questions about elliptical trainer

I was wondering, has anyone gotten good results just by exercising with an elliptical? I have 30 lbs to lose. I've been to the gym a few times and the elliptical machine is my favorite machine to use for a cardio workout.

I'd like to buy one, but I just want to know if it is just as effective as any other form of cardio exercise?

Lastly, does anyone have any recommendations on elliptical trainers? I really don't want to spend more than $450-$500, and I want to buy one that tracks calories burned. I thought about buying the Eclipse 2100hr/a from walmart. It's under $400 and looks like it would get the job done.  Any suggestions?

Thanks :)

Hi Pandaxx:

I actually just purchased an elliptical machine a few weeks ago from Sears.  It is the Proform XP 110 model and it cost me $400 and I got a 2 year warranty for an extra $60.  It is normally $500, but on sale at the time I purchased it. 

I actually haven't even really used it yet only because I attempted to put the machine together myself so it took a lot longer than normal...I did it over 1 week.  Then there is a wire going from the base through a pole up to the console that happened to come loose...so I had to take it apart to re-connect it....and def used some tape on it this time.  But now it is working fine, I love it.  It has I think 4 or 5 programs already programmed in, a personal trainer option, and manual.  It also is ifit compatable. 

The one from Walmart might not be too great.  I'm sure it will serve the purpose, but I figured if I wanted a good machine I my as well invest a $100 more in a much better machine.  Also, get the warranty if one's available!  It will make it easier for you down the road.  Also, one thing I noticed with the machines is how the resistance works...I recomend getting one that has it internally instead of a knob that adjusts it....just a suggestion. 

Good luck!  Here's the link of the one I purchased :)

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?ver tical=FIT&bidsite=&pid=00628543000&am p;BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&subcat=Ellipticals

Can't give advice on buying one, since I just use the ellipticals at the gym, but as far as good results -- definitely! For the first 6 - 7 months of my 'diet' I didn't actually diet at all. I kinda watched what I ate (cut back on candy and chips) but I didn't count calories at all and I still ate fast food and stuff like that. I managed to drop 20 lbs in 6 months just by working out on the elliptical for 1/2 an hour to 45 mins a day, 3 - 4 days a week. Not an amazing transformation or anything, but pretty impressive considering how I was eating. =) I find it as effective as other forms of cardio, as long as you're putting in effort!

when i go to the gym i also like to use the elliptical as to purchase one wouldn't know i also like to use the step master i dropped alot of weight useing that good for your leg's and butt LOL good luck to you !

Personally I'm more motivated AT THE GYM to "get er done".

So I wouldn't buy one.

But I use the elliptical all the time ... My legs are much more toned and my butt is firmer. haha I love that machine... the stairclimber is a wicked machine as well.

I also bought one from Sears. This is two years ago, mind you, but I paid about $300 for mine on sale. I really like it. The only problem I have had is that you need to keep tightening the screws periodically as they wiggle loose with use and start squeaking!

As far as an effective machine, I think it is. It burns loads of calories without making you feel completely wiped. I like to watch TV while I work out on it, otherwise it does get a bit boring.

So far it has not helped me lose weight, even when I was using it for 30 minutes a day, but I think that is only because I was eating too much still and wasn't counting calories at the time. However, I know I am more in shape because of it even if the pounds didn't come off. I also used it for most of my last pregnancy and it REALLY helped with gaining weight at a gradual pace and also I didn't get any swelling at all until I had to stop using it.

I purchased a Nordictrack elliptical a few months ago and I love it.  I used to use DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) as my main source of exercise but it is very rough on my joints and mean to my knees. : (  The eliptical is a great workout and is very gentle on your joints and muscles.  The only time it ever made me sore was when I used it for 2.5 hrs strait with no break  (I was in the ZONE!)

I always watch tv during my workouts and that really passes the time.  Sometimes I forget I'm even working out as intensely as I am because i'm so engrossed in what I'm watching.

The only thing I don't like about the elliptical is that it occasionly squeeks.  But its not that big of a problem or annoyance.
I use it at least 1 hr a day 5-6 days a week, and its been a great weight loss tool for me.

I got mine for $500 at Sears- it may seem like a big investment but its worth evrey penny.

Hey Jess!! What about Precor machines?  Try & look them up. I happen to love the ones where you can move the arms as well as the legs.

As far as a good workout. Yes!!  However, you can get a good workout with anything you do, whether it's a bike, treadmill, or classes...even weight training can become cardio when done right. It all boils down to pushing yourself and not becoming too comfortable.  Only you know that level.  And it will continually change.  When it starts feeling easy, up the resistance....or peddle backwards, or lift the incline on the elliptical. All will help. One with a heart rate monitor would be great, to gage your heart rate and the effectiveness of your fat burning.

Best of luck!

Susan

Oh sorry!! One more thing I forgot!!  Whatever calories it tells you you are burning, it is incorrect.  They are not ever right, no matter how much we all wish they were. It always says you burn more calories than you actually do.

great :) thank you all for the responses! :D

I know any form of cardio will result in weight loss. I guess I just want someone to say "yes, you will lose weight by exercising with the elliptical machine!" so I can justify buying one and go on with the mind set that I really can lose weight. :> heh

I bought an elliptical trainer a couple of weeks ago, and it's a great investment. I also have a treadmill & a bicycle - but I use the elliptical far more. From a previous post:

I decided to get an elliptical a while ago (have had it for a week now), but I did a lot of reading up on the net about them and how they compare to treadmills. I think everyone might have different experiences with them, but for me i can tell you:

• you can really FEEL your legs working. especially your thighs & butt
• 20 minutes on the elliptical feels like 40 minutes on the treadmill, mainly because the movement is similar to jogging
• the lack of impact really DOES make a difference
• the addition of arm movement is great if you want a full body workout

i think you should definitely read the following articles:

Cardiofitness - Elliptical machines
Treadmill vs Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Articles

And remember, even if you do prefer one type of exercise / machine, it is important to mix it up a bit. I think you will benefit more by using a treadmill and then an elliptical on alternating days, or even within one session. your body can easily get used to one form of exercise.

If you're going to be using equipment at a gym, the machines will be of a very high quality, so you're in good hands! Remember that resistance is important - don't just cruise through a 30 minute workout on a level 1 resistance. Also make use of the different programs available on the machine (such as interval training, and fat burning). it may seem like hard work at first, but you will grow to love it - i promise!

I got a Reebok elliptical, and it's awesome. It might wobble a little bit if you put it on a carpet, so it might be a good idea to buy a block of chipboard / cheap wood from a hardware store to put it on.

The one thing I love is that I can alternate my workouts. One day I can do HIIT for 25 minutes, and another day I can sweat it out with 40 minutes of fat burning. It's a good idea to buy one that you can input your height, weight, age etc (it helps with the calories burned counter) as well as resistance, a heart rate monitor and different programs.

mines the Horizon Fitness 400 or something. I have lost all my weight thanks to my Eliptical so..my advice? get one! They realy do kick arse BUT get one (like mine) where you can make your own resistnace corse, and keep trying to go higher and higher on the restiance as you get better.

I have done this, and can now do resistance on the highest level the eliptical will allow for a hour!!

I now have a rebounder - mini trampoline (i would surgest one of those too!) as well and im buying a running machine too!

I love my Nordic Track Eliptical.  I have had it for about 3.5 years now - I bought it at Sears and I have had no problems with it at all.  I use in generally when I have to be inside due to the weather.

han - out of interest, how much did you lose on the elliptical & how long did it take you? i do about 30-40 mins 5-6 days a week. i'm LOVING it, and my jeans are practically falling off me. do you ever do other cardio?

i lost about..er 28 pounds. started off at 5 mins then 10 to start with, and then 20. Its taken about 2 years as i planned to do it slowly so i would tone as i went. I nerver did other cardio at all, only started doing other stuff this july realy, i did do a bit of dancing too but it was deff the Eliptical that made me lose!!

Hi dhm1983:

I saw you say you do your elliptical for 30-40 min, 5-6 days a week....that's awesome!  I was wondering how much weight loss you have seen and how long you have been doing it. 

I recently bought an elliptical and I actually just started on it last night doing 25 minutes...my goal is to do it 5-6 days a week.  Great job!!  I hope I can keep the motivation up like you!  :)

am i the only person who seriously feels like she's going to die after being on the eliptical 10 minutes?

christen - you are not the only person who "seriously feels like she's going to die after being on the elliptical 10 minutes". I got on the one that's at the gym and was on it for two seconds. I liked the fluid movement, but I found it too hard on my knees...maybe I was doing it wrong, but I hated it. I am a treadmill kind of person...boring perhaps, but I mix it up a little by going faster, then slower, uphill, then back on a level surface....I work up a decent sweat walking away....so no worries christen.... you're not the only one!!

I got my elliptical from walmart online - its an eclipse 1100 I got it for 350 with shipping.  I've had it over a year use it everyday for at least an hour and have not had a problem with it.  The only thing with the calorie counters on these type of machines is they calculate what a 150 lb male would be burning.  I would invest in a heart rate monitor that gives you the calroies burned for your height age sex and weight and physical condition.

yeah, I considered buying the eclipse 1100 from walmart, because it was cheaper than the eclipse 2100. But... the eclipse 2100 looks like it has a longer stride.

I may just go to Sears and buy one now. That seems to be where everyone else is going. :)

Hi sugar84 - I have had the elliptical for about 2 weeks now. Previously, I was only using a treadmill & sometimes a stationery bike (and sporadically at that). I don't know why, but I much prefer the elliptical - probably because it's just so much more fun to me.

I have only lost a few lbs since I started CC (it will be 4 weeks on Tuesday), and at the moment I'm struggling a bit with retaining water (probably because of all the exercise) - so the scale isn't really my friend. But I can tell you, I have never felt better. Yesterday I realised that my jeans were literally falling off me. I could actually stand there and just pull them right off without even unbuttoning them! This from only 2 weeks of using the elliptical (plus a bit of strength training).

I could also only do about 10 minutes to start, at a low resistance - and I felt like my legs were going to fall off, they were burning so much! Now, when I finish 30 minutes, I can actually carry on for another 10. And I have to up the resistance a lot, to feel that burn again.

This is the first time with exercising that I could actually feel my heart pumping and that I was working up a serious sweat. I love it!