Okay, so I've always heard that the elliptical is supposed to be better than a treadmill for being lower impact. So why is it that I can run (okay... jog...) just fine on the treadmill but literally feel like I'm going to die after two minutes on the elliptical? I tore up my knee when I was younger so I figured it would be better, but after not even a lap I feel like I ran a marathon! I know that probably means I'm getting a better workout, but I'd rather not be the still-fat girl huffing and puffing after only two minutes on the dang thing! Lol. Some people on here swear by the elliptical and can go for 30-45 minutes without stopping, or even 15-20 minutes for some people around my weight. Am I just doing it wrong? Should I suck it up and just power through it even though if feels like I'm going to have a heart attack? Should I just stick to my trusty treadmill and bike?

I do the elliptical 5 days a week now. Told my husband I'm an "addictical."

I'd love to start riding a bike again but I have to wait until I'm lighter. Last time I tried to ride one I thought the tires were flat. No. It was just me mashing the poor thing into the pavement.

:/

I am the opposite, I prefer the elliptical, but get a much better workout on the flat treadmill. Because I don't want the high impact, when I do the elliptical I make it harder by doing 10 minutes forward, 10 minutes backward and repeat. You wouldn't believe what going backwards does for your butt!

LadyIvy, I'm going to have to try your suggestion. Usually whenever I go "backwards" on the elliptical, I end up going faster than normal (like 200+ RPM, where forwards a normal RPM is 150 for me). Idk what it is on the elliptical, but I absolutely love it. Years ago, whenever I first used it, I remember 5 mins and I was dying. But it was a challenge and now I love it.

I'm doing other workout classes and incorporating elliptical and the stair master (that killer) every other day rotations between classes (so elliptical this morning, class tonight, stair master tomorrow, class tomorrow night). Yes, I've resumed my workout addiction and currently loving it