Want better results???? Ditch the elliptical and......

Ellipticals are actually good for people with bad knees, I burn and have lost a lot of weight using one, it does over estimate calories burned but with a HRM I still burn twice as much in the same time as the treadmill. So "ditching" the elliptical doesn't work for everyone...

The readouts are bs. elliptical does not burn more than treadmill..unnless you're walking on the treadmill and not really running. It's all about exertion. If you're on an elliptical and barely breaking a sweat, then run on treadmill and pour sweat and are panting with exertion..I don't care what the 'readouts" say...you're burning more when you exert more.

You do realize that the elliptical machine has a resistance setting, right?

yup. and, at least at my gym, you can increase the incline as well. and then get into the programs. interval training is tough, but hills/cross country is even tougher. and, like you said, keep the speed up. I tend to settle between 150 and 170 on a good night, never really below the 130s even if I crank up resistance.

I was always under the impression that the stair master builds butt and thigh muscles. I certainly don't need any of those... You're just using your legs to walk up stairs. Wouldn't a workout that worked multiple areas be best like with running (or the terrifying elliptical)?

The ellpitcal employs zero resistance really and "works" your heart some..but no real muscles.

That's just pure BS.

Why are people so fond of blanket statements around her. Reality is much more nuanced than people want it to be.

I have NEVER seen someone get a sculpted look from an ellipitical (or a treadmill...but there is a reason for that too). However, the step mill does wonders for heart/*kitten*/legs. Also, you can mix up yourmovement on it. I usually do a minute of climbing up, turn to the left side and do a side step in front and behind for a minute, then do the other side. You can also do it backwards. Some people take two steps at a time ( I did this when I was training for the run up the grouse grind, as the steps up to the top are very steep). So, you not only work your quads and bum, you can also work the muscles of your thighs, inner and outer as well as gain balance if you don't hold the rails at all. this machine is much more versatile, and gets better results overall both for cardio and body sculpting.

So you double-down with more blanket statements. Gotcha.

so the problem, then, isn't the machine, but the one on it.

Skip all that shiz and lift heavy

Go for a long walk on rest days, do something light etc

Ellipticals are actually good for people with bad knees, I burn and have lost a lot of weight using one, it does over estimate calories burned but with a HRM I still burn twice as much in the same time as the treadmill. So "ditching" the elliptical doesn't work for everyone...

The readouts are bs. elliptical does not burn more than treadmill..unnless you're walking on the treadmill and not really running. It's all about exertion. If you're on an elliptical and barely breaking a sweat, then run on treadmill and pour sweat and are panting with exertion..I don't care what the 'readouts" say...you're burning more when you exert more.

You do realize that the elliptical machine has a resistance setting, right?

Of course, but as you said "you set your own pace", and people tend to not to push themselves to the point of exaustion or high exertion on those things. Do some? Sure..but most do not. With a step mill (or treadmill), you can't cheat it. it's going X miles an hour..and you better keep up with it or you're flying off the back, or in teh case of the step mill...sinking to the floor. it forces you out of your comfort zone. Now, if you are one of those rare individuals who pushes your self hard without needing that push..good for you..but you are in the minority as far as people at the gym go. I've been a trainer for 10 years. Most people need the push.
I know I do sometimes!

I'm going to have to approach all of those hot, fit girls I see on the elliptical machines every day and tell them they are wasting their time.

(1) Cannot afford gym fees; (2) Cost of one of those machines is OVER $2,000 and up to around $5,000; 3) I moved from my lovely home to this nice two story apt. building for those over age 55. I'm on the 2nd floor and our building has an elevator BUT... I'm taking the stairs a lot more these days & wearing my FitBit.

(4) Climbing the stairs, regularly, for fitness is FREE
(5) I keep my car in the parking garage under the building. Now, when I come in with groceries, I don't use the elevator to haul them upstairs in one trip. I carry them up and make as many trips with the bags as necessary. To begin with, carrying a heavier load up the stairs helps burn more calories AND.... I'm getting my flights of stairs in for fitness for the day.
(6) I'll be 75 in early December this year. What's your excuse?

Can I email this to my office, who descends on anyone who loses weight for quick tips but uses the elevator to go up 1 flight of stairs?

This content has been removed.

so the problem, then, isn't the machine, but the one on it.

Exactly. Chipmaniac is correct, you get out of it what you put into it. I can only explain this as lack of familiarity or image.

Skip all that shiz and lift heavy

Go for a long walk on rest days, do something light etc

Yeah....that will help my heart and lungs be healthy. If only my mom had just lifted heavy she wouldn't be slowly dying of congestive heart failure.

Skip all that shiz and lift heavy

Go for a long walk on rest days, do something light etc

Yeah....that will help my heart and lungs be healthy. If only my mom had just lifted heavy she wouldn't be slowly dying of congestive heart failure.

If my grandmother had done some resistance training she probably would be able to walk instead of her bones hurting even when she's just sitting in her chair.

A combination of both works best. And cardio is really just a matter of preference. You can do low/moderate/high intensity on any machine or any cardiovascular exercise.

Want better results?
Change up your routine, frequently!
I use the elliptical trainer but I don't get into a static one pace trance/zone for an hour. I do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) while on it. That means shorter time(30-35 minutes) doing intense speed intervals... But there are many many different versions of HIIT.. Very effective and time conscious!
However, I also run, trail run, hike, spin, bike ride, take boot camp, strength train and do Pilates.
Changing up your workout, routinely, prevents your body from "getting used to" any one particular exercise.
Simple things, such as varying the order in which you do your workout even helps (for example, if you usually lift weights before cardio, do cardio first then lift.)
No one exercise will continue to give you the same results forever, period.. Eventually we will stop making progress and will need to switch things up!

Yay! I'm not the only one who doesn't like the elliptical. I always said it didn't feel natural to me. My friends thought I was just being silly. My body just doesn't quite move that way. I haven't been to a gym in awhile, but if I do, I'll try the stairs. (My favorite thing at the gym is the rowing machine)

I used the elliptical a bunch at the beginning of my journey, and transitioned to the treadmill and then to street running. it was a great way to help build my confidence and improve my cardio endurance, but after a while it stopped being a challenge, hence the switch to running.

The only time I every do it now is if I want some easy cardio or a low impact workout. It has it's place, but it's definitely good to add in some other cardio.

I guess I am fat and old, then, because the elliptical works great for me. I don't wimp out. I work hard. I sweat. I burn. I lose weight. I feel good. My knees don't grind (like they do on a step or Arc machine). Thanks for your support.

Nice commercial for the other thing. Good luck with that. You're a distributor, right?

When you become a fitness trainer and have earned the right to tell everyone that you know better than us, please, please do let us know. I'm glad the stair thing works for you. That doesn't mean it's the best exercise for everybody. Even us fat, old people.

Me, too! I want to be just like you!!