Elliptical Problems

BrandiAnn66
BrandiAnn66 Posts: 15 Member
edited November 13 in Fitness and Exercise
I have a magnetic resitance elliptical (read: its like pedaling a bike while standing up). Its the only piece of equipment that i have room for in my home.
The 2 main problems I have:
1. Grinding in my knees (probably worn down cartilage- I weigh 295 as of today). Any suggestions on how to relieve that?
2. Cramps in the bottom of my feet. I have tried everything I can think of- potassium supplements, foot braces, being properly hydrated, etc etc etc. I even found online to try to kind of "roll" your feet from heel to toe like you're walking. Does anyone else have this prob lem or is it just me?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • zebberm37
    zebberm37 Posts: 1 Member
    With the foot thing I roll mine on a cricket ball, and you can get feet rollers there good
  • Marjael
    Marjael Posts: 111 Member
    edited November 2016
    Not sure if this is the same thing you're experiencing or not. I have an elliptical that I rarely use (I prefer to run anyway) because 20 min into a workout, my feet start going numb. From what I've read, it's caused by the constant contact of your feet on the petals. I find that keeping my shoes laced looser and lifting my feet slightly from the petal on the up swing helps a little and I can make it to the 30 or 45 min mark.

    IMO, best thing you can do for your knees is strength training and yoga. Body weight squats and lunges can work wonders.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    edited November 2016
    Marjael wrote: »
    Not sure if this is the same thing you're experiencing or not. I have an elliptical that I rarely use (I prefer to run anyway) because 20 min into a workout, my feet start going numb. From what I've read, it's caused by the constant contact of your feet on the petals. I find that keeping my shoes laced looser and lifting my feet slightly from the petal on the up swing helps a little and I can make it to the 30 or 45 min mark.

    IMO, best thing you can do for your knees is strength training and yoga. Body weight squats and lunges can work wonders.

    Foot numbness can be caused by your shoes
  • Lynzdee18
    Lynzdee18 Posts: 500 Member
    I love the elliptical. It doesn't hurt my knees and feet like pounding on a treadmill does.

    Maybe your resistance or incline is too great?
  • BrandiAnn66
    BrandiAnn66 Posts: 15 Member

    Lynzdee18 wrote: »
    I love the elliptical. It doesn't hurt my knees and feet like pounding on a treadmill does.

    Maybe your resistance or incline is too great?

    Lol. No incline and the resistance is set at 0. I'm not ready for that yet!
  • BrandiAnn66
    BrandiAnn66 Posts: 15 Member
    Marjael wrote: »
    Not sure if this is the same thing you're experiencing or not. I have an elliptical that I rarely use (I prefer to run anyway) because 20 min into a workout, my feet start going numb. From what I've read, it's caused by the constant contact of your feet on the petals. I find that keeping my shoes laced looser and lifting my feet slightly from the petal on the up swing helps a little and I can make it to the 30 or 45 min mark.

    IMO, best thing you can do for your knees is strength training and yoga. Body weight squats and lunges can work wonders.

    Thank you! I will try lifting my feet to see if that helps.
  • BrandiAnn66
    BrandiAnn66 Posts: 15 Member
    Thanks everybody!
  • MsAmandaNJ
    MsAmandaNJ Posts: 1,248 Member
    Not sure about the grinding in the knees, the elliptical is a good choice because it seems to put less stress on the joints. At what point is there grinding? Do you hyperextend your knees at some point? I have a habit of doing that, found I have to consciously keep my knees with a very slight bend to avoid problems.

    Some days, my feet will start to cramp, I do find picking them up for a few steps brings relief. Are you barefoot or in shoes? Definitely wear shoes as being barefoot, you tend to grab with the toes...shoes don't really allow that to happen.
  • RemarkablyUnremarkable
    RemarkablyUnremarkable Posts: 63 Member
    I just wanted to chime in and say I can relate! Going from a sedentary office job to even a few minutes on an elliptical my feet went numb, legs felt like they were falling off :/ I felt it all in my knees and shins and couldn't stay on long. I bought some knee braces and slipper like shoes and it helped a bunch! My feet used to go numb very easy in laced shoes. The important thing is you are moving! Even if its just one minute, do one minute daily until that is easier. I promise as you add even seconds to your time it will get easier and before you know it your on 5,10,20 minutes and so on! Get it girl! You can do it!!! :)
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    go try some different ellipticals. Most gyms offer a few days free. In my experience, ellipticals are very "fit" oriented - they either fit your stride or they don't. You have to try some to see if yours fit well. That might help the foot cramps.

    As for the knee grinding, that sounds like you might need to go see a doctor. Do they do anything like that while walking, going up stairs, riding a bike, etc?
  • plsletthiswork
    plsletthiswork Posts: 1 Member
    This used to happen to me as well. In an attempt to figure out why, I tried putting pressure on my heels rather than the balls of my feet. No issues after I switched my form. I also have noticed that it bothers my knees sometimes though... no solution for that. :(
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