ok.. so I have vowed myself to 1 hour of cardio everyday.. I switch between 30 mins on the eliptical and then 30 mins on this known machine that is like a cross breed between an elliptical and a stair stepper. Anyways.. makes me soooo flippin tired I think I may die. But my sweat really isnt up to par.

However , when I go in and do 15 mins on the elliptical, 15 mins on the bike, 15 on the crossbreed and 15 on the treadmill ( 1 min sprints, followed by 2 min rests 3.5mph, repeat) I give each and every exercise full momento and I sweat like nobodys business.

Its almost like when I do the 2 machines for a long extended time, not only do I get bored but I get so tired that I dont try as hard... anyone have any insight on this??

By god.. 36 views and no response yet.. hmm.. maybe I would get better results, posting this were it doesnt belong... such as support..

I'll respond, but I have no answer for you. I know nothing about it. I viewed because the title of the thread looked like something that might be interesting, or that I might know something about or learn something about.

If you look around, you'll see that most threads get many times more views than responses. Don't take lack of responses as lack of interest.

Is the hybrid machine you refer to by any chance a Cybex? My old gym had these fantastic Cybex machines that completely kicked my butt. I miss it!!! One day when I have made my fortune and own my own house, I'm going to buy one of the Cybex arc trainers to use at home.

I tend to get bored doing 45 minutes on one machine (the elliptical is my fave), but I mostly do that anyway--though I will sometimes will mix it up with the treadmill. The important thing is to do what works for you and keeps you engaged. If you'd rather do 15 minutes on 4 machines, go ahead and do it that way! I'd guess you find it easier to work up a good sweat by mixing up the machines because different machines work your muscles differently, so you'd be able to keep up a higher level of intensity without fatiguing your muscles with the same movement over and over and over.

I think by constantly changing it around, you are invigorated and can give it intensity for 5 minutes much easier than doing your 30/30's.

My gosh - I've not seen you around here yet and I see you've los a TON of weigh!! Congrats - that's awesome! Where do you normally post (which threads) and do you have your success story posted anywhere???

The more you can mix up your cardio, the better. Do different machines, do them in a different order each time, and change the intensity and other settings (for example, walk on a steep incline on the treadmill on one day, run at a low incline on another day, and do sprints at no incline on another day). Consider running outside one day a week, swimming, or bicycling. I have a personal trainer and he is always after me to change my cardio routine. If you do the same thing over and over again, your body adjusts to it and it isn't as effective. So, setting aside your initial question about getting tried when using one machine for a long time, I think you are better off doing 15 min on three different machines anyway.

I definitely find that trying to do one machine for a long time is harder than doing several different machines in shorter time increments, but I can't say why. I'm not sure if it is just mental boredom or if it really is physically harder. The only machine I ever do for more than 15 min is the elliptical and 25 min is the longest I last on that (any longer and I can't feel my toes in my left foot ).

Hmmmm....Thats a good idea, i get bored very easily doin 30 to 40 minutes straight on one machine....at least if i mix up i will actually do my full 30-40 minutes instead of cheating and stoping at like 20-25minutes.

Thanks Ready2shed, and Barbara!

No insight into your "why" question, but I use a couple of different cardio machines during a workout. I've done an hour rowing, an hour elliptical and an hour on the treadmill (different days, of course), but it was such an effort. Maybe the boredom factor makes you more tired? Now I do 35 minutes on one machine, and 25 on another, although I don't mind running on the treadmill for 35 min., walking a bit, then doing sprints to get the full hour. The rowing machine is hardest for me to do more than 15-20 min.--my butt gets sore! And I also get the numb feet on the elliptical after about 40 min. so that's a good reason not to spend an entire 60 min. on that one.

hey all! new to the board
i do 30 min on the elliptical and 30 on another machine (treadmill, stairmaster,etc) and i really enjoy it. I work my *** on both machines so i work up a great deal of sweat..
it probaly just depends on the person

On one machine the whole time you're using the same set(s) of muscles in the same way continuously. Switch machines, something else gets used. It's like being able to run 3 miles but not 13.

I do 15 minute circuits too, otherwise i get bored, and Im thinking as long as your moving and getting that heart rate up it doesnt really matter!!!

Im not from Savannah.. I am from NC, but Im moving back to Savannah next month to be with my fiancee, we originially moved down there last year when he got a different job

My reason for asking was I didnt know if there was something "scientifically hindering" by doing one specific movement for only 15 mins, then switching muscle groups or maybe if it was actually better for you because you are working different muscle groups to keep your body guessing

I usually post in support. As you can see by this thread I am impatient lol so I try to stick with the forums that are very chatty I dont have a success story posted.. I swear I have some before and after pics posted.. I will dig them up for ya. My "success" story would be more like a novel, because I have always been overweight, and I would lose 10-20 here and there... get comfortable and then not lose for a while. SO my weight loss took about 5 years lol, and even then.. the last 20 didnt go away bringing me to a size "accepted by society" as "not fat" until about 2 years ago when I drastically changed my diet and got a gym membership. I am heavy for my height but Im smaller than you would think at 160 and 5'4.