Anyone have an elliptical exercise machine?

[MaryAnnDVC]

Good? Worth it? Pros/cons?

TIA

 

[AZKathy]

I hear it is one of the best work our machines and is it low impact. It costs a lot and takes up room in one's home. We got one and the hardest thing is getting DH motivated to get on it when he wanted it! As soon as I get the okay to get on it (I have a back injury), I plan on getting on it to get some weight down.

 

[lrmillen]

if you'll use it, sure it's worth it. it's easier on the body than a treadmill and will give you the same workout.

 

[Crankyshank]

I have a horizons from Dick's and I love it. I hate exercising and I find a few min on the elliptical is great exercise and easy to fit in my schedule and doesn't bore me.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I have one, and I live by it. Watch for sales at Sears. You can get a Pro Form(a?) for < $300. It takes a while to work up to it, but it gives you a great sweat. I can do it for an hour at a time, but it took me a while to build up to that. My BF can't do it for 15 minutes (don't EVER tell him I told you that! ).

It was the best investment -- I keep it downstairs in my basement, and I have a DVD player/TV/VCR so I can watch TV while I work out. Now I have no excuses, and I work out at least 4-5x/week. Awesome!

 

[JimB.]

I've used one at the gym and found it VERY hard on my lower back.

Other's I know swear by them.

I dunno', maybe I was just assembled wrong.......................

 

[elismom]

its sitting right by my computer staring at me!

 

[MScott1851]

I don't own one, but joined a gym for the first time five days ago, and the elliptical trainer is kicking my butt harder than the actual personal trainer is.

Clint or I can't even move today, we're so sore. And I wish I had known they were hard on your back. I picked the elliptical over the treadmill because I can't run long distances due to arthritis in my hip (at the age of 28!), but I've noticed that my low back is really really hurting tonight.

I do think that I'm getting a good workout from it. I only can do about 10-15 minutes right now...I am so out of shape.

 

[eeyore74]

DH has one. He likes it but rarely uses it. I hate it - kills my knees unless I do it backwards.

It does take up a lot of room. Ours in the unfinished basement. I dread moving that thing one day.

 

[LScot]

Mare.

It is more fun to exercise with a friend.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I don't own one, but I used one a few times at the gym. I also find that it's a little hard on my knees too. I tend to over-exercise though. Maybe it just doesn't work well with biking, swimming, and lifting weights.

 

[ZachnElli]

I've had mine for 5 years. I even used it during my pregnancy with dd. I still gained 50lbs during that pregnancy, but my legs still looked great! I was able to get back on it 2 weeks after dd was born and it felt so easy without the baby, lol! I still use it, but there are definitely times that I get lazy and when I start up again, I wonder why I ever stopped. I have not found any problems with my back and I actually have a bad lower back (birth defect). It's a great machine, you just have to use it! Oh, I watch tv while I'm on it too.