I just invested in an elliptical machine. I was very excited! But I got on the thing and after only 12 minutes (disappointed) my quads were killing me and I had to stop. Anyone else experience this? What is your advice concerning working up to more time. 12 minutes is not enough so I walk an hour too.

I just invested in an elliptical machine. I was very excited! But I got on the thing and after only 12 minutes (disappointed) my quads were killing me and I had to stop. Anyone else experience this? What is your advice concerning working up to more time. 12 minutes is not enough so I walk an hour too.

Oh no. I am looking into the very same thing, ellliptical exerciser. I can't really get outside too much and the gym is difficult also with a 22 month old. Please let me know if this gets better for you!

Are you stretching before and after you get on? You should stretch at least the quad and calf muscle. I am a big guy and I can not reach behind me to grab my ankle to stretch that way. Using my PT knowledge I modified it. I face away from the stairs. I place my foot behind me on the third stair, depending on your height you may need the 2 or 3rd. I then start to try and sit on that foot, until I feel a stretch in the quad. I hold onto the stair rail for balance. I have yet to actually sit on my foot. I would recommend a hamstring stretch too. Also are you properly hydrated, that can lead to cramps. Ellipticals are great machines, a great cardio exercise with out a lot of stress on the joints. I recommend them to most of my arthritic and back patients.

I had a hard time with the machine before I had the surgery. I was only able to do it for a few minutes my first tme and I had to build myself up everytime I got on, pushing myself another minute everytime.It started with a song I had to stay on for the lengh of one song and then workmy way up to two and so on. Now its a 30 minute tv show. I have to have some stimulation. music or tv. Good Luck.

Each person has their own way of thinking of what exercise they enjoy, we had an eliptical and sold it, now I am preparing for ZUMBA classes, Tomorrrow is my 1st visit to the surgeons and need to know how much I can lose before going below the required BMI for surgery. I rather dance than do the machines- but enjoy and set up a routine. music and maybe a book?

Yesterday I worked through the pain of sore quads and after 15 minutes they pain let up. I was able to do 45 minutes very slowly. I will try again today but my husband recommends resting today. We'll see how it goes.

This is what my trainer has put into my training effect.

Time

Endurance

Pace

Are the three factors, you should set a goal for where you want to be so for instance this is my treadmill plan

Goal Time 60 min

Goal Endurance 3.5 incline

Pace 6.0 mph

Current Settings

Time 30 min

Endurance 2.1 incline

Pace 2.5 miles

So every workout change ONE portion of your plan, and only increase it by 2. So tomorrow I will do

Time 30 min

Endurance 2.3 incline

Pace 2.5 miles per hour

and then the next workout

Time 32 min

Endurance 2.3 incline

Pace 2.5 and so on

My trainers thought process is that if you don't push everything all at once, and make it a gradual increase its going to be better for A. your body, and B. your progress.. Hope this helps..

I have been using a elliptical for about 3 years now. Can't stand the pounding (impact) when using a treadmill. Perhaps when I loose more weight.

Anyhow, there are 3 different styles of elliptical machines at the gym I go to. I am only comfortable on one of them. Seems that on the other 2, I am standing very erect, almost feeling like I am leaning backward at times. The one I use I feel that my weight is leaning a little forward. This is the only one I am comfortable with, so when it came time to purchase one I bought the same brand.

Ellipticals are more about resistance and time rather then speed. Set a goal, say 20-30 minutes for starting out, and set your resistance to "1". When you get comfortable, start increasing your resistance to 3, then 5, 7. When you can do 30 minutes at 7-10, then it's time to think about monitoring your heart rate and go fro the Cardio for 20-30 minutes. After that, you can start increasing your time.

You will get your endurance up as you do more. I started out only doing 5 mins and just slowly worked myself up. And you can play with the settings and see what you like the best. I have been using the elliptical for 2 years now and still have days where my muscles are having a tough time keeping up.

And here I was feeling good about doing my 3 minutes tonite and only having to stop once..lol Guess I have a LONG ways to go..

My elliptical has the moving arms so that helps give more of a full body workout for me. I can't do the ellipticals that only the legs move on a tract, too up & down for me and heck on my hamstrings. I'd say just start out slowly with resistance at 1. After 5 minutes, see if you can increase the resistance a notch. Gradually increase every 5 minutes, etc. until you reach the goal you've set for yourself. Considering it's all about getting your heart rate up, if you can only keep resistance at 1 or 2, just get your speed up until you're feeling stronger and muscles are adjusting to the new routine of working out. I've worked my way up to resistance 15 and start at 1...I increase resistance every 2-3 minutes and it keeps me from getting bored (mentally & physically)! Good luck and keep up the good work!!!

Lol wow. I bought a Gold's Gym elliptical from my friend for $60, and the first time on it I did one minute and had to rest before doing another minute. Three days later I got on again and did 2 minutes straight and about died. I'm thinking the elliptical just isn't for me.. maybe we should look into buying a new treadmill or something.