ellipticals--do you have one? what do you like about it?

[choochootrain]

what model do you have?

I'm researching low impact ways to do aerobic activities. Please share everything you know about ellipticals!

[choochootrain]

Now I hear that they might be bad for knees / ankles... if the stride is not long enough for the height.

[MsVyky]

Honestly, I don't like them at all. They don't really replicate any natural movement. Plus they do something really funny to your circulation (Every time I've used one, my toes went numb)

I can't recommend swimming enough for no-impact aerobic exercise

[choochootrain]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

Honestly, I don't like them at all. They don't really replicate any natural movement. Plus they do something really funny to your circulation (Every time I've used one, my toes went numb)

I can't recommend swimming enough for no-impact aerobic exercise

Thanks! I wish I could go swimming easily, I love swimming. I'm looking for something I can do at home, whenever I have time.

I've been thinking about "natural" movements. Biking is not "natural" this way either, right?

I tried several machines this weekend in stores. I spent about 15 minutes on one, with some interruptions. I can't figure out if it is good for my knees or not. i have patellofemural syndrom, and when I'm on the machine, it felt perfect, but last night i think i felt some of the inflamation tingling under my knee caps. but it was not bad, or maybe i was overreacting, i can't quite say.

i want to try the ones with the 20" stride, as i'm 6'. but the ones in the stores with that stride are way too expensive.

i might wait until Soles go on sale, and then order without trying, and return if needed (but that would be a pain).

if anyone has any other thoughts, please share. particularly in relation to knee issues.

thanks!

[FoxintheSnow]

I use the one at the gym a lot and I love it. I had a bad knee and its the only equipment that doesn't aggravate it. Whenever I get into a weight loss routine, it's my go to thing.

[ellairiesmom]

nak

i was not using the treadmill we had at all. i hated it. a friend loved her elliptical & back when i was going to the gym i had used one here & there & liked it.

we just got (dh put it together last night) an Eclipse HRA 1100 on amazon for $449 w/ free shipping. shipping only took about 5 days.

we only tested it out last night briefly. it was late & we were full from dinner- LOL.

it met our <$500 requirement. & i like that it is easy to move (much easier & lighter than treadmill). i really wanted something i could put in living room where i knew was where the most use would occur BUT can easily be moved into another room when company came over.

i really, really need to get my a$$ on there & get a routine started this week & can give you more feedback then.

[choochootrain]

Originally Posted by ellairiesmom

nak

i was not using the treadmill we had at all. i hated it. a friend loved her elliptical & back when i was going to the gym i had used one here & there & liked it.

we just got (dh put it together last night) an Eclipse HRA 1100 on amazon for $449 w/ free shipping. shipping only took about 5 days.

we only tested it out last night briefly. it was late & we were full from dinner- LOL.

it met our <$500 requirement. & i like that it is easy to move (much easier & lighter than treadmill). i really wanted something i could put in living room where i knew was where the most use would occur BUT can easily be moved into another room when company came over.

i really, really need to get my a$$ on there & get a routine started this week & can give you more feedback then.

please let me know how you like it!

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

Honestly, I don't like them at all. They don't really replicate any natural movement. Plus they do something really funny to your circulation (Every time I've used one, my toes went numb)

How strange. Mine do the same thing.

That said- I love my elliptical (I got a Sears brand quite a few years back). It's the only thing that didn't aggravate my back and joints after a car accident.

[Kreeblim]

I use the ellipticals at the gym where they have several styles. Getting on the wrong one is like night and day. The type I use now (don't know the brand but I'll make a note of it tomorrow...) feels like I'm walking on air. The movement is super natural and I haven't noticed any circulation or knee/ankle issues. I do 45 minutes 5 days/week at a pretty sweaty pace and am 5'8"/224 pounds after giving birth in January. Two newer ellipitcals are available as well but I never did more than 5 minutes on either because the movement felt so weird. On the other hand, they can't be terrible for everybody because they are always full of people. I would definately give whatever style you decide to go with a nice looooooong test drive before purchase...I never would have been able to predict which machine worked best for me before getting on it.

[ellairiesmom]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

Honestly, I don't like them at all. They don't really replicate any natural movement. Plus they do something really funny to your circulation (Every time I've used one, my toes went numb)

I can't recommend swimming enough for no-impact aerobic exercise

I had asked a trainer about this as well as a foot Dr at one point...they both said they thought it sounded like my sneakers might be tied too tight???? And I also saw something online about it once when I googled it. I can't recall who mentioned a possible solution (besides making sure you are wearing the correct size/width) but it had something to do with lacing your sneakers up the opposite way they come.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by ellairiesmom

I had asked a trainer about this as well as a foot Dr at one point...they both said they thought it sounded like my sneakers might be tied too tight???? And I also saw something online about it once when I googled it. I can't recall who mentioned a possible solution (besides making sure you are wearing the correct size/width) but it had something to do with lacing your sneakers up the opposite way they come.

It happens to me with or without shoes on. I actually thought it was because of the textured footpad maybe hitting nerves in my feet wrong or something, but then I tried wearing shoes and it still happened. So I have no clue.


Oh- and Kreeblim had a REALLY good point. I tried out a ton of different brands and styles before I found one that I like. All the rest felt so unnatural to me and would have been really uncomfortable. The gym types are the most comfortable, but you're looking at thousands of dollars. The cheaper ones (<$1000) are really made so differently.

[choochootrain]

The ones that everyone recommends is Sole, but they are not in stores, only on-line. DH is not willing to risk it, as they ARE all different. Sears had a huge sale on Soles just last week, half price, but by that time we weren't sure we wanted one, and we didn't jump on it. Now they are back to their regular prices.

I plan to go and work out at another machine at Sears, for like 30 min They encouraged it. It is half price, and has good reviews (Schwinn).

The ones we saw at specialty stores, were either really great but into thousands of dollars, or at about the price we were aiming, but seemed wobbly and DH didn't like them.

The Schwinn one that I tried at the store afor about 15 min felt very natural--like I was running, but without lifting my feet.

It has been two days, and my knees haven't bothered me. So I just need a longer work out to try there. That will be a sight!