Tips for Using an Elipical

gramarye
gramarye Posts: 586 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
After my typical winter hibernation, I finally started working on my running again last week. I found a time in my day where the gym visit fit perfectly, and have taken the running indoors so that I do it even when the weather is bad. (I'm such a fair weather runner that it's not even funny.)

Thing is, by Friday afternoon I found myself with a weird pain in one breast* ever time I tried to run, and with my hips feeling sort of weird and sore. I'm assuming that I just pushed myself too hard after a largely sedentary winter, but unfortunately, rest over the weekend hasn't solved it. Rather than skip the gym, I just figured I'd try out the elliptical this week as a lower-impact cardio option.

Except I've never used an elliptical. Like, I don't even understand how it works; it seems like it would be mostly momentum doing the work. I figured I'd stop by here and see if y'all had any advice for how to approach this new machinery for my reprieve from running this week. And if anyone has any been-there-done-that advice for weird running pains, I wouldn't mind that as well. :D

(* There are bra support issues that must be resolved, and should be soon.)

Replies

  • hhadley06
    hhadley06 Posts: 8 Member
    Ellipticals aren't ideal, but they are good for a lower impact option! I like to do an interval workout (sometimes they have settings for this, sometimes you have to do it manually) in which I alternate between an 'easy work' baseline and a harder interval. How to adjust the settings are going to depend on your specific elliptical. My advice would be to either ask a gym employee or to hop on one and play around with the settings!

    I typically to a 5 minute 'easy' warm up and then go for about 30-40 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cool down. I personally like 3-4 minute 'hard' intervals interspersed with 2-3 minute 'easy' intervals.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    hhadley06 wrote: »
    Ellipticals aren't ideal, but they are good for a lower impact option! I like to do an interval workout (sometimes they have settings for this, sometimes you have to do it manually) in which I alternate between an 'easy work' baseline and a harder interval. How to adjust the settings are going to depend on your specific elliptical. My advice would be to either ask a gym employee or to hop on one and play around with the settings!

    I typically to a 5 minute 'easy' warm up and then go for about 30-40 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cool down. I personally like 3-4 minute 'hard' intervals interspersed with 2-3 minute 'easy' intervals.

    Cool, thanks for the tips! I'm not adverse to playing around, so I'll give it a look. :D

    That sounds fairly similar to how I run, actually. (I'm still working on endurance, so I spend the 40 minutes of gym time pushing how long I can run, interspersed with brisk walking to catch my breath/give my body a brief break.)
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    I remember when I first started using the elliptical...it felt so akward! Maybe start with one that doesn't have moving arms too so you can get used to the leg movements. I was working with a trainer and he had me start with just 5 minutes, then upped it in 5 minute increments. It is a nice low impact option. I do the interval programs that are built in and they are excellent at getting the heart rate up!
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    It does look really awkward! Thanks! :D
  • jirisg92
    jirisg92 Posts: 15 Member
    I like the "hill" option. It goes from different resistances. I would also recommend to higher the level of resistance. Try out Manuel first if you find that level 1 on resistance is too easy higher it up til you feel that your being pushed but not to pushed. Figure out what level resistance you can handle then try the hill option if your elliptical offers it. Even though the hill option goes through different resistances keep in mind the lowest will be on the level you set.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Crank the crap out of the resistance. Then it won't feel like you're just gliding with momentum.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    I think the elliptical is great exercise. I'm not sure why it is not "ideal" aside from the fact that no exercise is "ideal." I can't run due to osteoarthritis in my knees so it is a godsend for me.

    I agree that if it is too easy you should crank the resistance. All exercise involves momentum, including running, biking, swimming, etc.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    Thanks for your responses, y'all. :D I went and tried it out yesterday -- and it was significantly more challenging than I expected! Like, my legs were sore throughout the evening in a way they usually aren't after running.

    However, it was perfect in that I was able to keep moving faster and longer than when running without the pain from my breasts bouncing. I don't know that it'll be my new favorite exercise, but it'll definitely be my go-to until I replace my sports bra this weekend. (And in the future if I'm sore, etc.)
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