The elliptical doesn't do anything?

Everytime I tell someone about my workout routine that involves an hour on the elliptical and a half an hour of weights, why is it that they always say ' oh I heard the elliptical doesn't do anything to your body' or something along those lines. This makes no sense. I feel very tired and sore after the elliptical for that long, is it actually possible that it's not making any improvement on my body what so ever? I go at a fast pase and burn around 600 calories in that time frame. I thought I was doing awesome!

Replies

_Waffle_

No really it doesn't do much of anything at all. No matter how much you pedal it just stays in the same place. Pretty sorry machine if you ask me.

It does a pretty good job of giving you a cardio workout though. :-)

ShannonMpls

It's a cardio workout. Nothing wrong with that.

I think you might see different results if you swapped, and did an hour of weights 3-5 days a week, and 30 minutes on the elliptical a couple days a week.

That's assuming you want different results, though. If you're happy with how things are going, keep on keeping on. At some point you may start finding the routine boring or less challenging, and at that point considering changing things up - do intervals for 20 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill instead, or take a group class, or walk outside.

tehboxingkitteh

No really it doesn't do much of anything at all. No matter how much you pedal it just stays in the same place. Pretty sorry machine if you ask me.

It does a pretty good job of giving you a cardio workout though. :-)

same logic goes for treadmills, stationary bikes, and stair climbers...

thavoice

Everytime I tell someone about my workout routine that involves an hour on the elliptical and a half an hour of weights, why is it that they always say ' oh I heard the elliptical doesn't do anything to your body' or something along those lines. This makes no sense. I feel very tired and sore after the elliptical for that long, is it actually possible that it's not making any improvement on my body what so ever? I go at a fast pase and burn around 600 calories in that time frame. I thought I was doing awesome!

Eh, who cares what people say.

I noticed from experience the people whol tell me it doesnt do anything either A. never used it or B. used it and went so slow it was like they were in slow motion!

If you like it, go at it and keep on keeping on!

cwolfman13

It depends...the elliptical doesn't do a whole lot for me, but I have pretty specific fitness goals. Ellipticals are fine for just getting in some cardio but they are not going to have any kind of profound impact on your body composition though which is where many people may be coming from with that comment.

_Waffle_

Get an ElliptiGo

MostlyWater

People are real dream-crushers. What are they doing to stay fit?

richardheath

It has the same benefits and drawbacks of any cardio exercise. It burns calories and exercises your CV system, both of which are good. The downside is, if you are spending an hour a day on it. Which brings up the question: is that the most appropriate use of your time to meet your fitness goals? Could you spend that hour doing something more directly related to what you want to achieve?

For example: if your goal is to get stronger, then spending an hour doing (presumably) steady state cardio might be an hour better spent moving some iron around.

Alternatively: if you just want to burn calories, then might you be better off doing 15 minutes of HIIT (on the elliptical, even)? You'll burn almost as many calories, give your heart and lungs a really good workout, and then get on with your day.

So, the answer is, of course, it depends!

cwolfman13

Get an ElliptiGo

those are actually pretty cool...I was at my local bike shop over the weekend and they had a few of these and let me try it out...I definitely prefer a traditional bicycle, but it was pretty cool.

fairygirlpie9

WANT!

Iishasears84

I have an elliptical. Sweat like a savage for an hour every time! I use it for cardio and I love it. I have seen results with it so find what works for you:)

Dr1nkbleachndye

The elliptical works. Don't let anyone tell u other wise.

I do all my cardio while working, but the low impact nature of the elliptical, with the ability to vary the resistance makes it very useful and a tough workout depending on the intensity.

Linnaea27

Get an ElliptiGo

That thing is cool! Strange looking, but what an interesting contraption! (I'm a bike rider and hate exercising indoors).

When I see my MFP friends' elliptical workout calorie burns, I am often envious as I would have to ride my bike really hard or run a good deal faster than is comfortable for me, to get an equivalent burn in the same amount of time. But I would still much rather exercise outdoors if I can.

As others have said, what an elliptical is good for, is the calorie burn. And you'll probably slowly develop stronger muscles too-- though not nearly as quickly as if you were doing weight exercises.

ndj1979

my two cents…

reverse your order..

hour weight lifting, thirty minutes on the elliptical….

trishamae

I have an elliptical and I find it helps me. I can feel that my calfs and up thighs are more toned. But the main thing to remember is that you are up and moving and exercising. How can it not be good? Obviously it is doing something, you know it is burning calories and it has you up and moving! So if you enjoy it, then do it. It's better to work out on a machine you enjoy than to buy one that you don't like and never set foot on it...right?

dsalveson

Spending an hour on the elliptical sounds absolutely mind-numbing.

trishamae

Agree totally that the elliptical does work!

arielfirby

Elliptical does work! I've lost 15 pounds in two months using that and 45 to 60 min of weights three times a week too.

SnuggleSmacks

I watched a guy do 45 minutes of elliptical right next to me...backward. He was moving his feet as if he were walking backward instead of forward. I tried it myself, and it was really hard. I wonder if you get more of a workout that way?

Sunbrooke

The elliptical does work. It is my main workout. I also do some very light weights while in the treadmill and some leg presses. I especially feel like the elliptical works my obliques.

Edited to add that it is really important to put your weight in the machine if you are using its reading for calorie burning. It varries a lot by a person's weight, so if the person before has heavier, it will look like you burned more.

Loralrose

Elliptical burns calories just like any other aerobic exercise. It won't make you stronger but it will improve aerobic fitness and let you eat more calories without gaining weight.

Personally, I like the elliptical machine because I have a bad knee. If running is too high impact I'll either do the elliptical or ride my bike. Just pick whatever you like doing and enjoy your workout.

AKNMHunt

Get an ElliptiGo

I want that so effing bad!

KathieSwenson

Okay. I try not to reply but I couldn't help on this one. First of all yes the elliptical helps however that is just your cardiovascular system. You would out do me any day In that area because I don't do much cardio. Im changing that. For total fitness there are three areas. Strength, flexibility and cardio. Each one if you were to take a fitness test like I had to in college for a keniesiology degree would be part of a total fitness test. Where you may be good in cardio you may be bad in strength or flexibility. Where I'm good in flexibility I lack in cardio. The best thing to do is to focus on all three. Ideally you should do strength 3 times a week so I have been advised by fitness trainers and instructors. Needless to say I wouldn't let anyone tell you what does and does not work. Each person is different and each persons body reacts differently. It's all in how you train and if you train in the area you lack in so you can better your overall fitness.

Fitfully_me

Get an ElliptiGo

Well this looks fun. Hold on while I check Google.
Oh, wait. Base model is like 2 grand. :huh:

OP, I agree with swapping the order/duration of your workout. Strength first, then cardio.

32sami

I can't speak for other peoples experience, but when I get off the elliptical I'm usually soaked in sweat to the point I can wring my hair out so I know for a fact I'm getting something out of it.

itsadogslife

Add some resistance, squat low when pedalling backwards. Make your legs burn

chrisdavey

it burns some cals like all cardio exercises.

It will do very little in regards to maintaining LBM while dieting

Azdak

Everytime I tell someone about my workout routine that involves an hour on the elliptical and a half an hour of weights, why is it that they always say ' oh I heard the elliptical doesn't do anything to your body' or something along those lines. This makes no sense. I feel very tired and sore after the elliptical for that long, is it actually possible that it's not making any improvement on my body what so ever? I go at a fast pase and burn around 600 calories in that time frame. I thought I was doing awesome!

1. People who say things like are talking more ideology than science.

2. People who say things like that are talking out of their alternate orifice.

Having said that, if you are always doing the same hour every time on the elliptical, then your cardio program is likely not balanced. You will get better cardio training results by including interval and tempo workouts, along with endurance work.

melb_alex

as long as you are incoporating weights and mixing it up (incline stair master) you should see a difference

But I use the elliptical for about 30-35 mins or incline machine then do a good 35 mins weights

badwolves

You do get a good cardio workout out of it, but those machines really tend to overestimate calories burned. I mean, all machines do, but the ellipticals especially. Keep doing it if you like it, but I'd suggest getting a heart rate monitor that calculates calories burned so you get a more accurate idea