Elliptical Trainer For Cardio- Good?? Or Bad??

[Texas Ranger]

Guys, I went to a sporting goods store today to check out some cardio equipment for the house. Originally, I had my mind set on a Treadmill, but that quickly changed when the quality Treadmills went for $600 on up. I did see a bad ass Elliptical/Stepper made by Stamina for $249. I'm a treadmill guy, but the more & more I used it, the more actually I liked it. There was hardly any impact on my joints. That's a blessing for a guy with a repaired ACL. You could even convert it to a Stepper, too. I thought that was pretty cool, myself. So, what's your opinion of Ellipticals???

 

[Texas Ranger]

Up for some opinions....

 

[Griz1]

Texas,

I HATE treadmills. Don't ask me why. Although not the reason I hate them, I have two, yes TWO bad knees. However, I am able to use the eliptical ALOT without seeming to further damage, or inflame my piss-poor knees.

I find calorie-wise I'm burning about 550-600 cals. in 30 min. on an eliptical (according to the idiot-gauge). I know it does work the upper body a bit too (if you get the ones where the arm units move like a X-country skier) because when I'm on one after weight day on arms I can really feel my arms moving those bars (so I rest them in front of me).

I did the stairmaster years ago and that agravated both my knees and my lower back. NEVER get me on one of those again.

I have nothing but good things to say about the elipticals. My only advice. GET A HIGH QUALITY MACHINE!!

These are the one's I use:
http://www.treadmillscentral.com/pages/lifefitness/ct9500hr_ng.aspx#

 

[mordy]

I love the eliptical machines. So much energy used with no join impact. A definite plus for people who are starting working out from a long period of sedentary activity.

I like the lifefitness machines in my 24 Hr. They probably cost a good $ or two tho.

 

[lucidblue]

I like the Life Fitness Eliptical too. I'd never go back to using the treadmill.

 

[gymtime]

I love the eliptical machines. So much energy used with no join impact. A definite plus for people who are starting working out from a long period of sedentary activity.

I like the lifefitness machines in my 24 Hr. They probably cost a good $ or two tho.

Agreed.

But I think it's great for vets as well, especially those of us well over 30.

Cardio is mainly about getting your heart rate up for extended periods. How you do that, from the standpoint of burning calories, doesn't make a whole lot of difference. So why not do it with the least wear and tear on the old bod?

I think they're great. They're the one machine I would ever have in my home.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Anyone one else like elliptical trainers??

 

[ffknight84]

i love them, 2nd only to running outdoors. make sure you get a good one thats durable and will last long time. better to pay once then 2 or 3 times.

 

[thumpcbd]

Ellipicticals rock! Just be carefull about your hand placement. If you use the handrest too much your transfering some of your weight to your hands onto the machine insted of down your legs, so you won't get the full benifit of the workout.

You can also read the paper on one which helps the time go by faster.

thumpcbd

 

[Generic MALE]

i love elipiticals. I use to run ALOT when I competed years ago - but then I was 150 LBS and now I am 210. Its much harder on your joints. I was using the stairmaster and that was okay, but it hurt my hips and etc a little bit. The elliptical feels grreat, virtually no joint stress.

 

[faller]

I also love elipiticals. I'm the king of "swing your arm and snag the safety key" of treadmills. Easy on joints, enjoyable, safer than treadmill.

 

[Griz1]

faller,

That's funny. I keep bending over sidways while I'm moving to scratch my leg and getting whacked in the head by one of the hand levers (going 85 rpms of course...ouch!!). I know it amuses who ever sees it. Hell I'd laugh at me.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Guys, I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about buying this Elliptical by Fitness Quest. Take a look... http://fitnessquest.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=fq/link?src=FQ1109

 

[FatRat]

I always use one over a treadmill for higher intensity work to avoid the high impact on my shins and knees. I really like them actually.

 

[MrMuscle]

i swear by them.
you wont catching me doing cardio on anything else.
its great since it puts no stress on any joints, and its movment makes your lowerback work somewhat as well. so its great for people just getting back to training because of injuries and such.

i use it all the time on my clients, i just wish we had more at my gym.

 

[FatRat]

Plus you can reverse the motion on most machines which works the muscles differently, something that most treadmills dont do.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Thanks for all your input, fellas! I'm going to get the one that costs $350. I'm such a cheap bastard. The $600 is still an awesome deal, too.

 

[HodgeMN]

Nordic track also makes a decent line of ellipticals. Try before you buy if you can. Many times you are stuck with large shipping costs if you try to return something. Nordic track has some outlet stores and I think they sell them at some Sears locations. Different ellipticals have different feels.

 

[Serea]

Wish I had gotten an elliptical instead of a treadmill.

 

[mrzap]

faller,

That's funny. I keep bending over sidways while I'm moving to scratch my leg and getting whacked in the head by one of the hand levers (going 85 rpms of course...ouch!!). I know it amuses who ever sees it. Hell I'd laugh at me.

Haha I came close to doing that once. Now I just figure the itch will go away on its own

 

[ProteinFiend]

i think theyre good too.... swimming is good too, as far as low impact... and free (at a gym).