Elliptical Trainers

[TAutry]

Hi All,

We just received an elliptical trainer from my wife's sister. She didn't like it and thought trying to sell it would be a pain.

Does anyone use one of these regularly? What should I know about them?

We've had it for less than a week and I've used it three times. I work up a significant sweat in about 7 minutes and am panting like a dog in 10. It seems easy on the knees and back. I think I'm going to like it.

[Cinnabon]

I do 45 min a day in 2 seperate sessions. If you are not used to exercising everyday, take it slow and work yourself up to what you want. It really is great for the BS w/ caution, of course.

[duck]

The whole selling point of ellipticals is that they are easy on the joints (or easier), at least when compared to running, etc., and require less skill than other wonderous machines like the Nordic Track. Like any repetitive motion, you do risk some repetitive-stress injuries, but the risk is low. I miss working out at my gym...My home gym does not have an eliptical. boo.

[valc3]

I love my elliptical trainer. I do 30-45 minuts every day on it. I find it a lot easier on the joints. I had to work up to that amount of time. I started off with 15 minutes every other day.

[am1977]

:dito:...an eliptical trainer is easier on the joints than other cardio equipment and still can give you a good workout. What kind is it?

[TAutry]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. I've been sidetracked and didn't get back to this thread until tonight.

My wife and I have both been using the elliptical more or less regularly. She is very good with it. I am still getting used to it. I do about 15 minutes 3 times per week. That, along with my other exercises seems to work for me.

Andrea,

The trainer is an Eclipse. It is sold online through Fitness Quest. My sister-in-law bought it through an informercial and, according to her husband, paid way too much. It may not benefit them, but at least it isn't being wasted.

[DeusXM]

As to how much you exert, well, that really depends on what you're doing. I exercise in a strict regime which ensures my heartrate is between 130 and 160 a minute, which is the most efficient range for fat burning for someone of my age. So I usualy end up doing something like 120 steps a minute on my elliptical. It doesn't massively tire me out if I do that for half an hour, just works up a bit of a sweat and the endorphines. I usually do this every other day.

[decimaldancer]

I love the elliptical. I started using it when my knee went bad on the treadmill. At first I could barely do anything. Now I can do about 30 to 45 minutes at least 4 days a week.

Well I did.

I have to have knee surgery anyway, but the elliptical kept me going for an extra 6 months. The knee surgery is for things I did back 30 years ago coming back on me now.

I discovered that when you turn fifty, every stupid thing that you did to your body that you thought was fairly minor when you were young comes back to haunt you again.