What are your thoughts on the elliptical?

Jill_B

I fly.

posted: 9/21/2007 at 12:10 PM

I've gotten too big to run (I'm almost 8 months pregnant), so I've been using the elliptical. I'm curious as to what runners think about it. I think it's like riding a bike only standing up and I don't feel like it works me that hard (but these days I guess that's okay). Thanks!

Bring it on.

Peke98

posted: 9/21/2007 at 12:19 PM

If you can't run it's not a bad alternative. My brother's hip won't stand up to running but, does just fine on an elliptical. He works out pretty hard too. He does a regimen of weight lifting & elliptical for the cardio. If I had before & after pictures you'd be sold.

Take your protein pill and put your helmet on.

Bonkin

posted: 9/21/2007 at 12:20 PM

I personally hate it. Maybe it would be better if I listened to music or watched TV - but I can only take it for 5-10 minutes. It is supposed to be a very good cardio workout - almost as good as running even - with less impact. I get the same feeling as you - like running on a bike.

Passion is a rather frightening thing because if you have passion you don't know where it will take you.

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DrewEOB

Idiot

posted: 9/21/2007 at 12:37 PM

I don't like them either, but if you ratchet up the resistance on one of those dudes it can cause some pain and be worth a little something. Some people do love them, though.

Yes, I do "run in this." So should you. The weather is never as bad as it seems from behind your office or car window.

joe_h

The voice of mile 18

posted: 9/21/2007 at 12:52 PM

it is good source of endurance if you can't go out and run but is not a good substitute for running (IMHO cycling is good for endurance and running)

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db7

posted: 9/21/2007 at 5:55 PM

A friend of mine works out on an eliptical because of the late sunrise. He has to be at work early. When we run together, he has no problem with pace or mileage. We are training for a half right now. I think it has worked well for him as an alternative. DB

Tougher than most, dumber than the rest. "You can not count the miles until you feel them" TVZ

PowerOfQ

Think Whirled Peas

posted: 9/21/2007 at 9:47 PM

I started out on one, and for the first coupla weeks I abso-freakin-lutely HATED the damned thing. I couldn't find a pace or movement/rythm that allowed me to work w/out feeling like I was dancing in a blender. But I stuck w/it and eventually it got easier to do, and then I was able to push myself to where I was working hard every time on it. I actually switched to running only because I felt like I needed a new challenge. I will openly admit that I love running, but it still hurts sometimes. When I work out on the elliptical, I never hurt. Yes, my lungs burn and so do the quads, but I don't get the aches and pains that running dishes out. Of course, with all that said...GOOD LUCK w/the baby!!!! Mike is a GREAT name, btw Big grin

Just because running is simple does not mean it is easy.

Chenille

posted: 9/23/2007 at 6:54 PM

I've spent a lot of time cross training on the elliptical. I generally do an hour w/o. I include sprints, crossramp at different heights, and hard intervals ( 30 sec with 30 sec recovery over 10 - 12 min). I think you can get a decent w/o if you add a little variety. Not exactly the right kind of w/o for you right now. That said, I don't think just elliptical is enough to maintain running fitness if that's all you are doing - it just doesn't work the muscles the same way/ through the same range of motion. Good luck with the baby!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)

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Trent

posted: 9/23/2007 at 7:06 PM

Quote from Jill_B on 9/21/2007 at 12:10 PM:

I've gotten too big to run

Betsy S ran the day she delivered. 7 miles in PWP. Wink

Good luck and please let me know if you need my services in one month and 8 days...

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Poor baby

Jill_B

I fly.

posted: 9/24/2007 at 11:05 AM

Betsy is a show off! (Actually, I'm terribly jealous of her!) And FYI - I will be having another boy so if you feel like taking a road trip...

Bring it on.

Marathon Peach

Cause I CAN

posted: 12/29/2007 at 4:30 PM

Quote from Bonkin on 9/21/2007 at 12:20 PM:

I personally hate it. Maybe it would be better if I listened to music or watched TV - but I can only take it for 5-10 minutes. It is supposed to be a very good cardio workout - almost as good as running even - with less impact. I get the same feeling as you - like running on a bike.

I hate it too, even with music but it was really a good workout and easier on joints.

Liver Transplant - July 2, 1991
http://terri7291.blogspot.com/

trimom

posted: 1/3/2008 at 1:03 AM

It's not my favorite, but sometimes it is my only choice for cross-training. It was hard to get in a rhythm at first, but I eventually got it. You have to start with a low resistance and work up. I like the hill program because it makes it challenging and more interesting. Throw in my music and whatever they have on TV, and I really don't get bored. You can get a really good workout if you ramp up the resistance over time. Kelli

yogalete

posted: 1/5/2008 at 10:36 PM
modified: 1/5/2008 at 10:36 PM

this article is pretty good: http://clinesrunningcorner.com/richardneilltrains_07.pdf

Rundadrun27

posted: 1/9/2008 at 9:08 PM

I like it for a low intensity workout. I actually prefer the elliptical over a Stationary Bike as I find that after a workout on a bike, my tailbone is sore.

rururunner

posted: 1/9/2008 at 9:49 PM

Sometimes that's all there is available. I don't want to join a gym when there's running outside Smile

and there's a small workout room in my condo building for those days when outside isn't a reasonable option. Unfortunately, 'tis the season for New Year's Resolutions and unfortunately everyone is using MY treadmill. Wink

When I started my "fitness journey" I tried the elliptical and once I got the hang of it I jumped off to the treadmill "just to try" and eventually got outside running where I was hooked. Ellipticals are great for cross-training, they can definitely pack a punch on some of the interval workouts and are fantastic when you are sidelined due to injury. I had a stress fracture in 2006 and it helped me keep my fitness level over the 6 week healing time.

Suffering Benefiting from mature onset exercise addiction and low aerobic endorphin release threshold. Hoping there is no cure.

What are your thoughts on the elliptical? (Read 3501 times)