Gazelle or cheap elliptical?

McMehu
McMehu Posts: 103 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Do you get a decent workout with something like a gazelle edge or cheap elliptical like from walmart?

Looking in the under 200 dollar range.. closer to 100 would be better.. I see 2 or three on Amazon and Walmart.com but hearing some bad reviews... Broke and would love something low impact to do cardio (Live on second floor apartment.. jumping jacks and treadmill not an option)
«1

Replies

  • mrsamanda86
    mrsamanda86 Posts: 869 Member
    I would try looking on craigslist or somewhere for a used elliptical. And before getting it, read reviews on that model on amazon or somewhere. DO NOT buy a cheap elliptical, it will suck, and then break. Then you'll be out all that money, or have to deal with returning it. PITA. Trust me :grumble:
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    haha that's what I was worried about.

    I havent heard as many things about gazelle except you cannot change resistance.. is it less of a workout?
  • eryquem
    eryquem Posts: 66 Member
    The gazelle has no resistance built in. My brother in law has one, and just for kicks I got on it when we visited him for new years and gave it a try. It's way too easy. Once you get moving, the momentum takes over and you can just keep going with almost no effort.

    A cheap elliptical could be a better chioce, but as mentioned, it will likely not be an enjoyable experience, and will ultimately break with heavy use.

    If I were in your shoes, I'd think outside the box a bit. For example, the Bob Harper weight loss yoga DVD will give you a good cardio workout, while also improving balance and strength. There's a lot of options (some of them free online) for video-based cardio workouts.
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    Bob Harper? I will look up. I was doing Jillian Miachaels but had to stop every time she did cardio besides punching because I didnt wanna piss off the neighbors
  • mrsamanda86
    mrsamanda86 Posts: 869 Member
    Could you maybe time your workouts around when they will be gone?
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    Haha that would require talking to them. Yeah I could consider asking them what appropriate hours would be. May be if I bring them a small gift and ask nicely- the wife doesnt seem to have a job so I never know when she will be home. I might try asking them.
  • airdiva1
    airdiva1 Posts: 198 Member
    My parents have a gazelle in the storage closet and I pulled it out for usage.
    The device that tells how many calories don't work.
    I would like to use this for workouts.
    How do you figure the calories.
    Now before anyone tell me to buy or try anything else,
    My budget is very limited, so just answer concerning the gazelle.
    I do walk and have loss 30 lbs. Want something else to use.
    I DON'T want suggestions on DVDs or free weights, just the GAZELLE
    I say this because notice this alot.
    Thanks
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    haha that's what I was worried about.

    I havent heard as many things about gazelle except you cannot change resistance.. is it less of a workout?

    I liked the workout on a Gazelle, and resistance on it comes from either leaning forward or backward (although that might only be working your arms). My complaint against it, and the reason I returned it, is that is feels pretty cheaply made and after only 1 week of use, it started squeaking bad.

    No amount of WD40 or any of the included lubricant would stop it for longer than a day. I wanted to do a workout after the kids were in bed, but the squeaking would have kept them awake. If you live by yourself, maybe you can tolerate it.

    Being that I only had it for a week, who knows how long it would last.
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    I would try looking on craigslist or somewhere for a used elliptical. And before getting it, read reviews on that model on amazon or somewhere. DO NOT buy a cheap elliptical, it will suck, and then break. Then you'll be out all that money, or have to deal with returning it. PITA. Trust me :grumble:

    ^ THIS!!
  • czechwolf52
    czechwolf52 Posts: 194 Member
    This thread is so fitting, I just used my gazelle for the first time in 6 weeks (roads were too bad to go to the gym). I used my HRM with a chest strap and i burnt 440 calories in 40 minutes, so you can definitely get a great workout out of one. I use it while watching a tv show or two. It's very quiet, low impact, and great for small spaces. You need to concentrate on building up speed on it, but once you get going you can get an awesome workout.
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    In. I'm looking for the same. :)
  • CantonMan1234
    CantonMan1234 Posts: 142 Member
    My parents have a gazelle in the storage closet and I pulled it out for usage.
    The device that tells how many calories don't work.
    I would like to use this for workouts.
    How do you figure the calories.
    Now before anyone tell me to buy or try anything else,
    My budget is very limited, so just answer concerning the gazelle.
    I do walk and have loss 30 lbs. Want something else to use.
    I DON'T want suggestions on DVDs or free weights, just the GAZELLE
    I say this because notice this alot.
    Thanks

    If you don't have a heart rate monitor try this ... it won't be completely accurate, but it will put in in the ballpark ...

    Take your pulse for 15 seconds right before you start, multiply that by 4 and record it

    Take your pulse for 15 seconds right before you finish, multiply that by 4 and record it

    add the two numbers together and divide by 2 ... this will give you a very rough average of your heart rate while working out. plug that number into a online calorie calculator such as this one http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/heart-rate-based-calorie-burn-calculator.aspx and that will give you an approximate number for the calories burned on the gazelle
  • CantonMan1234
    CantonMan1234 Posts: 142 Member
    Do you get a decent workout with something like a gazelle edge or cheap elliptical like from walmart?

    Looking in the under 200 dollar range.. closer to 100 would be better.. I see 2 or three on Amazon and Walmart.com but hearing some bad reviews... Broke and would love something low impact to do cardio (Live on second floor apartment.. jumping jacks and treadmill not an option)

    Check out your local thrift stores. They may have a good elliptical for an affordable price
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    The main thing about a cheap one is the weight capacity and the quality of the moving parts, along with the weight of the flywheel. I ended up spending more to get one what was built better. We got a livestrong model from one of the sporting goods stores. Expensive but it held my 280lb butt when I started my weight loss.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    If you're just looking for mindless cardio you can do while you watch TV or whatever, I recommend an aerobics step. It's small, light, packs away in a closet, and is much cheaper than a gazelle or elliptical. It's a variable height so you can adjust intensity, and it even works well as a platform for ab work and light weights.
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    The gazelle has no resistance built in. My brother in law has one, and just for kicks I got on it when we visited him for new years and gave it a try. It's way too easy. Once you get moving, the momentum takes over and you can just keep going with almost no effort.

    A cheap elliptical could be a better chioce, but as mentioned, it will likely not be an enjoyable experience, and will ultimately break with heavy use.

    If I were in your shoes, I'd think outside the box a bit. For example, the Bob Harper weight loss yoga DVD will give you a good cardio workout, while also improving balance and strength. There's a lot of options (some of them free online) for video-based cardio workouts.
    All you need to do with a resistance-free Gazelle (the older models did have a resistance option) is lean forward or backwards while you use them; your own body weight provides some resistance. It's not weight training, but it's not resistance-free either.
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    I found one on craigslist that has a resistance bar. It was very affordable so I picked it up. I need to tighten some things because although it glides silently when the resistance bar is attached it is a little noisy. I used it with my heart rate monitor and it is a lot easier than an elliptical but even with no resistance bar it got my heart rate into fat burning mode so over long periods it is good. I can try adding resistance tomorrow and see how that goes.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I found one on craigslist that has a resistance bar. It was very affordable so I picked it up. I need to tighten some things because although it glides silently when the resistance bar is attached it is a little noisy. I used it with my heart rate monitor and it is a lot easier than an elliptical but even with no resistance bar it got my heart rate into fat burning mode so over long periods it is good. I can try adding resistance tomorrow and see how that goes.

    Nice! I get a lot of use out of mine, hopefully you'll have some success with yours too!
  • mlh37214
    mlh37214 Posts: 517 Member
    I had a gazelle years ago. Used it, but didn't notice any good coming from it. I have a cheap elliptical now (bought from a family member for $100) and I love and hate it, just like an evil trainer. My legs are crazy sore 5 minutes in (I actually think the tension is too high and don't know how to change it, just working on building up to do it longer!!).
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    Just sort of thinking out loud here (don't mean to hijack the topic), but do we have enough Gazelle users to warrant interest in an MFP group?
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    haha no idea....I think Gazelle is one of those things where you know how to make it work for you or you hate it kinda things. LOL

    After using it so far I have found that you can get a pretty varied workout depending on body position alone but you have to actively be thinking about it. I can get my Heart rate up just fine without the resistance bar so far. If i pick up my heals as if I was kinda jogging and I get into the motion and move my whole body while leaning forward a bit.

    My heart rate really only drops when I stop consiously thinking and just kinda use the momentum.. probably still like walking rate though def not a resting rate.

    When I add in the resistance bar it almost feels more like it is toning muscles than cardio though. It is still pretty tough for me... I get a good outter thigh lift going sideways on it.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    Why can't you go run or walk outside?
  • GlutenFreeWench
    GlutenFreeWench Posts: 127
    Why can't you go run or walk outside?

    It's like...20 below zero for a lot of us:(

    *nods*

    Or, as is the case today, muddy, rainy melty snow. But about an hour south, they got another 3 inches of ice.

    Yeah, not safe outside weather.
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    I bought a Gazelle about 8 years ago and it still works. I does get squeaky and niosy but WD40 did calm it down for me. The heart rate sensors died a long time ago, but if you have heart rate monitor then you dont need it. You can work up a sweat and get a good cardio workout. 30 Minutes on the Gazelle is just as boring as 30 minutes on an elliptical in my opinion, so go with what ever works for you.
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    (forgot to quote) this is a response to a few posts earlier.

    I had someone PM me about how I should just buy a pair of running shoes.

    Not everyone lives in a temperate environment with sidewalks. Yes I do often walk. I can even drive to a nice place with walking paths and walk and that is great when it is not freezing and snow.. but if I have the means to do it on days it is snowy and cold or rainy I am a lot more motivated to still workout where as otherwise half the motivation might be bundling up and getting out the door.

    Last time I was on here I walked outside more than anything else.. but sometimes it is nice to break a sweat in privacy when I fancy it.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    I've never seen a gazelle in it's natural habitat, only in living room corners covered with hangers and clothes.
  • ladyace0007
    ladyace0007 Posts: 47
    We have a gazelle, and you can get a decent workout from it, but there are no resistance settings so you probably won't burn as many calories. However, it stretches you out veery well, and it's significantly easier on your knees.
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    I've never seen a gazelle in it's natural habitat, only in living room corners covered with hangers and clothes.

    hahahaa
  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    We have a gazelle, and you can get a decent workout from it, but there are no resistance settings so you probably won't burn as many calories. However, it stretches you out veery well, and it's significantly easier on your knees.


    I did end up finding a used older model with resistance. But yes the ones I looked at at the store had none.
  • GadgetGuy2
    GadgetGuy2 Posts: 291 Member
    Haven't used an elliptical, so can't compare.

    Have had a Gazelle in the TV room for many years (no dust on it). WD-40 and the right hex wrench periodically keeps the squeekin' away.

    Lean fwd/bck, harder. No resistance bar on ours. BUT, I have no problem getting into hear rate zones for aerobic reasons by going FAST for a duration, as stated by many others.

    P.S.-The Gazelle computer is junk. I use a polar HRM to monitor the bpm on my smartphone.

Categories