Gym queens: is the elliptical useless?

It was useless for me. I lose weight just using a treadmill and walking. The trick is to walk on an incline. You really burn calories that way. I was able to walk at a 15 incline, though I needed to hold on for dear life!

warm up on an exercise bike before starting to run to protect your knee, and gradually increase your speed. stop if it starts to hurt. Treadmills are cushioned so much better for your joints than running.

I feel like an r1, but isn’t cardio almost useless for losing weight?

Good for you for making the effort, OP! Try each for a week, maybe? My partner prefers elliptical, but I'd rather treadmill, but I'm also fidgeting with my phone sometimes while on the treadmill, and that's too challenging (for me) on the elliptical.

Good luck!

R3 radio in conjunction with diet will drop the pounds. You have to do both to lose the weight.

Abs are made in the kitchen

Ellipticals are not useless at all. What a strange question. Especially if you have joint problems, they are a good option because there’s no impact.

Just think of it as a standing exercise bike with additional calorie burning because of arm motion.

And don’t be one of the silly people who don’t adjust the tension on the machine and end up looking like Olive Oyl. Increased resistance = increased calorie burning and some level of muscle toning and building. No resistance will make you look goofy and will burn few calories.

If you are overweight or older or have poor muscle development to support your joints, then running on a treadmill, using a stair-climber or running outside and climbing stairs certainly will burn calories but could damage your joints over time. And once your joints are damaged, your running days are limited.

Yep, all about the resistance. You can get a great, varied workout on an elliptical. Really keeps my arms and chest toned when done properly.

Use a stair climber you fat whore!!!!!

I prefer elliptical as it's much gentler on my arthritic knees. ALthough I felt in need to spend maybe double the time than in treadmill.

[quote] And don’t be one of the silly people who don’t adjust the tension on the machine and end up looking like Olive Oyl. Increased resistance = increased calorie burning and some level of muscle toning and building. No resistance will make you look goofy and will burn few calories.

Excellent advice, R7. I just don't use the elliptical, because my feet press again the front of the foot pedal which causes aches.

As someone else wrote, warm up on a stationary bike, then use the treadmill. Start slowly...think in weeks, rather than days. Do cardio, plus change your diet: cut down or eliminate soda and alcohol consumption. No sugary or processed foods. Plenty of green, leafy veggies, protein in chicken and fish.

I use the stair master at the gym in addition to running. My gym also has a pool. Swimming is the best for low impact on joints. And great cardio.

I like the elliptical. I miss the elliptical. 5K in <30mins is a good goal.

[qoute] Excellent advice, [R7]. I just don't use the elliptical, because my feet press again the front of the foot pedal which causes aches.

R11, increasing the incline will relieve the pressure against your toes.

Doing the arm movements burns very few calories and can inflame shoulder and upper back issues. You're better off using weights or bodyweight-dependent exercises to strengthen arms.

I should have added ... I lift regularly (free weights and machines) and have pretty good upper and lower body strength.

Elliptical is useless the way most people use it

It's easy to put it on a low setting and glide for 20 minutes and barely get your heart rate up.

But at a higher resistance it should get your heart rate up.

If you're breaking a sweat OP, you're probably doing something right

Lost tons of weight on the elliptical. You have to up the incline and increase the resistance, though. Do some HIIT with it too, with short bursts to really get your heart rate up.

You can’t just leave it at a baseline like most frauen just lazily galloping along watching TV.

It also depends on the type. I prefer precor brand because they allow for a good incline. The ones that are more horizontal-based with bigger feet doesn’t really allow for going in fast bursts and have a more awkward rhythm.

I also NEVER use the arms as I find them more of a hindrance in pace setting.

Treadmills and running would give me horrible shin splints so I live by the elliptical.

If you want to do the treadmill for running, start following a C25k program ("couch to 5k") to gradually run longer. It helps you increase stamina in a natural way

I am very much a fan of the elliptical. About 5 years ago, I was experiencing health issues related to obesity. I changed my diet and bought an elliptical, a good one. Like others have said, upping both resistance and incline greatly enhance the effectiveness. As for knee issues, I wear good-quality knee supports when using the elliptical, and have had no problems in 5 years. End result, at age 62, I'm the healthiest I've ever been, and my weight went from a high of 260 lbs to my current weight of 125 lbs. One thing to know, a good elliptical will cost you pretty big $. Precor AMT, Cybex ARC trainer, that sort of thing are the best, but they are very expensive.

OP you said you have pretty good upper and lower body strength. Are you fit-fat? If so, don't change.

Lol r19

Are you a woman R18 or not very tall?

I weighed 125 when I was a scrawny middle schooler.

Elliptical is fine for cardio if you actually do it at a challenging level with regularity.

This is oversimplified but generally I think it helps to think of fitness this simple way. Cardio determines how strong your heart is and very little else. Weight lifting determines how strong your muscles are. Diet determines overall weight and body fat. You can be fit with a strong heart and muscles and still be fat, or slim with a weak heart.

Thanks, R13! From R11.

R21, I am a man, 5'10, but very slight. I didn't know I was so small boned until I lost the weight. My legs and arms are very small circumference sticks. But I will admit that I'm on the light end of acceptable weight for my height. It's just where my body has settled; I've been this weight very consistently for more than three years now.

People don't lose weight through exercise. They lose weight by eating less.

If your gym has an AMT machine, try that. It's like an elliptical on steroids. Gives you a much better workout and still protects your joints.

Agree with R18/R24/626. I'm in my 40's and 5'10 - I went from 180 to 130 doing a combo of elliptical and weights. It took about 3 months. My favourite hands down is the Precor AMT. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter though - just pick which ever one you like, feels good on your body and is something you can enjoy for 30-60 minutes at a go. Start gradually and increase the resistance/incline and you'll be fine. Good luck OP and congratulations on making the commitment for yourself.

[quote] Excellent advice, [R7]. I just don't use the elliptical, because my feet press again the front of the foot pedal which causes aches.

You need better shoes. Your foot should press against the front of pedal but it should not be uncomfortable.

Thank you everyone! I started this morning ... did 30 minutes and increased resistance as I went along. Worked up a good sweat and my heart rate went up considerably. I also did half of it in reverse, although I don't know if that makes any difference.