[bailey7]

Hi everybody, I'm new here. Was lurking around for awhile to see how things work and you've sold me that this is the place to be to lose weight. I'm not very active as of late and I smoke so I really don't want to kill myself on my trainer. I'm just wondering whoever uses an eliptical trainer, how fast and how far do you go? I'm doing 20 min. at average 12mph. and getting 4 miles but calories are only saying 100 burned!!!

[e.mccoy]

Well bailey7 I am 215 pounds and I love the elliptical. I think that you should go at whatever pace that makes you comfortable. I find it a little strange that you do 4 miles and only burn 100 calories. But it also depends on your age and your weight. I do 2 miles in about thirty 30 minutes and I burn close to 300 calories.So i would check with someone on that. Good Luck and welcome to 3fc.

[grraccoon]

Bailey7 do you increase the resistance? I usually do the EFX machine and up the resistance to about 6 or 7 that will really begin to burn more calories. I don't go really fast either... the resistance is really what helps me. I usually burn about 300 cals in 30 min.

[ChinkyDragonfly]

I've heard the calorie counters on machines aren't accurate by nearly 50% so take that in account.

[kl_life]

I just tried that machine today for the first time at the gym...i was on it for 10 minutes at level 2 and it said i burnt 100 calories. I also did hear that some machines dont always read acurately...either way any physical activity is good for you.

["Yes-I-Can"]

Ok, I don't know much about exercise machines. I've recently bought a treadmill and was thinking of getting an elliptical. I saw one at Wal-Mart for like $95. It's a "Gazelle" or something like that. Is this as good as a more expensive one? Or rather is it even the same thing? Does anyone know? Thanks.

[Suzanne 3FC]

Originally Posted by bailey7

I'm doing 20 min. at average 12mph. and getting 4 miles but calories are only saying 100 burned!!!

I think different manufacturers use different formulas. My last treadmill said I burned 900 calories per hour, but my new one says I burn 120

The actual amount of calories you burn will vary depending on your weight. A 250 lb woman will burn more calories doing the same activity as a 120 lb woman. I think the best thing to do is concentrate on speed, distance, and time, and keep a little log to chart your progress. This can be more satisfying than watching the calories and never really knowing how many you are burning.

[Suzanne 3FC]

Originally Posted by Yes-I-Can

Or rather is it even the same thing? Does anyone know? Thanks.

I think technically it is an elliptical, but most people think of the other type when we hear the word - the ones that look kind of like a bike that you stand on.

A lot of members here use Gazelles and have been happy with them.

I bought a Gazelle, but I preferred a treadmill, so I sold it to sister Amy, because she didn't like her treadmill. Sister Jennifer also bought a Gazelle and also sold hers to Amy. Amy sold one of hers to a friend, and she also sold her treadmill because she just wanted the Gazelle. I bought an elliptical, but have considered selling it to Jennifer, because I prefer my treadmill. Jennifer has a treadmill, but isn't sure she prefers it.

So, it's really hard to tell if you are going to be happy with a piece of equipment My suggestion is to find a friend that has one that you can use a few times. If you want a Gazelle, either buy one used or get it from Walmart, they have a pretty liberal return policy if you decide you are not happy with it. If possible, get one with adjustable resistance, so you can increase the intensity as you get used to it. Many people complain that it becomes too easy, too quickly.

If you decide to buy an elliptical (the other kind), try to stay away from the Walmart models. Consumer Reports covered treadmills and ellipticals in the January edition, and they had nothing but bad things to say about the machines you get at Walmart, Sears, etc. Apparently they frequently break down and/or become loud and clunky after just a few months. I posted a few bits from it in this thread

[bailey7]

Thanks everybody. For the record I'm 46 and 186 lbs. I have an Orbitek and it doesn't have any of the pre-programs you find in the more expensive models (only $150.00 on sale) but it does have a manual tension and I'm about 1/2 way. I do sweat alot and I think that it must be not accurate. Thanks again to all

[ras8779]

Suzanne your explaination made me smile! It's great to have sisters to share equipment with. It makes it so much easier to store too!

Bailey-I have the new Orbitrek and I believe the miles are way off as well as the calorie count. It's kind of a bummer but I usually just go by the time I spend on it rather then the miles/calories. I'm only up to 15 minutes so you are doing great. I really like my Orbitrek and I owned the original one many years ago and the Platinum I have now is even better. When I first started to use it I could barely breath! Now it's getting easier so I need to increase time and resisitance. I also own a Gazelle and although I liked it and found it fun it didn't get my heart rate up like the Orbitrek does. Do you have the original or the new one?

[bailey7]

Originally Posted by ras8779

Suzanne your explaination made me smile! It's great to have sisters to share equipment with. It makes it so much easier to store too!

Bailey-I have the new Orbitrek and I believe the miles are way off as well as the calorie count. It's kind of a bummer but I usually just go by the time I spend on it rather then the miles/calories. I'm only up to 15 minutes so you are doing great. I really like my Orbitrek and I owned the original one many years ago and the Platinum I have now is even better. When I first started to use it I could barely breath! Now it's getting easier so I need to increase time and resisitance. I also own a Gazelle and although I liked it and found it fun it didn't get my heart rate up like the Orbitrek does. Do you have the original or the new one?

I have the original and since it's new I'll have to use it or break it before hubby will get me a new one. Yesterday I did 20 min. then had a rest and got back on for another 10 but today I only got on for 20, it seemed a little bit hard for me.

[ras8779]

bailey-the old machine was great too. I didn't like the Orbitrek Pro though. It wasn't made very sturdy. One of the arms that held the petal on kept falling off and made using it dangerous but my first original Orbitrek was great. I really do like the Platinum and bought mine when they were really expensive. But I'm sure you will be able to buy them for allot less soon. I don't see the infomercials for this half as much as I used to!