The elliptical machine: forged by Lucifer himself

[Jennasis]

So today was my first day at the gym. I finally joined the local 24 hour place and have been pretty excited about going...like the first day of school! So I did pretty good. Ran 2 miles on the treadmill (on 4.5 speed) and did some upper body/arm stuff on one of the Nautilus machine that I really didn't "get". Tomorrow I plan to have the owner go through ALL the machines with me and show me how they work and which ones I need to use for what results (and to avoid aggravating my bad back).

Well by the time I wrapped up my run and the arm thingy, the gym was pretty empty. Just the p/t guy vacuuming. So I decide to try the elliptical machine for the first time ever.



Who exactly invented this confounded piece of medieval torture? I lasted exactly 5 minutes on this gyrating, awkward MANGLER before my hips about gave out. Now, hours later and after ALLLLllll the other things I did in the gym, the only thing that hurts are the outsides of my hips from the stupid elliptical.

Seriously...stupid machine.

 

[mickilee]

no pain no gain. remember..

 

[Mermaid02]

So today was my first day at the gym. I finally joined the local 24 hour place and have been pretty excited about going...like the first day of school! So I did pretty good. Ran 2 miles on the treadmill (on 4.5 speed) and did some upper body/arm stuff on one of the Nautilus machine that I really didn't "get". Tomorrow I plan to have the owner go through ALL the machines with me and show me how they work and which ones I need to use for what results (and to avoid aggravating my bad back).

Well by the time I wrapped up my run and the arm thingy, the gym was pretty empty. Just the p/t guy vacuuming. So I decide to try the elliptical machine for the first time ever.



Who exactly invented this confounded piece of medieval torture? I lasted exactly 5 minutes on this gyrating, awkward MANGLER before my hips about gave out. Now, hours later and after ALLLLllll the other things I did in the gym, the only thing that hurts are the outsides of my hips from the stupid elliptical.

Seriously...stupid machine.

don't give up on the elliptical! I have one and it's a FABULOUS piece of equipment! I need to start it again- haven't been on it seriously since my surgery!

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

The elliptical machine: forged by Lucifer himself

I totally agree!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I love the elliptical--I did 92 minutes today, 6.86 miles.

When I first started at the end of December I could barely last 15 minutes, and forget about doing the arms and legs. If you can stick it out for a couple of weeks it's a really good workout. I was stressed about something this morning, and by the time I was done, I was so tired, I couldn't even remember what I was stressed about.

 

[elgerber]

LOL, when we bought one I thought I would die in 5 minutes. Really, you need to give it another chance. You have to work up to it, unlike the treadmill, but they are great once you do!

 

[krcit]

I would much rather be on the elliptical then the treadmill. The treadmill bores me but for some reason not the elliptical. I couldn't do 90 minutes on it though I can do about 20 and then I take a class.

 

[Tigger2252]

I really HATE the elliptical, but I do force myself to use it. I had to really build myself up for it though. For me it is a harder workout than the treadmill because I tend to go much faster on that than when I jog on the treadmill. I gradually worked myself up to a half hour, and that usually adds up to 4 or 5 miles. That is really my limit though because my feet really start to burn. I don't know why, but they do. I alternate between the elliptical and the treadmill. Too many days in a row on the treadmill and my shins start bothering me. My poor old body isn't as sturdy as it used to be.

 

[java]

Yes it's a build up kind of thing. And if you take a break- you have to do the slow ramp up again.
I got back on mine this morning doing Cardio-lasted 15 minutes. Tomorrow I'll try for 20 if I am not pulled down into hell before then.

 

[LaraK]

I have one of those! It's great for drying laundry!

 

[SamRoc]

I love the elliptical! I go to the gym 3 times a week and do about 45 minutes. The first time i stepped on one i could do all of 3 minutes!!

 

[4forMe]

I LOVE the elliptical! I had to give up running and jogging 5 years ago. I burn way more calories by doing 5 miles on the elliptical rather than walking those same 5 miles on the treadmill.

DH, however, would agree with the OP. He loves his treadmill.

 

[cepmom]

yeah, as the others have said, you have to build up to it. I bought an elliptical last year when I was having problems with plantar fascitis..had to give up on the treadmill. After some time, though, I started having knee problems. Went to PT and was told that this type of knee problem is very common from the elliptical. It was recommended I not use it anymore . Now I'm back to the treadmill which is boring and in the dingy basement, but I have noticed a much more toned lower half than what I got using the elliptical so I guess it's a good trade off!

 

[JCJRSmith]

no pain no gain. remember..

I am firm believer in "No pain, no pain" myself.

 

[ZachnElli]

The ellipitical is not for the timid that's for sure! And contrary to what someone else just posted, I see much better results in the lower half than the treadmill. I've lost 19 lbs (and I still eat pizza!) since Jan. 3 and the ellipitcal is my main exercise, I've worked up to 48 minutes on it from 18 minutes and I wanted to die after the first 18 minutes!! LOL!

 

[All American]

I have really liked the elliptical machines in the past, but for some reason, the sides of my feet would go numb. So, I just run nowadays. In fact, I finished the Couch to 5K program last week. Hang in there with the workout. I heard on The Biggest Loser that you have to become accustomed to the pain, and think how fun shopping will be (made that my goal--to make shopping fun again) after several workouts.

 

[Darsa]

Oh my, just the title of this post had me

When I first started, I ***HATED*** the elliptical machine. I would log maybe 5 minutes on level 1, once in a while. It didn't help that my husband felt the need to go out and buy one for the house, so I'd have to look at it ALL THE TIME. But at this point, it's been oh, about a year or so, it's the only thing I really like to do at the gym! I feel strong and healthy when I get a good solid half-hour workout on it at level 10 on my lunchbreaks, which usually gets me about a mile, and burns around 350 or so calories. And I'm better at it than my husband now

It gets better, I promise!!

ETA: Oh, and I noticed a PP mentioned feet going numb. When I'm on it, a couple of my TOES go numb! It's the strangest feeling, dunno why, but it doesn't really affect my performance (I think)

 

[cristit14]

I prefer the elliptical to the treadmill, but you do have to work up to it. When I first started going back to the gym I was exhausted after 5 minutes. Now I still only do about 20-30 minutes, but I get bored easily. Then I go and do about an hour of weight training, I like that much better than aerobics. I

I have problems with my toes getting numb sometimes too. Make sure your laces aren't too tight on your shoes and that helps. Also, when it happens to me I stop and go backwards for a couple of minutes and then they aren't numb anymore

 

[kbheap]

I just joined one of those 24 hour places this week as well. The only thing I have been working on so far is the elliptical. I love it. I can do it for a lot longer than the treadmill. The first workout I could only manage 20 minutes plus a cooldown. The second workout I did 30 plus a cooldown. The next 40. Hopefully I will keep going up. I am totally motivated to do it though. My sister started using an elliptical in January 2 days a week only. She now goes for 90 minutes and she has lost 25 lbs since JANUARY!! We started the same size so now I have to lose the weight. Talk about Peer Pressure!

 

[DisneyLover83]

Some of my toe's go numb on the elliptical also.... glad to know it's not just me