Is the elliptical effective?

wonnder1
wonnder1 Posts: 460
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
So my workout consists of 20 minutes (high resistance) of elliptical, 20 minutes of circuit weights, and 15 of moderate treadmill (walking).

I can't run, so that's out for me (seriously hurts the girls). I've been surfing around and half the sites say the elliptical isn't worth my time and the other says fine. I know that the guy from Biggest Loser hates the elliptical, but I can't figure out why. I know that I sweat while I'm on it.

So, does anyone have a good article with actual science that confirms good or bad? I am NOT one of those people who enjoy the gym (although mine is used by local firemen so it's not so bad ;) and if I'm wasting my time I'll try something else.

The elliptical I use is called a cross trainer? With arms and a circular foot motion.
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Replies

  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    It's good. Keep it up. It's easy on the knees. :)

    You can use it for 10 minutes to warm up before weights. You can also use it for 1/2 hour as your primary workout that day.
  • MikeM53082
    MikeM53082 Posts: 1,199 Member
    The elliptical is excellent. That's how I lost the majority of my weight. Start at 20 minutes and up your time every week or so. Elliptical is my "comfort machine" at the gym, I always gravitate toward it.
  • MrsH06
    MrsH06 Posts: 159
    I love mine and I can really feel it in my "muffin tops"!
  • christineschutte
    christineschutte Posts: 3 Member
    here is an article of a trainer explaiing why the elliptical isn't his favorite machine:
    http://xweighted.ca/blog/why-paul-plakas-hates-the-elliptical-trainer-0
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    If it gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat then it's and aerobic workout.

    Just read the article. I might have to retract the above statement. There's a lot of logic in that article. I have never had or used one.

    And never trust the calories burned on those machines. My treadmill shows more than double what I actually burn. Invest in a Polar HRM with a chest strap. (or if you have the money to spend invest in a BodyMedia Fit Armband).

    and HIIT intervals should not be more than 20-30 minutes long or you risk burning up lean muscle mass rather than fat mass.
  • paigecrowe
    paigecrowe Posts: 70 Member
    I love the elliptical too. I burn 600 calories in 45 minutes doing intervals.
  • CoachsWife4
    CoachsWife4 Posts: 79 Member
    My elliptical is HARD! It is almost a combination between a stair stepper and an elliptical, even though it wasn't advertised that way. If it's NOT a good workout, something is SERIOUSLY wrong.

    Good question!
  • ErinGiam
    ErinGiam Posts: 396 Member
    I love the elliptical..especially the kind you use! I would say keep at it, especially if its getting your heart rate up and you feel like it's working.
    Good luck!!
  • atombud
    atombud Posts: 38 Member
    I use the elliptical as my primary cardio. I go for 5 minute warmup 50 minutes of zone training and 5 minute cool down. Usually burn around 700 cals. per session. I like it better than a treadmill since it is easier on the joints and I can adjust the resistance to increase my HR. I do not last long while running in my upper HR zones but can stay on the eliptical with no problems.
  • AHealthierRhonda
    AHealthierRhonda Posts: 881 Member
    I had 2 doctors reccomend it for my use because of a hip issue and arthritis in my leg joints. I love it and ahve lsot weight and toned using it. I lost about 20 lbs a few years back, jsut by doing 30-45 minutes 3-5 days a week onit. I didn't change any eating habits or do anything else!! I absolutely LOVE my elliptical. I always change which workout I do on it. Sometimes I do the Weight Loss mode, other times I do random mode, and other times I go for a straight out jog on walk/run mode.
  • SassyStef
    SassyStef Posts: 413
    i dont have any scietific proof but I have never heard the elliptical being bad.....I am a runner so I love love to be outdoors and running but on my weight training days I use the elliptical. I do the H.I.I.T (High Intensity Interval Training) program on there. 60 second sprint and 30 second slower pace http://www.intervaltraining.net/hiit.html
    I do this for 20 minutes and I burn and sweat just as much as if I am running out doors for 45 min so what ever floats your boat :smile:

    I would like to believe any cardio other than your normal day is better than nothing, good luck to you!!
  • Keightisgr8
    Keightisgr8 Posts: 121 Member
    I've used it as pretty much my only cardio. I've lost 40lbs so far!
  • larmo22
    larmo22 Posts: 5 Member
    i have lost most my weight due to the elliptical. it works for me. that plus my diet, i averaged about 1.5 lbs a week loss, but i did it almost every day.

    unfortunately, i need to add weight training to my routine, so i have to change my workout! but thats a good thing, right?!

    good luck!
  • Lou05
    Lou05 Posts: 66 Member
    It's good. Keep it up. It's easy on the knees. :)

    You can use it for 10 minutes to warm up before weights. You can also use it for 1/2 hour as your primary workout that day.




    i would love to use this but find it hard on my knees :ohwell: am i doing it wrong, im guessing so
  • wonnder1
    wonnder1 Posts: 460
    here is an article of a trainer explaining why the elliptical isn't his favorite machine:
    http://xweighted.ca/blog/why-paul-plakas-hates-the-elliptical-trainer-0

    Thanks, that's actually the guy I was thinking of.

    That is logical, and it might be the best one I've read. But I HATE that there's no hard science behind any of them. I'm losing weight now, so I'll probably keep doing what I'm doing until it doesn't work anymore. It's funny though, I do notice that I don't get as out of breath doing the every day things (like running up stairs) as I used to.
  • shybelle
    shybelle Posts: 254 Member
    I love my elliptical! I work out on it probably 3-4 times a week and the other days I do a DVD for some weight training or I go for a run outside. I have lost 42lbs and I know the elliptical has helped me do it! I do the preset workouts that vary the resistence and I do interval of sprinting and jogging. I burn about 400-475 calories in 30 minutes!
  • toots99
    toots99 Posts: 3,794 Member
    It's good. Keep it up. It's easy on the knees. :)

    You can use it for 10 minutes to warm up before weights. You can also use it for 1/2 hour as your primary workout that day.




    i would love to use this but find it hard on my knees :ohwell: am i doing it wrong, im guessing so

    I've seen people who, when they're on the downward part, they lock their knees when their leg straightens. You should always have at least a soft bend in the knee. Locking it when it's straight over and over can cause discomfort.
  • jamiesgotagun
    jamiesgotagun Posts: 670 Member
    Well hey if the firefighters are there that would be enough motivation for me ;) I use the elliptical probably 4 out of the 5 days I go to the gym, with eating better and going to the gym I have lost 30 lbs in the last 4 1/2 months, so I would say yes it works =) Good luck!!!!
  • fsugirl26
    fsugirl26 Posts: 207
    I love love love my elliptical - it's my rainy day workout!! If I'm motivated enough to wake up earlier in the morning, I'll go on it for about 10-15 mins to get my day started and boost my metabolism.
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    I think its great.
    I lost like 15 pounds when I started doing the elliptical a few times a week and started lifting weights.


    It's not the same as running, but its effective .
  • mauryr
    mauryr Posts: 385
    I like the article as well, it makes good sense - the part about being repetitive and not like other "useful" activities resonates with "common sense". Still, I've personally had great results with the elliptical, especially in the first several months of getting fit.

    When I started using the elliptical, it was because I couldn't play racquetball for a while due to a shoulder injury. The first time I tried it I could only do 5 minutes, and even that little bit nearly killed me. After about 6 weeks, I could do an hour at a moderate setting. I've now incorporated the elliptical into my routine. It has helped me lose quite a bit of weight, and improved my stamina greatly. As I approach my goal weight, I've added the rower and the treadmill to my routine.

    Glad I tried the elliptical. It seems to help me keep losing the lbs.
    Finally getting close to my goal weight.
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
    For a calorie burn it is great. The only reason I don't like them is because the movement doesn't necessarily translate into real-world activities like running or jogging. Have you ever seen anyone elliptical any where?
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    It is for me. I used it to lose almost all of the weight seen in my ticker. I incorporate insane HIIT routines on mine. It may not be for everyone, but I have knee issues as well from being heavy + gout. It's up to you how you wanna get your cardio in, and the elliptical is just one of many machines that are suited for that.
  • ChunTingO
    ChunTingO Posts: 225 Member
    i love it!!! i burn so much on it and i sweat a lot out. its worth it!
  • JAG1224
    JAG1224 Posts: 191 Member
    i agree with others. i like the elliptical and i think it's effective and easy on your joints. i've lost 18 lbs with the elliptical being one of my main cardio workouts. keep it up, increase your time little by little. you're doing great! :happy:
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    For a calorie burn it is great. The only reason I don't like them is because the movement doesn't necessarily translate into real-world activities like running or jogging. Have you ever seen anyone elliptical any where?

    100% agreed. If you spend months doing the elliptical your endurance may be a bit betterand you may be able to run a little better, due to being more fit. But if you would have spent all that time on the treadmill you would have increased your running speed/distance by a much greater margin. As running, on the treadmill, allowed you to transition to the real world whereas nothing in the real world has you move as the elliptical does.
  • Fesse
    Fesse Posts: 611
    I lost the majority weight on mine as well... I'll never part with my elliptical!! and now I do HIIT on it for more of a calorie burn and I do the P90X DVD's
  • california_peach
    california_peach Posts: 1,809 Member
    It's good. Keep it up. It's easy on the knees. :)

    You can use it for 10 minutes to warm up before weights. You can also use it for 1/2 hour as your primary workout that day.




    i would love to use this but find it hard on my knees :ohwell: am i doing it wrong, im guessing so


    I had ACL reconstruction sugery 4 years ago and I have to be very careful on the elliptical not to let my knees go into a locked position. If that happens I will get that odd 'your using borrowed tissue in your knee feeling'. I just keep my stride on the shorter side and I am fine.
  • austepants
    austepants Posts: 356 Member
    I read the article what are the 1000 other exercises that are better for you?? I like the elliptical
  • wonnder1
    wonnder1 Posts: 460
    I read the article what are the 1000 other exercises that are better for you?? I like the elliptical


    That's my problem with these stupid articles. They all say what their opinion is, but never offer an alternative. I have no physical reason not to be able to run except for the girls (now a G and not showing any signs of going away any time soon.) It just looks stupid running and holding your boobs down at the same time.
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