in the middle.

    I don't do the elliptical often but the people I know that do really seem to like it!
  • RaggedyPond
    RaggedyPond Posts: 1,487 Member
    Elliptical strengthened my knees up again enough to be able to do normal work outs again.
  • Cp731
    Cp731 Posts: 3,195 Member
    Any way to boost the challenge from the elliptical?

    Try intervals? I do 3 minutes at a fast but comfortable pace then 30 seconds as fast as I physically can and repeat. It really gets my heart rate up

    mines in my living room
    all I know is I do 2aday. 30 min morn, 30 min evening. I was doing 3min interval training on it, today I was told to try HIIT.
    1 min hard, 1 min relaxed and repeat for all 30 mins.

    hopefully I will see results
  • JMaxwell52
    JMaxwell52 Posts: 8
    Yes, I get a really good workout on the elliptical. I'll go for 25 minutes and burn over 350 calories.
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