Elipitical?

[vegggeeemom]

Anyone have one? I've got a treadmill and i'm downsizing so can't take it with me. :( But want to replace it with something.

Are they worth it and should I just get used or go brand new?

Thanks

[Raw Yogini]

I don't know about a particular brand but IMO ellipticals are definitely worth getting. I prefer them to treadmills. Good luck!

[Bethanie]

Does it give you a better workout?
B.

[Raw Yogini]

Does it give you a better workout?
B.

I feel like I get a better work out on an eliptical. I also feel that it is easier on the joints. I also don't get quite as bored on it.

[Bethanie]

Maybe i'll be blessed to get one so day:D
Thanks for the headsup.
B.

[Revvell]

Get a rebounder!!!! Works the WHOLE body; assists in maintaining balance which we tend to lose as we get older UNLESS we utilize it for more than standing up.

Rebounders have so MANY healing benefits PLUS, many of them fold up out of the way when company comes. Less expensive than ellipticals and need no electricity.

Revvell

[cherries]

Have you read about cheap rebounders and the damage they can do to the lower back? Just thought I'd mention that. I have often wondered if one could get the same lymphatic effect by just swinging on a big swing?

General rule
All serious rebounder trainers, doctors and physiotherapists agree to the fact that you should keep away from cheap rebounder models. Cheap rebounders damage you more than do you well and if you don't want to spend the money for buying a quality rebounder, then better don't rebound at all and go swimming or choose another healthy sport. If you want to learn how to recognize a quality rebounder, please click on the following link:
How to recognize a quality rebounder (http://www.qibounding.com/1747578.htm)

[Revvell]

No one's talking "cheap". If one can afford an elliptical...

Good points although there is a thread here on rebounders.


Have you read about cheap rebounders and the damage they can do to the lower back? Just thought I'd mention that. I have often wondered if one could get the same lymphatic effect by just swinging on a big swing?

General rule
All serious rebounder trainers, doctors and physiotherapists agree to the fact that you should keep away from cheap rebounder models. Cheap rebounders damage you more than do you well and if you don't want to spend the money for buying a quality rebounder, then better don't rebound at all and go swimming or choose another healthy sport. If you want to learn how to recognize a quality rebounder, please click on the following link:
How to recognize a quality rebounder (http://www.qibounding.com/1747578.htm)

[Bodhi]

I use an elipitical machine. Its a Nordictrack. My recommendation is to really try it out before you buy. Elipitical vary greatly.

[Lollipop]

I have a LifeFitness elliptical, and I love it. I've been trying to get into running/jogging, but my knees and ankles just can't seem to handle it, which is disappointing. I've had a lot of joint issues (due to an auto-immune disease), but I've never had any problems when using this elliptical. I tried MANY different models in the stores, and this one suited my body best.

What I like about this particular one is: you can change the stride length (I typically keep it on the longest stride); it comes with a polar heartrate monitor strap; it has a narrower space between the two feet; I can get an amazing workout on it; it has many different programs to choose from (although I typically keep it on heartrate cardio or manual) and the people I bought it from were really helpful (BusyBodies).

However, if you are downsizing, this probably isn't the one for you, since it is quite large. However, mine has been very well used since it was bought!

[OneBite@aTime]

i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE my elliptical, and one of the great things about it-no or little impact! I got mine last winter, and when spring rolled around, I got out on the road and ran 3 miles-no problem...good luck!

[firefaery]

If I were looking to purchase one machine it would be a rowing machine hands down. You will not get a more full body workout, they are relatively compact, easy to use and there is very little that can go wrong with them. That would be my vote. Concept 2 is the company we use.

[domestic goddess]

I LOOOVED my eliptical so much...I wore it out!
Not a fan of rebounding personally, so for me an eliptical = awesome no impact workout. :D

[firefaery]

That's not quite true. The consumer perception of an elliptical is that there is no impact, but in reality the downside of the ellipse is that it causes you to shorten your stride at the point in your gait where you should be accelerating into the downstroke and footplant. Because an elliptical is aided by rollers it forces you to speed up when you should be slowing down, and slow down when you should speed up.

At the point of the down-stride you are being aided and all force gets jammed into your hips. It creates a virtual slingshot of hips, knees and ankles. Your muscles are pushing when they should be pulling and pulling when they should be pushing. That force has to go somewhere and since it is an unnatural motion it goes someplace it shouldn't. You are running on a machine with a controlled ellipse where you should be able to pick up your foot. Since you cannot, your foot doesn't plant into the proper heel to foot sequence. That being the case the force generated has to go somewhere, and it is generally your connective tissue.

If, during the stride, you were to take one foot off a pedal arm you would continue to move in an ellipse. The force generated is far too much to match natural physical movement. The machine CANNOT match your stride let alone the mechanics of walking or running. It is physically impossible. Not even a treadmill can accomplish this.

IN their attempt to simulate natural motion they have done quite the opposite. I highly recommend looking at other options. Again, for my money the rower is actually the only "machine" I would look to for real fitness. "No impact" is an industry catchphrase that means nothing. Besides....you NEED impact for bone density.

[domestic goddess]

Well, I stand corrected.
Rower wouldn't work for me as I have a bad disc in my back and the sitting and, well rowing motion agrivates it.

Regardless of what anyone buys for exercise equiptment, it has to be something you will enjoy and USE otherwise its a waste of money.

There's always walking...that's free! :D

[firefaery]

Well, I stand corrected.
Rower wouldn't work for me as I have a bad disc in my back and the sitting and, well rowing motion agrivates it.

Regardless of what anyone buys for exercise equiptment, it has to be something you will enjoy and USE otherwise its a waste of money.

There's always walking...that's free! :D

I just wanted to make sure you knew that wasn't directed at you. Whenever ANYONE talks about ellipticals that is the belief because Precor (makers of the original elliptical) paid alot of money to make you believe it. It wasn't until exercise physiologists really got their hands on it and realized what a load they were marketing that information came out, and then it wasn't directly informing consumers. There is no perfect machine, that's a fact. I wouldn't have even posted if it weren't for a pp saying it had been uncomfortable for her to use it. Because it's such a pervasive misconception I figured I'd throw it out there.

I wholeheartedly agree though that you should only buy what you are going to use. That said if you don't *know* what you want to buy and the "truth" about the way an elliptical works helps you make that decision one why or another at least you are doing so with more information.

[Lollipop]

I have to agree that it is not a natural movement for running - especially because of the foot position. It seems to me to be more similar to riding a bike....

[Rawkincake]

I love my elliptical and recommend IClimb workouts from ITrain.com to make them a bit more fun and challenging. I have almost all the IClimb workouts and I find I work up a massive sweat when I use them!

[domestic goddess]

Oh, ff...thank you :D
I should have put a smiley after my stand corrected comment :o I knew you were giving info...which *I* know I appreciate! I didn't actually know all that about the eliptical and it is making me think about whether or not to by another. I did like it though...but I don't need to to MORE damage to my crooked self, lol :D

[firefaery]

My husband is 20 years in the exercise field. He knows the ins and outs of pretty much any machine on the market, what the strengths and weaknesses are and physiologically how it relates to functional movement. But this isn't "his" view....this is well known in the exercise field. Really, it's simple biomechanics and many people (some on this thread) who are runners will tell you that an elliptical comes up short and is a very unnatural motion. You can understand it by comparing running to using the elliptical on your own.

We have owned and operated several high end private training studios as well as sold equipment. We stocked them for people who wanted them, but actively dissuaded clients/customers when we could. Enough people complaining about injuries from a machine and trainers start taking notice and wondering why that is. Eventually we did stop carrying them. It wasn't worth it to us, and ethically it is hard to sell something you believe is harmful. When the patent ran out and they started being produced by lower end manufacturers it did start getting far more concerning.

Understand that the people calling the shots are the ones generating the cash. Just as in the pharmaceutical industry where doctors get their "health" information from people looking to market drugs, the fitness industry is run by manufacturers of equipment. In many cases trainers know what they are taught BY people selling machines. Not exactly an unbiased approach. Here's an article that talks about it a bit:
http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/health-fitness/Is_Your_Workout_Wasting_Your_Time.shtml

As most of us have done with nutrition, you need to seek out accurate information....and generally that isn't available in the mainstream literature. ;) Really, it is just common sense. You don't really *need* anything more than your own body to get a good workout.

[firefaery]

given your restrictions that makes sense....and Precor was the original maker of the elliptical and all things considered is a good machine. IF anyone is considering one....it is best to go without movable arms.

It makes sense that a treadmill would be uncomfortable for the same reason....very unnatural movement and pretty high impact (again, in an unnatural way) Never when you are walking is the earth moving towards you at a rapid rate!

That said, functional training would still be a better option. It's rare (In my experience) to get a gym owner who is really up on training....they put most of their energy into the machines because they have to, and then know what the manufacturers are telling. They go to several shows a year to learn the latest and greatest in "technology" when in reality the best technology is back to basics. Most certs are the same way.....very rarely do you get good info. You get what is "common knowledge" that most if not all athletes would find laughable.

However, as a trainer it is important to understand that you always watch the client. Everyone is individual and will need different things. Theories are only theories until they are put into practice and then things can change quite a bit.

[Rinda]

I pretty much hated my elliptical. It was a used ProForm Crosstrainer Elliptical(something like that) in great shape. Now I know why. I used it a few times and the stride was very strange. If other ellipticals have an unnatural stride like the one I had, I'd think the elliptical business would be $0. I'll use my treadmill any day over that thing. I did sell it to someone else who thought they could use it. Glad it's gone!!

However, I've heard of people who just love the elliptical. So, to each his own! You may be one of those who love it. If you decide to purchase one, be certain you give it a very good trial. Don't just get on it for a few seconds and make the purchase. I mean really get going on it and see how it feels. Pay close attention to the stride.

Okay, there's my opinion. :D

[jacsam]

I started going to a gym that has elipticals and I love them. I'll have to find out the brand they have but they are really cool because they run (show you how fast and long you've been going...the panel) by you using the machine...so basically your exercising is generating the power for the machine....I thought it was cool!

[firefaery]

so basically your exercising is generating the power for the machine....I thought it was cool!

your movement starts it, but because it is working on an ellipse the machine then takes over. Aside from being unnatural, it's not an adequate measure of your output. Take your foot off a pedal midstride and see what I mean.