Gazelle or cheap elliptical?

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Replies

  • McMehu
    McMehu Posts: 103 Member
    I just keep track of my heart rate for the time and keep it as constant as I can and then put that in with my weight to estimate calories. The gazelle actually gave me a similar number but it never asked for my weight so I doubt it is terribly accurate normally.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    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.

    Yes I'm in MN and as soon as snow is cleared its fine to run. Slush is fine just a little messy.
  • ZoeOnly
    ZoeOnly Posts: 12 Member
    Very helpful stuff in this thread! I got an off-brand Gazelle from my mom 8 years ago and used it daily for 3-4 months and lost about 15-20 pounds. It's still in the basement and I'm hoping it will still be in working order when I pull it out tomorrow. Long ago I would go 45-50 minutes on it and I had a special music playlist, and I forced myself to keep up the pace with the beat of every single song. As an exercise novice, I think it was a pretty good workout!
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Cross trainers can still make a fair bit of noise.

    Remember that in the end, if you're just doing light cardio I believe mostly you're just 'buying back' calories... so you can eat more.

    As someone that's drunk the kool-aid - dare I suggest a weights setup, despite that not being at all what was asked? :)
    May offer better results for less effort.
  • CantonMan1234
    CantonMan1234 Posts: 142 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.

    Just checking back on this after a while ... Glad you found one you like :-)
  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    I just got a Gazelle and a bunch of other equipment for free. I know many say that you don't burn much on the Gazelle- but if you put on some ankle weights- would that increase the burn? I don't know to much about it but thought maybe that might help.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    If you're going to do that, put the weight on the machine not your ankle - less likely to damage your ankles then.
    Doubt it will make that much difference. Better might be some kind of resistance bands on them or similar.
  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    You might want to find out if some of the sporting goods stores in your area offer layaway plans. A couple of the stores here do. It would be worth an extra $400 to get something that won't fall apart on you. Some of them even offer free delivery and assembly.
  • collroblola
    collroblola Posts: 25
    I just worked out on my Gazelle glider for the first time today. Purchased mine from QVC under the name XL Glider 2. I wore a Polar HRM and quickly got my HR up to my fat burning zone. At first i thought no way this would be a good workout without the added resistance and was regretting my purchase, but after a few minutes I could really feel it. My 2 cents is invest in a HRM when you use this. It will make you move quicker and workout harder. The console that comes with it is useless. I worked out for 30 minutes and burned 300 calories.
  • airdiva1
    airdiva1 Posts: 198 Member
    I have an older Gazelle that have resistance. I was on the second notch, but changed it to the fourth at first. Couldn't even push the pedals! I moved it to third notch and was sweating within five minutes because it was a workout to push. Feeling it in my muscles. Gave me a great workout.
    But I do walk outside and purchased a bike and when the weather gets better, will ride also to mix things up.
  • DuxBellorum
    DuxBellorum Posts: 2
    Yes ma'am. That is exactly what I do! put some High-Speed Salsa on, and keep up the pace! FEEL THE BURN!

    Lost over 75 lbs in a little over a year on it.

    ...and don't forget to count them calories!
  • zackster_89
    zackster_89 Posts: 2 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/hulamom117/view/exercise-results-for-the-gazelle-glider-147894 Here this may help with the cals burnt, just started fitness pal today and found this to set my own "exercise" option
  • tobybears8
    tobybears8 Posts: 83 Member
    :ohwell: Sorry messed up.
  • tobybears8
    tobybears8 Posts: 83 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?

    That sounds like a good idea. I would join if there was a Gazelle Group. Would anyone else? It would be nice to talk to people that use it and not be put down from other people that think it isn't good enough. I am not going to waist my money on a gym membership, did that once and it takes too much time to get there, then you have to wait and then the time back. As long as we are exercising that is all that is important. Let me know if you start a group. Thanks.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 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

    Look for low impact DVDs

    http://www.collagevideo.com/collections/aerobic-cardio-exercise-videos/aerobics-impact-lower

    I like Leslie Sansone Just Walk videos. Here's a basic idea of what they are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otzetqGQ8bE

    If you want a piece of equipment, I like my rebounder, it's a Jump Sport. Low impact....here's a video of workout is like.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZuujTQ4amA
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 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.
    Thanks

    Even if the device that tells you the calories "worked" ....the number would be worthless.

    Calorie burns depend upon height, weight, age, gender, exertion level, and more. Unless you're plugging in lots of data.....the device has no clue. Even then, exertion level (how hard it was for YOU).....will vary depending upon your fitness level, and how hard you push it. As a previous poster said......inertia takes over and it takes less effort after you get going.

    A heart rate monitor (with a chest strap) would give you a much better idea. But since you can't afford a DVD.....a HRM won't be an option either.
  • Hungry_Annie
    Hungry_Annie Posts: 807 Member
    I just got a Gazelle and a bunch of other equipment for free. I know many say that you don't burn much on the Gazelle- but if you put on some ankle weights- would that increase the burn? I don't know to much about it but thought maybe that might help.

    I had a Gazelle a while back, and it was way too low impact so I put ankle weights on, it helped a bit. I didn't get very good calorie burns with the Gazelle.

    I got an elliptical off the classifieds for $50, and its great. Its squeaky, but for $50 I don't care.

    Both can effective. Hope you enjoy the Gazelle!
  • Hungry_Annie
    Hungry_Annie Posts: 807 Member
    I just got a Gazelle and a bunch of other equipment for free. I know many say that you don't burn much on the Gazelle- but if you put on some ankle weights- would that increase the burn? I don't know to much about it but thought maybe that might help.

    I had a Gazelle a while back, and it was way too low impact so I put ankle weights on, it helped a bit. I didn't get very good calorie burns with the Gazelle.

    I got an elliptical off the classifieds for $50, and its great. Its squeaky, but for $50 I don't care.

    Both can be effective. Hope you enjoy the Gazelle!
  • Hungry_Annie
    Hungry_Annie Posts: 807 Member
    I just got a Gazelle and a bunch of other equipment for free. I know many say that you don't burn much on the Gazelle- but if you put on some ankle weights- would that increase the burn? I don't know to much about it but thought maybe that might help.

    I had a Gazelle a while back, and it was way too low impact so I put ankle weights on, it helped a bit. I didn't get very good calorie burns with the Gazelle.

    I got an elliptical off the classifieds for $50, and its great. Its squeaky, but for $50 I don't care.

    Both can be effective. Hope you enjoy the Gazelle!
  • kasney
    kasney Posts: 13 Member
    Do you have a play it again sports in your area? I just got a super nice well constructed elliptical from there a week ago. It was only $160 because the fan was broken, my husband fixed it.

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