trouble with the elliptical! advice!?!?
 

At my dorm we have a 'workout room' with a few treadmills and elliptical machines. I have just started walking and doing light cardio and resistance bands for the past two weeks. I am very out of shape at 252lbs. So to get to the point, I have tried the ellipitcal twice and both times after just 30 seconds or so, my calves start burn and I feel like I can't do it! I watch the Biggest Loser and notice that people larger than me are doing the elliptical. So I guess my question is how long do you do it for when you are a beginner? and does anyone have any advice or motivation? thank you in advance for your responses!

When I first got on the elliptical I had the same reaction as you...try taking the stairs rather than a elevator or escalator whenever possible. Do this for about a week and then go back to the elliptical - you'll find you'll be able to go for about 10 mins. Then just work yourself to longer periods of time - I increased each day by 5 min. It does get easier...and it's now my favorite machine

its muscle fatige because you spend most of the time on the eliptical on your toes your heel barely touches the floor. keep going with it push through get to 30s push for 40 then for 60. its just building up the muscle endurance in your calves.

this is not the same as a sharp stabbing pain this you should get looked at cos i may be a pulled/torn muscle but a bit of burning is a good sign it shows your working

Are you starting off hardcore, resistance cranked up or warming up gradually?

I suspect that if you're not used to any exercise at all, even 30 seconds on the easiest setting can be tough at first. But don't get discouraged! Your muscles may complain about it big time, but they will get used to it after a week or two, and you will see some rapid improvement.

Are you going at a slow walking speed? I would recommend you do that at first, and as you feel your legs can handle it, slowly increase the speed as well as the time.

I also found that at first my legs burned after only a minute or two, but if I ignored it for a minute, the feeling went away, I could go for much longer without the burning feeling bothering me.

BP

When I started my elliptical I had it on lowest setting & could go about 5 min. Each day I made myself push for 1 more min. Most days I could do it, now I can do it for 30-45 min. It will get easier!!!

I don't know about that being on your toes the whole time thing...but i definately recommend aiming for 5 minutes like the above poster said. Then each day add a minute to it. Eventually, you'll be doing 30 minutes in no time. Oh yeah...and start on the easy level first. Once you hit 30 minutes, then you can crank up the resistance a little bit. And you dont have to crank up the resistance for the whole time either...probably do better to turn it up and down at certain intervals. That's the way i do it. I just started on my elliptical at home and i started out with 10 minutes (and it was a HARD 10 minutes....lol). And now i'm up to 13 minutes. Oh and if you have access to this workout room more than once a day...try doing 2 small workouts. I worked out like 3 times yesterday on my elliptical for a grand total of 36 minutes.

Thanks for the help/advice everyone! I did 15 minutes on the elliptical today! The pain did go away after a couple minutes and while I didnt go very fast, and I used the lowest resistance, I made it through!! (I watched wheel of fortune while I was doing it and that really took my mind of it!) thanks again and I will keep working harder!!:carrot::D:D

NurseK...that's great!! I'm so glad that you were able to perservere (sp??) thru. It's really hard to keep going when you have a burning sensation..but usually when you keep going, the burning sensation does tend to go away and it is easier. Way to go on 15 minutes!!!! Before you know it, you'll be doing 30 minutes and not even realize it. I too have a tv in my workout room i try to watch while working out.

yay that is great! i find it hard too, but i think make sure you walk for about 10 mins to warm up first (treadmill) and i think it is easier!

Does anyone have the problem of their feet going NUMB while on the elliptical? I suspect this is also a side-effect of "being on your toes", but is there any way to avoid it??

yeah i definatly have felt the feet going numb...i try to everynow and then schrunch my toes in and out with the flow of the machine. that gets the feeling back in them.

If your toes go numb you are leaning a little too far forward on your stride. Try to keep your weight in your heels, use them to push the pedals. Also, try to lean back just a little. I felt like I was tipping over backwards at first so had to hold the handles until I got used to the feeling, but no more tingly feet! :)