Have elliptical....might as well use it. HiiT workout ideas?

nutritionwhiz
nutritionwhiz Posts: 221
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
I have any elliptical machine that I have been using for the last year. Started with one pre-set workout that I did until it seemed too easy. Ever once-in-while I would switch it up. Then had surgery so back to the basic pre-set workout I liked until it seemed easy again. After reading more posts I have been trying to switch up which pre-set workout that I do so that my body doesn't get stuck in a routine. Also, the last few months I have been going for walks on weekend mornings so I probably only do elliptical workouts 2 days a week instead of 3-5 days. Recently on my morning walks I have been trying to increase the intensity (kinda my own version of HiiT). So I was curious how to do this on an elliptical. I found some info online but was just wondering if anyone if this group is doing HiiT on the elliptical and what your workouts look like. Thanks is advance. One thing, with my elliptical I can only change the tension not the incline.

Replies

  • macnurseapril
    macnurseapril Posts: 53 Member
    I did an HIIT on friday. I set the machine to level 7 (pretty tough on my machine-lots of resistance, no change in incline) and timed my intervals. It was wicked hard. Have fun!
  • fmbomzo
    fmbomzo Posts: 382 Member
    One routine is with minimum resistance:
    Warmup - 5 mins - low speed
    Intervals - 30 secs high speed/60 secs low speed (high speed is twice the low speed at least) for 25 mins
    Cooldown - 5 mins - low speed

    Another is:
    Warmup - 5 mins - at level 4
    Intervals as follows:
    60 secs at level 4, then 6, 7, 8, 9; after 9 rotate back down to 4 and keep repeating sequence for 23 mins
    For 2 mins, set a level 10 or higher (as high as you can stand without decreasing steps/min)
    Cooldown - 5 mins - level 4
  • twoboys2012
    twoboys2012 Posts: 352 Member
    I love my e-trainer. I use it to do 5 min warm up and then do 20 mins of fast 90 secs (17km/hr) and slow 90 secs (12.6km/hr. then 5 min cool down.

    I have a good old sweat up on and feels like worked hard
  • nutritionwhiz
    nutritionwhiz Posts: 221
    Thanks for the suggestions. I downloaded an app and did my first HiiT workout tonight. Total of 30 mins -5 min warm up and cool down
    Did 6 sets with 30 sec work at 9 tension and 3 min recovery at 3 tension. I think I'm going to try 2 min recovery next time as 3 minutes seemed a little long, and hopefully going for 1 min at higher tension.

    I did like it and definitely got sweaty!
  • fmbomzo
    fmbomzo Posts: 382 Member
    HIIT is addictive. It really gets my heart going and I feel so accomplished at the end. It seems to speed up the fat burning because I notice changes faster when I incorporate it at least once a week.
  • trishadams
    trishadams Posts: 104 Member
    HIIT is addictive. It really gets my heart going and I feel so accomplished at the end. It seems to speed up the fat burning because I notice changes faster when I incorporate it at least once a week.

    ITA. Hiit is addictive. I do it at least 1 x per week on my elliptical (no incline). After my warm up I do 7 intervals of 30/30 (30 sec hard work/30 sec easy work) or 40/20 (40 sec hard work/20 sec easy work) for 3 rounds with a 1 min rest between rounds. My hr stays elevated for a good while afterwards. I adjust my work (push resistance more or speed) based on how I'm feeling.
  • nutritionwhiz
    nutritionwhiz Posts: 221
    Awesome! Just preset a bunch of new timings in my app!
  • techmom29
    techmom29 Posts: 103
    bumping for later referencing.
  • rds532
    rds532 Posts: 106 Member
    Thanks for the suggestions. I downloaded an app and did my first HiiT workout tonight. Total of 30 mins -5 min warm up and cool down
    Did 6 sets with 30 sec work at 9 tension and 3 min recovery at 3 tension. I think I'm going to try 2 min recovery next time as 3 minutes seemed a little long, and hopefully going for 1 min at higher tension.

    Silly question - is the app for your phone? If so, what did you use? I have an elliptical too and wanted to try HiiT but wasn't sure how to do this. Thanks.
  • knowak82
    knowak82 Posts: 200 Member

    Silly question - is the app for your phone? If so, what did you use? I have an elliptical too and wanted to try HiiT but wasn't sure how to do this. Thanks.

    Bump...what is this app you speak of? I'm intrigued, do tell. I have a Nordic Track elliptical, can I use this app with my elliptical, or does it have to be a specific brand???
  • nutritionwhiz
    nutritionwhiz Posts: 221
    I downloaded an app on my 'smart phone' I tried out a few and the one I like the best is called HiiT interval training timer has a black shadow of a runner with a white background.

    Has some preset timings for Tabata, fat loss, 10 mins 30/30 and then you can also build your own work/rest timing with warm up and cool down times, has a whistle to signal when to increase or decrease the tension.

    I found this one the easiest app to use and the only one with preset timings already in.

    I just set my phone on the ledge in front of my display. Then I have been using the calories calculated by the machine for logging.
  • knowak82
    knowak82 Posts: 200 Member
    I downloaded an app on my 'smart phone' I tried out a few and the one I like the best is called HiiT interval training timer has a black shadow of a runner with a white background.

    Has some preset timings for Tabata, fat loss, 10 mins 30/30 and then you can also build your own work/rest timing with warm up and cool down times, has a whistle to signal when to increase or decrease the tension.

    I found this one the easiest app to use and the only one with preset timings already in.

    I just set my phone on the ledge in front of my display. Then I have been using the calories calculated by the machine for logging.

    Thank you!!! Going to download the app now...
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