Elliptical machines?

[C.Ann]

DD and her DH went and purchased a really nice elliptical machine last night that they found on Craigslist for a steal.. It was an elderly couple - who live less than 5 miles away - and both had used it for theraputic reasons after surgeries..

Interesting contraption! LOL.. Other than helping with weight loss though, what else is this machine useful for? I tried it out for a bit - could feel a definite "pull" on my legs and arms - and was wondering if it would help to regain my strength in them WITHOUT losing weight (that's the last thing in the world that I need )..

It's really a neat machine.. I like the "smooth" action and somehow it doesn't seem quite as boring as my old exercise bike..LOL

 

[MissMet]

DD and her DH went and purchased a really nice elliptical machine last night that they found on Craigslist for a steal.. It was an elderly couple - who live less than 5 miles away - and both had used it for theraputic reasons after surgeries..

Interesting contraption! LOL.. Other than helping with weight loss though, what else is this machine useful for? I tried it out for a bit - could feel a definite "pull" on my legs and arms - and was wondering if it would help to regain my strength in them WITHOUT losing weight (that's the last thing in the world that I need )..

It's really a neat machine.. I like the "smooth" action and somehow it doesn't seem quite as boring as my old exercise bike..LOL

IMO:

cardio = weight loss, minimal strengthening

weights = strength, not a lot of weight loss

So if the eliptical has a resistance setting, I would put the elliptical at a much higher resistance setting & "walk", not run on it. If that makes sense.

 

[HunnyPots]

I also just got an elliptical on Craigslist for a steal! I love it. I get a much better workout than I did when I was walking everyday, in about half the amount of time and with much less impact. I have problems with achilles tendonitis and all the walking on pavement was just making it worse. Much better with the machine.

I'm not using it to lose weight but I can see the potential. According to the readout, I usually burn about 175 calories in a 25 minute workout so you would need to make sure you added enough extra calories to offset what you burn. You know, the opposite of what most people want to do!

 

[Hercules10]

Other than helping with weight loss though, what else is this machine useful for?

A clothes rack....

 

[C.Ann]

A clothes rack....

 

[ladycollector]

Your best bet is to get a set of dumbells in a few diffrent weights (maybe 3,5, and 8 lb) and do some different exercises with them. You will build muscle more than anything

 

[C.Ann]

Your best bet is to get a set of dumbells in a few diffrent weights (maybe 3,5, and 8 lb) and do some different exercises with them. You will build muscle more than anything

I already do that.. Started off with canned food - believe it or not - because my hands were so weak - and now I'm using 3lb. weights.. But that doesn't help with my legs.. Walking isn't an option in the winter (or the summer when the humidity is high), so I thought I might be able to benefit from this new fangled contraption.. LOL..

Darn!! I don't get to play with the new "toy".... Not fair!!!

 

[redlight]

Just try to take in more calories and you wouldn't lose weight with strength training, and you will gain muscle.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

My elliptical is just about the only cardio I can do nowadays that doesn't leave me limping. (I have runner's knee thanks to wide hips, a college jogging path that was asphalt and concrete, and the stupidity of youth.) I have a life fitness - the same model as the ones at the Disney resort exercise rooms.