Elliptical recommendations?

[jason]

I am in the market for a quality elliptical. Anybody have any recommendations on specific brands or particular models?

 

[SpurHunter]

I have done a lot of research on this the past couple years and determined those machines make you feel good, until you realize the only progress in in your head, not physical health. I busted my butt for months on one at the Y two years ago, "running" up to 10 miles a day. I never lost a pound. Save your money, buy a good fitness program with a few free weights, a pull up bar and you are much better served. Get with team-d if you really want to talk about specifics, he and the wife are personal trainers at all levels.

 

[team-d]

I had a precor about 10 yrs ago, it was a good one, solid, expensive. I can't remember what I paid, but it was we'll over $1000 at Costco way back then. Never had any problems with it other than my ex had to have it, used it fairly regularly for maybe 6 months, then it sat collecting dust for years. I gave it away when I moved from Knoxville.

Ellipticals are better than nothing, if they are used regularly and if they are used right. That said, I don't recommend them to anyone for any health and fitness purpose... They just aren't nearly as affective as other means of getting in shape, losing weight, gaining lean muscle mass, etc. A good program also stresses diet, which is more important than the physical activity.

If you do buy one I would highly recommend finding a used one, you will save a ton of money and probably find one that has barely been used. I wouldn't worry about the heart rate monitor and all the fancy stuff, just a solid machine. I also recommend using it for HIIT (high intensity interval training), where you go as hard as you can on a high setting for short bursts of 45-60 seconds, then slow down on an easier setting for 1-2 minutes and repeat. HIIT for 15 minutes will give you much more benefit than "cruising" at 1 speed for 30 minutes, which is what most people do. I've watched the same people do this regularly at my gym for several years, with little to no results.

Stepping down from my soap box now

 

[VolsFan24]

My .02, get a treadmill instead. Walking with an incline is great for you and also a great way to burn fat. I second the interval training. You can walk 2 minutes at a decent incline, and then jog for 30 seconds with the treadmill flat. Easy program to do that works. And you can modify it in any way so that you are able to do it.

 

[beetlespin]

Ellipticals are designed for people that are too lazy to do real exercise. I used them at the gym for years with no improvements. They are ok for stress relief but won't change you physically.

 

[team-d]

beetlespin - 10/30/2013 10:54 AM

Ellipticals are designed for people that are too lazy to do real exercise. I used them at the gym for years with no improvements. They are ok for stress relief but won't change you physically.

Lol, that's kinda what I was trying to say in a roundabout way.

There are no magic pills, potions, or machines. Good health requires working your butt off... Physically with exercise and mentally at the dinner table

 

[SpurHunter]

beetlespin - 10/30/2013 11:54 AM

Ellipticals are designed for people that are too lazy to do real exercise. I used them at the gym for years with no improvements. They are ok for stress relief but won't change you physically.

Pretty much sums up why I was using one.

 

[Hook1]

I have one at home and use it. Its good for one thing and thats that there is zero impact on the knees and feet. I feel like otherwise its not doing me much good. I get a good sweat and heart rate goes up but after 30 minutes my heart rate is back down and I dont feel like Im working.