Does working out on the elliptical affect your joints??

If you work out on the elliptical for several months, does your joints hurt?? after several months on the elliptical , I can't really run on the treadmill. Just wondering if I am just tired or it is because of the elliptical?

Working out on the elliptical won't hurt your joints as it's a very low impact workout.  (assuming you're using it properly of course)  I wonder if your joints had built up extra strength to handle the impact on the treadmill and that decreased through lack of use?  I'm certainly not an expert, but I'd suggest gradually building up your treadmill use again, not stressing out your joints too much as you don't want to cause them damage.

Since the elliptical is actually low impact I'd say your probably just going to need to slowly progress back up to running on the treadmill.

Many thanks:) so it is low impact? it was my only cardio workout actually. I am heavy , 153 pounds and 5'3". maybe it is my weight. i don't understand why my joints hurt when I run on the treadmill. I actually don't run, I jog. is 12mph good?

i think 12mph is entirely too fast and you must of mistyped

thats like expert marathoners speed

when i first started jogging on the treadmill ( and i'm way fatter than you) it was slow , like 2.5 mph for just a few minutes at a time, after a year i can finally run on the treadmill at 5.0 mph but for only 15 minutes

i think if you are pear shaped its really hard to run comfortably

I find it is eaier to see when you say 12 minute mile or something. How fast you run an average mile. Anyway you might need a different running shoe or something. I am 5 8 and 185 pounds. very heay. But i run just always have. i have to have a lot of foot support because my ankles roll. Maybe you need something to help your foot keep on a better track. you might just have weak knees though.

guys I believe you. I am not a fast runner at all but what is 12mph I see on the screen when I try to increase the speed??

OK. another way to find out. I run a bit more than a mile per 15 m. something like 1.20  maybe someone can help me to figure out what my speed is. Thanks.

My joints really hurt. I feel like an old woman. what are your suggestions? please help. should I increase my cals intake maybe that will help? or it is because I am heavy or maybe because I haven't run for a such a long time.

1 mile per 15 minutes equals 4 miles and hour. Have you talked to your doctor about the pain? It can't be good to be in serious pain and not get it checked, thats my opinion anyway. 

go slower, if you want  to run/jog, start out really really slow to where it doesnt hurt, that might be like 2.5 mph or a 24 minute mile, its slow , really slow, in fact you can walk faster than that comfortably and really easy, work up to faster speeds by upping the mph by a one tenth every few weeks, also, dont try to do it every day either

running is really hard on the joints unless you are super skinny

where you dont have all that excess weight working against you on your joints

Kriztina: so my current speed is 2.5 mph ?? how do you calculate that?

I am not super skinny yet. I still carry weight. just want to break into the running world.

no your current speed is about 5mph if you do a mile in 12 minutes

you should drop down to half that to start, thats why your joints hurt

go wayyyy wayyyy slow, about 2.5 mph or do a mile in about 24 minutes

you can probably go a little faster if you want, but to reduce stress on  your aching joints go slow, then gradually go a little faster each week, that will be easiest on your joints

i am too a little heavy for my frame 5"1 and 182lbs and i found that when running on the treadmill before when my knee would hurt i would not run at an incline.  also when i get home i ice them right away. what type of treadmill are u running on the one i used is a precor and it state on to screen how fast u are running at and the incline and the miles maybe adjussting the setting might tell u how fast u are running at. good luck and make sure u ice those knees. i had to stop completley and use the elipitacal but i can no stand it man but u do what u  have to ok good luck..

I also have problems with my knees.  They grind and pop and I find it very difficult to go down the stairs at times.  I went to the doctor for it and he told me I needed to strengthen the muscles around the knee cap because the muscles weren't tight enough to hold the knee cap in place (often called Runner's Knee).  Also, I over pronate my foot (foot rolls inward slightly) and went and spent the money on a good pair of running shoes to prevent the roll.  Then I started to take glucosamine pills to help lubricate the joints.  After everything was said and done I was running three miles a day outdoors (which is harder on the joints then a tread mill) and there was no pain.  I would recommend you see a doctor and they can determine the best course of action for you.

Yea elliptical is better either way, I've learned from any personal trainer I've ever talked to and I have friends who are trainers and treadmill is one you should stay away from, its better running on the rubber tracks. But elliptical is real good for you.