55 sec on the elliptical!!!

ScottyNoHotty
ScottyNoHotty Posts: 1,957 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, last night I did 30 min of running/walking in 2 min intervals on the dreadmill. Then , 30 min on the recumbrent bike at 18mph.
I thought, "what the hell, I'm feeling good, sweaty as hell, I'll try the elliptical for the first time". 55 SECONDS ON LEVEL 1 !!!!
Thats all. Is this normal?? Granted I weigh 295, and my knees are in bad shape after 20 years, but come on! Should I try something different? It feels weird not lifting my heels during the movement.

Replies

  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    Your muscles are learning the pattern and letting you know they aren't happy. The first time on the elliptical I could only do about 10 minutes. Now I can do 45. Give your muscles time. I feel like it really helped train my muscles to have more endurance and speed on the treadmill and since I will be doing another 1/2 marathon this summer, that's important.
  • BeeElMarvin
    BeeElMarvin Posts: 2,086 Member
    It's hard to get use to the first time you use it. Push through it - start on it next time. It should be better on your knees than the treadmill.
  • DawnVanSlim
    DawnVanSlim Posts: 10,468 Member
    55 secs is awesome though, at least you got on it and did it. And you can only get better from there. That is my favorite part of working out is seeing how much I am improving. If you get on it tomorrow and do 90 secs, that is a WIN! When I started running on the treadmill I couldnt run longer then 2 mins! That was like a year ago, and now I am running 40 mins at a time. I love to see improvement, it makes me happy :) Keep on truckin, you got this!
  • ourhennhouse
    ourhennhouse Posts: 5 Member
    That sounds like our routine, going thru the circuit! I just keep climbing on the elliptical and seconds keep building, soon I'll be up to 2 minutes :)
  • minimaggie
    minimaggie Posts: 224 Member
    I made it to 3 and a half minutes yesterday and was ecstatic!!!
  • kmbrleykay
    kmbrleykay Posts: 79
    The first time I used an elliptical I had already walked my first half marathon, granted I still had quite a bit of weight to lose, but I felt like I was in shape. I was dying after 10 mins, but forced myself to stay on for 20 (because after all, I could walk for 3.5 hours, no problem) That 20 mins was one of my biggest exercise mistakes ever. I could almost not walk the next day, my legs were so sore. Keep at it, you will get there. I now do 30 mins elliptical, 30 treadmill & 30 bike. I do the elliptical 1st while I am fresh.
  • KelLifts
    KelLifts Posts: 99 Member
    omg my first time I died doing 5 mins. But I can easily do 60 mins now. Just gotta slightly increase as you go and soon you will be surprised and proud at how much you can do. :)
  • KareninCanada
    KareninCanada Posts: 962 Member
    The elliptical and I have an understanding. I don't bother it, and it doesn't hurt me.
  • Micheller1210
    Micheller1210 Posts: 460 Member
    I am up to two minutes on it, my first time couldn't do a full minute but i get on try, stop and try again. But I can walk and jog for 3 miles no problem.....soon i hope to have increased, my goal is 10 minutes.
  • jenny95662
    jenny95662 Posts: 997 Member
    yes first time i could do a min then 2nd maybe 3 min then once i got myself up to 10 min i could do more now i can do 2 hours if i want (i am 280 pounds) so it will get better i promise lol
  • katie133
    katie133 Posts: 210 Member
    I dont know what it is about the elliptical, but you really have to push yourself to stay on it.. I can be on the treadmill forever and not get that tired.. but the first time i did the elliptical i was at 10 mins, and dying after. I found the more i forced myself to stay on and push through, the better I got. Within a month i have gone from doing 10 mins on level one to doing 50 mins on level six.. stick with it and you will do great!
  • Dahavol
    Dahavol Posts: 46
    Depending on how tall you are and how the elliptical is set up, you might be having issues with stride length. Taller guys on gym machines that are set for everyone, can be forced to move at a stride that is far shorter than their natural gait. I know some people that find that this really messes with their knees, ankles, and really makes the elliptical an overall bad experience. Its not my issue, but if you think it might be you might want to sample other elliptical machines in your gym. Different brands use different stride shapes and lengths.
  • DannyMussels
    DannyMussels Posts: 1,842 Member
    I'm in pretty good shape, and used an elliptical at a hotel about a month ago, even after only a minute or two, the crazy angles made me pretty sore. It used to be my main (and preferred) form of cardio 3-4yrs ago.

    It's always nice to switch up your routine though. I try to monthly.
  • finchase
    finchase Posts: 174
    The first time I got on it I think I managed about one minute, That was last June. I was having a lot of issues with plantar fascitis, and that ligament was absolutely screaming at me to stop. But I kept trying and I gradually worked my way up, and now it's great--definitely my primary form of cardio. I did 71 minutes this morning and another 40 this evening, and that's now normal for me.
  • biddy249
    biddy249 Posts: 76 Member
    Next time, go for 56 seconds, then 57 seconds the following trip. Just push it a little bit further each time and your will be surprised where you end up down the road. Good job!
  • emstgm
    emstgm Posts: 117 Member
    Great for trying it out! I too nearly died the first time I did it - I did like 2 minutes - it was awful. Now I do an hour on level 12-13. I sweat and breathe hard, but I can do it and it feels good. Stick with it - you will find your endurance increases quickly.
  • stablesong
    stablesong Posts: 224
    Pretty much all of my cardio at the gym is elliptical (save for a five minute cool down on the treadmill). I don't remember what I started out at, probably 10 or so, but I remember it left me incredibly sore. My thighs and butt were really bad. Now I do 30-35 minutes each time, and every now and then I will do more. I think it gives me the best workout and the most "bang for my buck" as far as calories burned per minute goes. Just from doing the elliptical on level 5 (and now a few minutes on 10), my calf muscles have gotten a lot bigger and my legs have gotten much stronger.
  • nnylee
    nnylee Posts: 811 Member
    It's definitely hard when you start, especially if you do it in reverse. Just keep at it and it'll be easy as pie in no time!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    maybe it's not the machine for you?

    it doesnt feel natural to me so i only use it when the main cardio machines i use arent available
  • Carita79
    Carita79 Posts: 64 Member
    i so understand!
    I did 20mins tonite on my favorite elliptical at gym..and that was pushing it..was ready to stop at 14mins!
    its my 3rd time on it and i love the circular type of movement compared to the treadmill..
    cant wait till i can go and hour and not feel like im gonna puke :)
  • leadoff
    leadoff Posts: 136 Member
    The elliptical is a totally different monster for me. I am an avid runner and can run circles around my wife on pavement, but she can kick my butt when it comes to elliptical training! I used the elliptical back when I was training for my first half-marathon, and I firmly believe it helped build endurance and strength in my legs that I otherwise would not have achieved with regular running. I don't think I ever went over 30 minutes on that dang machine, though!
  • ScottyNoHotty
    ScottyNoHotty Posts: 1,957 Member
    Ok, last night, I got on the elliptical first. I did 5 very hard minutes, but felt good. I'm only 5'-8 1/2" and have short legs. My stride is only about 28" - 30". I found myself holding on to the grab bars to take all the pressure off my knees. I was on level 1, and it was a beast! I just don't think that this is the right thing for me to do just yet, because of my current weight. Any suggestions? I need to mix up my cardio a little, the treadmill and bike are OK, but I want to try other things.
  • mixedfeelings
    mixedfeelings Posts: 904 Member
    I find it very hard but worthwhile. I've just bought myself a new one. It took me ages to build up, whenever I stop I lose it again, I think I can stay on it for 7 minutes top at the moment.

    I find it best if I avoid looking at the time.
  • katetaylor999
    katetaylor999 Posts: 54 Member
    Ok, last night, I got on the elliptical first. I did 5 very hard minutes, but felt good. I'm only 5'-8 1/2" and have short legs. My stride is only about 28" - 30". I found myself holding on to the grab bars to take all the pressure off my knees. I was on level 1, and it was a beast! I just don't think that this is the right thing for me to do just yet, because of my current weight. Any suggestions? I need to mix up my cardio a little, the treadmill and bike are OK, but I want to try other things.
    well done - good on you :) You got back on the horse, so to speak, and kicked its *kitten*!!
  • katetaylor999
    katetaylor999 Posts: 54 Member
    The elliptical and I have an understanding. I don't bother it, and it doesn't hurt me.
    LOVE this!!
  • MissAlexxMarie
    MissAlexxMarie Posts: 171
    The first time I did elliptical it hurt like hell. I never did it before and I thought I was going to collapse, my EVERYTHING hurt....the next time you do it - you'll go for more and more. Don't try and speed up, go on a slow pace and you'll get there. Now I do elliptical every day!
  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    I now do 30 mins elliptical, 30 treadmill & 30 bike. I do the elliptical 1st while I am fresh.

    This is what I do for my long workout days, but add 30 minutes circuit or 30 minutes with my trainer. I'll switch the times back and forth, sometimes do 45 elliptical, 45 treadmill plus circuit or some other combination just to keep my body guessing and responding.
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