Why can't I last 5 minutes on an elliptical!

Be sure you stretch and work your way up, add two minutes every time you step on. Your body needs time to adjust

Good luck!

you're not in shape... increase the time spent on elliptical for 1 min every day and in few weeks you'll be able to do 20 min. you should push trough the pain but don't force yourself too much... and be sure not to injure your knees.

The first 5 minutes of any continues exercise is were energy from the muscles not so much energy from burning fat is used so you really need to go through the pain barrier. I hve always found the first 5 mins the hardest but do come through it and am regularly doing 30 min runs and 30 mins on either elliptical or bike and that's after over hours weights. My advice may sound daft but works for me. DON'T THINK ABOUT THE PAIN. I use music to distract me.

oh yer and do start on easiest level and increase over the first 5 mins.

It's something you build up to, It's the same with all exercise. Keep going you be fine.

i cant do it either..yet i can run 2 miles on a treadmill no problem

I hated that thing when I started using it, and couldn't last as well. I just built it up over time.

you will get there in the end

We all start somewhere. When I started Couch to 5 K last year, I couldn't run a minute without gasping for breath. Now I can run for half an hour. Just keep working it. Watch your knees though. If your knees are hurting, there might be something wrong with your positioning.

I think the first 5 minutes on the elliptical are the hardest, once I get past that, then the rest of my time is easier... I start slow and then pick up speed. I agree with others though... build up your time each time you do it. That is what I did.

What kind of pain is it? If it is muscle, then, yes, you need to build your endurance. But if it is joint pain, you should see the doctor for advice.

I have to wear knee braces for some mashines in my gym: stairclimber, treadmill. But elliptical seems the most gentle for my knees.

The elliptical is was my favorite, I wish I still had one.

I remember when I first got it I didn't make it one minute. I felt like I was going to die. It took me a few months to work up to an hour.

Here be what I done;
First, stretch. Arms, legs, back, everything.
Second, put Sponge Bob in the DVD player.
Fourth, get water bottle.
Fiveith, go to bathroom.
Sixth, quit stalling and get on the durn thing.
Then go for it while trying to find a comfortable pace. When my legs started to hurt I would reverse direction for a minute. If I couldn't do that, I would get off and stretch again. Sometimes I would do a few squats, or maybe give my thighs a deep massage.
Then get back on. I would try not to stay off for more than 3 minutes because if i did the timer would reset. I just continually did this until I was able to stay on.

When my elliptical finally crapped out I was easily doing an hour, some time more. But it always took around 10 minutes to get my wind, after that it was smooth sailing!

I hope you have success, you will feel so much better. That tortuous machine is the best ever!

When I started on the elliptical, I could do about 5 minutes. Now I can go forever.
The first 12 minutes are the hardest for me. Once you get past the leg and feet pain, you can do anything.
Also, try adding a minute every day. I say "anyone can do anything for 1 minute"
Or
Go for 5 minutes forward then take a break by going backward for 1 minute. It's an entire different set of muscles.

You can do it!!!!!

I so relate to this!! I use to do one hour on the elliptical without using the arms handles! That was 8 years ago. Had a workout related injury at 47 and my life changed drastically. At 55 and some weight gain I want to get back on the horse. I tried the elliptical yesterday and literally couldn't do 3 minutes!!!! My legs were screaming and my lung capacity was severely compromised. So disappointing!!!

You definitely work up endurance. As aforementioned, add a minute each day, as it does get easier.

OP....as everyone else has said,,,just keep adding time here and there and soon you should be rocking out!!
Little off topic, but related to the elliptical...I normally hate this machine ( I feel like I cant control it and end up going faster then I want, and burning out faster). I finally found one at my gym that I have better control over and I like it. I hopped on and rocked out about 5 minutes, as my stamina sucks and my legs were on FIRE!! When it did the post work out summary it showed that I had been at an incline. I guess my question is....is the machine "naturally" at an incline? I just stepped up and did the quick start, which allowed me to go the speed I wanted to go, but I didn't select anything as far as incline. Thoughts?

I avoid the elliptical and stairmaster b/c they are so hard on my knees and stick to walking/C25K and strength training, but sometimes think I am missing something in my routine and could benefit from the elliptical. Or is cardio (for endurance/fitness) just cardio regardless of the machine?

Cardio is just cardio, for the most part. Its goal is to work the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs) and/or burn calories, usually. But it also does work muscles and they do get accustomed to a motion and change is good. But if the elliptical hurts, I'd just avoid it. I avoid them because they make my toes numb.

(People advising the original poster- That post is from 2011. She probably got rid of her elliptical years ago. )