Elliptical Gripe!

(Disclaimer:  I am talking mostly about the movable handles on the ellipticals in the post, not the stationary handles you would use to balance when you are just starting to use the elliptical) 

Hi.  I am a personal trainer and I used to work at a gym that has lots of different cardio equipment such as ellipticals (aka cross-trainers), treadmills, bikes, rowers, etc.  One thing that bothers me terribly is when  I see people relying on the handles too much when they work out on the elliptical trainer. 

Unfortunately, one size does not fit all when it comes to ellipticals.  I have not ever seen an elliptical that has adjustable arm handles.  When I first started working out, I hated the elliptical because I kind of thought you were supposed to use the handles, and they threw off my whole rhythm!  I think some people can use the handles correctly, especially if they have longer arms or a bigger frame.  The only person I have ever seen who looked really, really natural using the arms on a elliptical was this huge guy, almost 7 feet tall, who was actually a pro TV wrestler that worked out at our gym for a while. 

Every morning when I go to the gym (I still go even though I have a new job) I see this very distressing scene.  There is this tiny little lady, barely over 5 feet with a tiny upper body and short little arms, on the elliptical, hunched over so she can reach the handles, going at it with all her might, and even though she is hunched over, it looks as if the stupid handles are going to rip her arms right out of socket!  DO NOT BE LIKE HER!  Don't force yourself to do any exercise if it's uncomfortable or if it feels very unnatural after you have tried it several times.   This lady is RUINING her posture and probably giving herself neck, shoulder and upper back injury every day when she is just trying to be healthy. 

(BTW I want to go up and say something to her whenever I see her.  If anyone has any suggestions as to how I can do this without embarassing her please let me know- it's a little complicated b/c she doesn't know very much english!)

IMHO, the elliptical is more effective when you DON'T use the handles because it forces you to use your core and legs more, and also it reinforces GOOD posture because you have to stand up straight to balance.  So, unless it suits you, let's LET GO OF THE HANDLES everybody! 

I'm gonna try this today! :)

And when I, as a big 6'4" guy, inevitably get whacked in the arm by the handlebar, I'll be sure to remember who told me to do this ;)

No, I joke, I'll give it a try. Really :)

I have seen this also at the gym.  thanks for the tip.  I am glad that I don't use the handles.  I feel my core much better when I don't!!

I have a question since we are discussing ellipticals. 

Snow - should you do the manual program that you set yourself or pick one?  I ususally pick the one that looks like a you go up a peak and then down with little vallies at the beginning and end.  I always set it on level 10.  Is this good for burning cals?  Or should I do something different.  I would love some advice on this.

I ususally go for 30-45 minutes.

AHMEN! haha

I totally agree. I try to never use the ellipticals with moving arms if possible. I try to stick to the ones with handles on the sides that don't move. I like to stand tall and move my arms myself. Definately better. But when I have had to use the armed ones it is terrible. I try to still move my arms on my own and always end up getting slammed in the hand by the moving handles, and OUCH it hurts! haha. But I definatey Hear You on this one!

=)

LOL I have gotten slammed in the hand by the handles too! 

I don't really think it matters whether you do a program or just put it on manual.  It's a bit quicker to set up if it's on manual and you don't have to switch speeds, so it is more of a no brainer and I think feels more natural.  Do whatever you prefer. 

That being said, if you get bored really easily (I do on the elliptical) you may want to do a program like the one you chose with peaks and valleys, just to keep it interesting.  This is also good for your heart.  I don't think choosing one program over another burns more calories.  That is mostly up to you and how fast you go or how high the resistance is. Bottom line with any cardio exercise, the best form of exercise is the one you ENJOY the most b/c that is the one you will keep doing. 

Thank you for posting this! I completely agree. Give me an arm-less crosstrainer anyday. =)

Oh, and what's with the people chugging away on the stairmasters while leaning heavily on the rails?! Do they not get that they're robbing themselves of the majority of the workout because they're holding themselves up?

i have never had trouble with the handels.. ever :D and im onyl 5'4! LOL!

I've never had trouble with the handles, and I like holding onto them even if it's just to rest my arms. I'm 5'8 though. My posture is straight while I do it, too.

That's odd.  I have a cheap $300 elliptical called an eclipse 1100 it has moveable handles and the foot pedals are long so you can get close to the front of the machine or far away and I have not had a bit of trouble with the handles getting in the way or being awkward to use.  I tried a Nordic trak and some other brand  once at a hotel I was staying at and hated them.  They were very uncomfortable to try to use.  I am average height for a female @ 5'6"

For a cheap little piece of equipment I have used everyday I have not had one problem with it - I think its the best purchase I've made in years.

Our gym has ellipticals with the staitionary support handles on the side, and I find that  I have to hold them lightly to balance myself, particularly if I'm going at a decent speed, or on an incline, or both.  So my question for the collective group is, since not holding on helps with your core muscles, would it be better to go slower (but in theory burning less calories??) and not hold on, or because I'm not leaning heavily on the handles, and going at a decent pace, should I just continue as I have been?  Thoughts?

I would say, go slower but with more resistance.  That way it's just as difficult-or more difficult. 

You could also do interval training:  Increase the resistance for a few minutes and concentrate on balance, then lose some resistance and concentrate on speed for a few minutes while holding on lightly. 

The ellipticals I have been around are PreCors.  There was one type of elliptical that I used at my cousin's gym in Dallas that had awesome ellipticals, they were actually more like gliders but she called them ellipticals.  So I guess there are some that are good for different-sized people to use the handles on.  :)

I have a cheap version of this machine with large pedels which helps to get up closer to it plus adjustable handles for height. I find it great cauze I'm only 155cm. It's the best thing I've ever bought for myself (minus the shoe collection of course).

Does anyone know which is better for improving fitness and burning fat... treadmill or elliptical bike?

I love the handles, I'm pretty short, 5'4" and I'm not sure if I'm ruining my posture with it, but my arms get such a great workout from the handles that it's worth it...but I've never felt uncomfortable doing it.

It doesn't really matter what kind of cardio (elliptical or tmill) you do, if you like it you will keep doing it and get better and better at it, that's the secret to burning lots of calories.  Find whatever it is you like. 

i don't use the handles at all so my legs are doing most of the work. i do swing my arms as if i were powerwalking .

I own an Octane Fitness 37e and mine has adjustable handels.  It also has the ability to have your hands in different positions.  I am 5'7" and my husband is 5'10" I keep the handle in the middle position and the only time I have problems is when I try to lean back  I keep my hands on the handles.  I use my arms all the time, mine even has an "arm blaster" program to do a stregnth training program with your arms. 

I think it comes down to finding the right mechine for you, or finding a mechine that can adjust to your body.  A 4'9" woman should not use the same equipment as a 6'2" man.  If the equipment doesn't fit you don't use it.

The Octane's have adjustable arm handles and foot pedels (depending on the model).  They are pretty exspensive but I think mine was well worth the cost.

Snowhite, I hope you have good luck with talking with the lady you are worried about.  Would it be difficult to catch her as she's coming or going, instead of while she's on the machine?  If she's out of breath, that might make it even harder to talk.  Maybe start off with a compliment about how hard she works or something?  I guess these suggestions are kind of obvious, but I just wanted to support your good intentions of saying something to help her. 

And all this time I thought that the handles were ESSENTIAL!!! I thought that they were there to work on the arms to get them to be smaller. What's going on?!?!?!

A bit off topic, but what about the people that set the treadmill incline to like 15, grab on to the top and walk - whats the point?

Thank you! I never use the handles because I would have to be a monkey with 10 ft arms to use them :P And my heart rate still goes up and I lose weight on it.
Made my day! Thank you!

Talking about distressing sights in the gym when people use the machines wrong, it drives me insane watching people rowing in the gym. I don't understand because 2 of the 3 gyms ive been a member of insist on induction training but around 95% of people I've seen using the rowers are making the same fundamental error so the staff must surely be inducting them wrong. I so want to say something but the people would probably just think I was being rude, though I do know what I'm doing (vice captain of the girls team in college) they don't know that....and I can't tell everyone or it would be a full time job. So to everyone on here:

DONT bend your knees then lift the handle over! Straighten your arms, lean a few degrees from the hips and when the handle is half way between your knees and ankles, THEN bend your knees!

Rant over!