Elliptical Workouts. Anyone else?

[kitten40ish]

I just bought myself an Elliptical machine instead of a treadmill for the winter, last week. As I begin to use it, I realize that boy am I out of shape. I don't think I have used my thigh muscles in ages. Not even walking makes my thighs ache like this!!! So my first question to you that have been doing this a while. How long did it take you to get to where you could do it for more than a few minutes at a time? I have to laugh because it comes with a warm up program and I haven't gotten through that yet! So, I decided to go as long as i can for now rest and then go again...and I do this as many times in an hour as I can.
Any advice out there or encouragement would be nice to hear. I would love to hear from all you and your stories, suggestions and experiences with your elliptical machines.

[fatchickcatering]

hi....I love ellipticals. They are great for those of us who need a lower impact workout. But, even with it being low impact, it provides great results. I am up to 45 minutes on it now, and when I first started, I would do 20 on low resistance. I started by doing manual entry so that I chose when the resistance would go up and down. Also, put on some good music, actually swing your legs to the beat, and then you dont notice how hard it is, you kinda get into the groove more.When you find your legs burning a little, put more emphasis on pushing with your arms, this kinda helps me! Good luck

[kitten40ish]

I only wish I could do 20 minutes at a time...just barely doing 5 minutes at a time on the lowest resistance. So I will continue adding a little longer time. I guess im just anxious to be abel to stay on longer. It's good to hear that you are up to 45 min. How often do you use the elliptical a week. Do you feel like your legs have bulked up or toned up? I only wish to tone up. I don't need to keep thunder thighs!!! LoL.

[fatchickcatering]

I do the elliptical about 3 days a week and then 2 or 3 days a week I do the stair master of walk/jog. Dont worry about bulking up. Women always worry about that, the only way you will bulk up , is if you are taking steroids or something. The elliptical is also great for your rear end. It really lifts it.

[BlueBetty]

can you try it with NO resistance. When I first started I found that challenging enough. maybe your machien doesn't allow that. I do the one at the gym 5 days a week but keep at it. I love elliptical. I usually try to do 1 1/2 miles in 30 min the cool down with the same distance and time on the bike on a #6 resistance before working on my arms and tummy. You's think I'd resemble skinny by now..LOL. hang in there and kudos to you..

[kitten40ish]

Thanks gusy for the reply. I belive I'm on 1. So I'm as low as I can go! Today I did three times at 5 minutes each with in 30 min. It's getting a little easier every time. I do the elliptical everyday and on saturdays I go for a long walk with my hubby and dog. Sunday, I rest!!
Hubby has a bowflex, so I will be adding that to my work out once I master the elliptical. I've heard you shouldn't do any more than 30 minutes at a time. Are you suppose to do more distance in less time? Any one else have any information on using this equipment give me a line or two.

[sportstergirl]

i used to use mine all the time. now not so much as i have found a great wii workout and also have fit tv which i dvr everyday and if it is a good one, i do that if not, i will look on the tv guide to see if something good is on tv and do my elliptical while i watch. i always do it for an hour on tuesdays while i watch biggest loser. at first it was hard but now it is much better. you work up a sweat for sure. i do the pre programmed hill climbing ones and at the lowest levels i will go backwards. i dont know if yours does that or not but it gets different muscles i do know that!
good luck. i like using mine. the best $75 i spent in my life! got it on craigs list!!!
kattttt

[kitten40ish]

This week has been good. Today I did 10 min at a time twice in 30 min. Feels good to be able to work out longer. I believe that doing the excersice in the morning has been better. I stand all day so by the time I get home in the evenings my legs are tired and that is why I can't seem to go as long. So I'm hear to say that I feel incouraged and hopefull that I will get to where I need to be like you all.

[Norwego]

I love the elliptical. Have you tried going backwards yet? You can really feel it in your glutes!

[ellepei]

What kind pf elliptical do you have? At my gym there's a stairmaster elliptical and it works wonders for my legs. But if it's one with the arm things, then I feel your pain! I suggest watching a show while you are working out. If you don't have a tv, you could use an ipod, I have a few downloaded shows I watch. Also, reading. There is nothing to make the time pass faster. Also hiding the time you're working out. I am about as anti running as they get, but I've found that if I don't focus on how long I go I go further. The last thing I would suggest is increasing by a little bit of time every day. It will seem like only a little bit tacked on every time and you can use your willpower to get through it. Believe in yourself!!!

[yourenotinterested]

Just wanted to throw in that it's important that you stretch prior to your work out. You will get more range of motion less pain which equals better results.

Before your work out spend 10 minutes stretching those legs, then jump on the elliptical, you should see better results! Good Luck!!

[EmmieMae]

Which would you recommend on the elliptical? Going slowly on a hill/cross country program, or going faster on a moderate resistance manual or interval program? For me its all about maximizing the number of calories that I burn...I'm in decent shape and I've got enough muscle (too much elliptical combined with treadmill gave me thunder thighs.. ), so it's all about calories!

[Gir]

Hello.

I went to the gym the other night and tried the elliptical machine for the first time. I only lasted about two minutes before getting a huge cramp in my left thigh. I tried again last night and could only do about a minute before both my thighs burned out on me. And today my thighs have been incredibly sore, I can barely make it up the stairs haha. This has really taken me by surprise because I've seen friends jump on it and go for 30 min or so and never have experienced this much soreness. They don't understand why I'm having a hard time with it. They said they never get sore. I had mine on manual setting and it was set to "1" which is the lowest setting, I think. I'm just freaked out by this because I don't consider myself to be that out-of-shape to where I can't even handle it on "1" and for only a couple of minutes. Am I doing something wrong?

My friend who does the elliptical has tiny, puny legs. She really doesn't have much muscle in her thighs and she can go 30 min on that thing! What is my problem???

Please help.

[DecafJane]

I love mine! I use it in front of the television, and have used it so much for a couple of years that we picked up a decent exercise bike a few months ago, so now I alternate as they both use different muscles.

I find that the best thing with the elliptical is to build it up over time, as others have suggested. It took me about a month to build up from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. Any longer and my feet get uncomfortable, but I think that 40 minutes is enough on the one machine anyway.

Have you tried adding a little resistance so that it isn't swinging wildly? Sometimes a little resistance is easier than none at all.

[Caducus]

I go to the gym to use the equipment maybe twice a week. (more if I'm bored) I try the eliptical too...MAN! 10 mins and I'm sweating...but since it's a military base gym there's big muscle-y guys and teeny-tiny little girls staring at me...makes me feel kind of dumb and weak to get off at 10 mins. So I just KEEP PUSHING! After about 10 mins my right foot gets really cold and tingles like it fell asleep...weird and painful!
I make sure I have a good CD with techno music, or something I would dance to, and just tune out the pain.
I think it's so difficult because you're moving your arms too...so it's more like running, and its really your WHOLE body! Even your back!
I try and do 20 mins, then hop on an eliptical bike (or whatever they're called!? I dunno...you sit down and the wheels are at an angle IN FRONT of you...nice and comfy! Doesnt hurt your butt!) for 30 mins, then hop back on the Eliptical stepper/runner for another 20 mins...or whatever I can handle.
Then I usually go home and so some ab work-outs on my body ball...

Make sure to drink two glasses of water BEFORE you work out to keep yourself hydrated...and be sure to eat a protine bar or something after you work out! It helps build muscle. South Beach makes some protine bars...Cranberry Almond, Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Peanut Butter...6 in a pack for about $2 or so. Havent tried them yet...but I HAVE them! So next time I work out I'm gunna eat one ...just as long as I dont get roped into Pi-Yo again *grumble*