Elliptical-How many minutes?

cinnamonbunz87
cinnamonbunz87 Posts: 47
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys, so I just got my very first elliptical a few days ago, the problem is I can only work out a few minutes on it before I get absolutely exhausted-is this normal when you are starting to really work out on a new machine for the first time? This is my first exercise machine EVER btw, I lost 60 pounds just by watching my eating and light exercise....I feel like I am NEVER going to be able to work up to the 30 or more minutes that I see everyone else doing...:p Thanks for any input/tips/suggestions that you have!

Replies

  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    someone told me that in running, you only go as fast as you can while still being able to hold a conversation with someone next to you.

    so go at say, 60% intensity, and keep going until you feel really tired. then go for another 5 minutes.
  • tyadrake
    tyadrake Posts: 107 Member
    When I first started on the elliptical it totally killed me! I didn't last more than 10 minutes. I had to gradually build my self up to where I go from 45 min to an hour. Stick with it, It is a wonderful workout, it tones and tightens everything :bigsmile:

    Watch the crossramp, if you hit the quickstart button, the ramp automatically raises to 10 incline. I would try initially out at say 2-4 on both the crossramp and the resistance. and switch back and forth between forward and backward. I still havn't mastered the backward with the arms, to complicated for me i guess :blushing:

    Have fun and keep up the good work!
  • cmbrysonussery
    cmbrysonussery Posts: 55 Member
    I was really fit and did 45-60 mins of the elliptical at least once a day. It's been 5 years since then and now I can get like 10 mins before I feel like I'm going to die. Keep going...it gets easier as you get stronger!
  • PennyNickel14
    PennyNickel14 Posts: 749 Member
    Do not feel bad. It took me months (upon months) to work up my walking time. Each day shoot for just a little longer!

    You can do this!
  • Lisa_222
    Lisa_222 Posts: 301 Member
    I can do 20 and I'm old and fat. If I can do it, so can you. I started with 5 and almost passed out. Just do what you can do and the next time, increase it by two minutes and then by 5 mintues and then by 10 minutes. Pretty soon you'll be up to a half hour, no problem.
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    It's always really hard to train your body to do something it hasn't previously done. Stick with it, increase your time by a minute every day. I know you can do this!!
  • getnhealthymum
    getnhealthymum Posts: 32
    When I started doing the elliptical I could only go for like 5 minutes max. Now I do anywhere from 45-60. It just takes time. Maybe try going for one more minute than the previous time every time you do it.
  • cpeterson70
    cpeterson70 Posts: 19 Member
    The elliptical is a hard machine, not as hard as the step in my opinion, but MUCH harder than the stationary bike or the treadmill.

    I remember the first time I had ever gotten on the elliptical at the gym with my friend years ago. I thought I'd die about 5-10 minutes in and she went for 30 minutes like nothing. I've gotten back on it again this past summer and have had to work my way up the minutes. Today, I went 45 and really could have kept going, but got really bored. It's pretty boring to be in one place for 45 minutes. Just try to go a little longer every few days...soon you will be on the elliptical for 30 minutes and surprise yourself.
  • 3kidsin3years
    3kidsin3years Posts: 116 Member
    For me at least, totally normal. When I started, 5 mins was a challenge. Figure out what a good time is for you right now, so that you're tired when you're done, but not like you can't go any further. Do that for a week, then bump it up a couple of minutes for another week, the next week, do the same, just keep bumping it up a little at a time. When you get to a time frame that you want to do, then add the resistance. Just my advice, I'm not a professional, but this is what I did. Hope it helps!
  • bethdris
    bethdris Posts: 1,090 Member
    I first started out on an elliptical for 10 mins, and slowly worked my way to longer.The one we had broke, so now I use a treadmill and run/jog/walk for about 30-60 mins a night.
  • tonitack1
    tonitack1 Posts: 3
    Seriously...5 minutes I lasted and that with with my favorite TV show on. I now do an hour at a time with increased depth and tension. It's something different...push yourself out of your comfort zone every time you are on it and eventually ( within a couple of weeks) you will see your comfort zone max is stretched
  • Genem30
    Genem30 Posts: 431 Member
    It sounds like you're trying to kill yourself on it. Start slowly and hit a pace that you're comfortable with, don't try to sprint to the finish line on an elliptical Day One or you're going to hate it. I started at about 10-15 minutes at a time doing around 80 strides/min. Now I'm doing 45 minutes 3-4 times/week and I'm around 125-130 strides/per minute. Once you learn to control the elliptical instead of it controlling you, I find it to be 10x more satisfying than a treadmill.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    The first time I got on an elliptical I lasted 2 minutes. The second time, 7 minutes. I avoided the beast for a few months, and focused on running instead, and then was able to go on as long as I wanted.
  • butterflimom
    butterflimom Posts: 121
    Don't feel bad about it. You need to build up your endurance. I started out with only 5 minutes and felt so frustrated, but honestly that was all that I could hold out to do. Now, if my feet don't go numb I can go 30-45 minutes. It's a great machine and wonderful calorie burner. Just give it a few weeks and you will begin to love it!
  • Gunff
    Gunff Posts: 47
    I started out at 10 minutes and was tired and sore for a few days, and am now up to an hour. One thing to note is the resistance (set it as low as possible to start) and keep the RPMs low when you start or you'll burn out fast.

    What I notice is that once I start going and watching TV or reading I speed up more and more, so try to keep an eye on that.
  • Fleabee99
    Fleabee99 Posts: 2
    Try averaging a full turn of both legs per second, also ive just lost 8kg by using solely a cross trainer and i did 20mins per day 5-6 times per week, however the one i used was the second one ive ever bought, the first one was an everlast one from argos which had a very small stride for your legs therefore i couldnt stand it longer than a couple of mins, my new one is a Kettler (big german beasty job lol) with a bigger stride therefore i can stand it for longer, start on the lower intensity/weight and just try and add a minute or two per week to what you can handle, i find that my legs ache now still although this wears off after about 10mins when i get into it, remember 10mins is 100cals burned so every little helps :)

    hope this helps and good luck, i love my cross trainer =)
    (doesnt ruin my knees like my tredmill does =P )
  • allie1904
    allie1904 Posts: 248
    Slowly increase the time you spend on it. Try maintaining your HR above 60% and see how long you can maintain it for. Then the next day try for an extra 2 minutes and so on.

    I like to spend about 30 minutes on the cross trainer as It's one of the things I enjoy.
  • merryfaith
    merryfaith Posts: 81 Member
    I have a schwinn, and it has different programs and levels. I started level 1 of the "leisurely ride" program and put in only 15 minutes. I had to be sure to warm up a bit and then stretch after going slowly for a couple minutes (I still do, actually) and then managed to increase my time and then try other programs like the cross training and the ramp interval. you've gotta work up to it for sure, though.

    here's a good beginning elliptical workout, too, though it is longer than 10 minutes! http://www.fitsugar.com/Beginning-Elliptical-Workout-7136874
  • AndrewMortimer
    AndrewMortimer Posts: 1 Member
    You can always find your target heart rate and use a monitor to bring and keep your heart in that zone. And I heard 30min of cardio a day is good for your heart. Also 3500 calories a week = 1lb, so 3500/7= 500. So I aim for 500 calories in 30min. I get that in about 5 times a week. But the bit about "being able to hold a conversation" during your cardio is also a great rule of thumb. Good diet will make up for everything.
  • Sassi50
    Sassi50 Posts: 67 Member
    When I used to work out at the gym I would WATCH people on the beast for 30 mins (I was actually riding a stationary bike). I hated getting on the elliptical for years, but ended up buying one so that I had no excuse not to work out. I managed about 5 min on it for the first week or so and then slowly increased my time. Now I put in 40 min most days on a higher level of restistance and could probably do an hour (but don't have the time). It will come, just cut yourself some slack while your body gets used to the effort!!!
  • JulieSD
    JulieSD Posts: 567
    When I first started to reuse mine in August I put on a tv show all set to hop on like the old days and pump out 30 mins. NO WAY did that happen. I did 2 mins and I was dead. I pushed myself for 3 more minutes and had to stop. I felt like a lazy *kitten* for letting that happen to myself. I kept at it and on Oct 15 I did a full 60 minutes at level 2. It just takes patience ;)

    I usually do intervals for about 30 mins because thats all I have time for. Play around and see what you like best.

    Good Luck!
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    8 weeks ago I couldn't go more than about 5 minutes on level 1 before my legs were burning. Yesterday I did an hour at level 5. It gets easier and the calorie burn you can get is very worth it.
  • tbelivea
    tbelivea Posts: 94 Member
    Don't get discouraged, it just takes a while for some people to work up to it :) When I started I'd do 3 mins on and 1 minute rest. I've been using it religiously for nearly 10 months now and I still need to hop off for a breather and sip of water about every 10-15 minutes. I'm now usually able to go for 35-45 minutes total, but I've done an hour a few times now :D I find if I set goal for myself to go without stopping (say 3 minutes at first) and keep doing that until it becomes easier then challenge myself to go for more. I would also recommend setting it up in front of a TV. I find if I start to get into my show, the minutes fly by :D
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