So I just joined a gym last month. For the most part I have been doing the bike, treadmill and a few arm weights. I see people on the eliptical and going so fast and what seems like forever. As they are flying on this thing the have the ipod going in 1 hand and texting away with the other. So I think how bad can it be. I am not exagerating when I say 3 minutes nearly killed me and not going fast. I think it takes way more coordination then I have. Is this something you get used to? Or are some people just not meant for this torture device.

It's funny I really like the eliptical and can do an hour at level 20 out of 25. I've even had thin people come up to me and say "how can you stay on there that long!". There are two other of machines however that I've tried and in less than one minute I get so dizzy and nauseous I have to stop.

The elliptical can be tough initially because you are using different muscles. However, in my experience the elliptical is a machine of diminishing returns. The more you use it the more acclimated your body gets and the less effective it becomes. The best way to avoid this is to keep an eye on your heart rate to make sure it stays elevated at optimum levels while you are on it. Also, the elliptical is fantastic for knee rehab and a great low-impact cardio workout. Just remember, sweating is not an indicator of fat burning or muscle building. For me, the general rule is, if my heart rate stays up then I'm burning calories and if I'm sore the next day then I'm building muscle. Good luck!

Gaither

I agree with this, the heart rate advice but also the diminishing returns thing. I simply dont understand how people can believe that they burn mega calories on an elliptical when you're not actually lifting and moving your body weight, its pretty much exactly the same as an exercise bike. It gets very easy very quickly and you have to push it on the highest levels to raise your heartrate. I'd never buy one for home, you can get way way more out of a good treadmill. I even do walking lunges and side squats and mountain climbers and handwalking on my treadmill - complete body workout!

I agree with this, the heart rate advice but also the diminishing returns thing. I simply dont understand how people can believe that they burn mega calories on an elliptical when you're not actually lifting and moving your body weight, its pretty much exactly the same as an exercise bike. It gets very easy very quickly and you have to push it on the highest levels to raise your heartrate. I'd never buy one for home, you can get way way more out of a good treadmill. I even do walking lunges and side squats and mountain climbers and handwalking on my treadmill - complete body workout!

Handwalking...as in upside down and vertical OMG and I still cannot let go of the rails. Were you athletic even when you were heavy or did you just totally change your mindset? I used to have an elliptical, but I never felt comfortable on it and then it went to live with my sister. She didn't like it either and sold it at a yard sale. I love my NordicTrak treadmill, even with my balance issues.

Robbie

hahaha, gosh, no not totally upside down, lol (although I can do a handstand :-) Its walking on your hands in a pushup position. And yes, I've always been reasonably athletic, I could run short distances even at my heaviest. I used to do a lot of running when I was younger and I guess i"m just lucky that I really do like to work hard.

Yes! Start slow and with no resistance. I had lapband May 3rd 2011 and started the gym on May 20th 2011. I am up to 45 min on the elipitical and the inches are melting off my legs and hips its just really remarkable I never would have thunk it! HANG IN THERE!!!!! KEEP TRYING IT WILL MELT THE WEIGHT AND INCHES OFF!!!!!!!

I tried it today and lasted 3 minutes ha ha but when I did it I think it said resistance 15 so I will make sure there is no resistance

I'm actually going to restart the elliptical. I used to always do it at the gym, but then I joined kickboxing and just did that instead. Now I feel like I'm needing to switch things up, so I'm rejoining the gym this morning and going to be doing elliptical first. Hopefully I can still go like I used to for 40 minutes or so at level 7. Though I'm probably gonna put the level higher today. I still remember, like others that when I first tried it initially I could barely do 5 minutes.

It will get easier! I do the crosstrainer for an hour now. When i start at 25 mins.