So I just tried out my elliptical for the first time. Holy crap that thing is a work out and a half, after about 10 minutes of regular speed and 5 of a little faster, I was done. For those who have an elliptical, how was it when you first got it, how long can you go on it for now?

Most people I know who use the elliptical were only able to go 5-10 minutes at a time, but were able to extend that after a fairly short period of time.

I would do 10 on the elliptical and then 10 on the bike and then 10 on the elliptical until I could do all 30 minutes on the elliptical. I can go up to about 50 minutes now.

I don't recall it taking very long- I worked up to a 30-40 minute average in maybe a few weeks?

When I first started, I'd been doing 30-40 minutes on the treadmill - but 5 minutes on the elliptical kicked my butt! Now I can go for 30 minutes or more (there's a 30 min limit at our gym if someone is waiting). I like it

When I started on the elliptical, I'd already been doing various other forms of cardio...but I started at 45 minutes. Worked my way up to my current hour. I did have to have the resistance low, though...

Well, I am glad then that it is an actual hard work out, and I'm just not THAT out of shape. lol

i started being able to do 7 minutes, now i can do 15 in like two weeks! its tough! just push through it as much as you can x

Thanks ladies! I WILL work my way up!!!!

I think when I first started, 7 mins was my limit. Keeping in mind that I hadn't worked out in YEARS when I first started.

I also found that - for me - if I could make it past the 11 minute mark, it got easier. I have no idea why 11 mins was my magic number, but it really helped me mentally to hit that point ... it's like I hit my stride or something.

AT this point I *can* do an hour or more. I don't want to. I usually do 30-40 mins of HIIT on the elliptical, when I do it.
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am I supposed to lean forward at all?? or keep my entire body straight?

You want to keep your back straight, but relaxed. Tighten your butt, keep your abs firm, and work with your legs and hips. It's ok to lean forward a little, but you don't want to be pitched forward too much, or you'll wind up on your toes a lot - which makes your toes go numb!

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ahah okay thanks, I ask because the handles move with it on this one and they seemed a little far away to stay completely straight.

When I got mine, at first I struggled to do 10 minutes on the lowest setting, but after two weeks I was up to 30 minutes at a moderate setting, and after another week or two I could comfortably do 45 minutes at the same moderate setting. I kept a spreadsheet of my workouts every day (how long, which resistance level, calories burned, etc) and I was surprised to look back and see how quickly my endurance built. (Speed, however, is a whole different question, lol.)

As for the leaning - does your adjust? You should be able to adjust it to a comfortable setting. Check it out I had to make a few adjustments to my own before I was comfortable.

I could do 5-6 minutes when I first started. Now I can comfortably do 60+ if I want. Stamina did build up pretty fast once I started consistently using it

I just got my elliptical like 2 or 3 weeks ago, and the first time I did it I lasted like 5-10 mins haha. I now can go for like 30 mins. But my knees are KILLING me I've got long legs and my strides aren't long enough.