[teacher1]

My DB just bought a Precor ellitpical for Xmas. It's being delivered on 12/24. My question is anyone using an ellitpical to workout on? Any great results or pointers for this equipment? I got all excited a few weeks ago about our new treadmill and ended up hurting my foot. I'm trying not to hurt myself on the elliptical. Thanks

[Meg]

A Precor?! You are so lucky!!! Those are the best, in my opinion.

Great results on the elliptical? Hm, I lost 122 pounds in a year using an elliptical as my ONLY cardio. And it's what I still do every day to maintain my loss.

As for pointers, the biggest mistake people make is to push with their toes instead of through their heels and then they end up with plantar fascitis and other injuries. Think of the power coming from your heels. Use all the incline and decline settings to work different muscle groups and go forward and backwards. Then once you're comfortable on it, start throwing in sprint intervals that really elevate your heartrate. Interval training is much better for fat burning than steady state cardio.

And have fun!

[SunshineRunner]

I started using an elliptical @ my gym in May 2007. I lost 3lbs in 3 months. I changed my diet along with my elliptical workout (which was generally 30 minutes at lowest resistance as I just wasn't strong enough yet) and have since lost 35lbs since end of September 2007. Elliptical is my only cardio as I get shin splints on the treadmill. I know use it for about 65 minutes and do interval training the entire time at different (and much higher) resistance levels. Definitely pay attention to where you are pushing off from like Meg stated - my toes used to get very numb and tingly because I was using them in the beginning. I also follow up my cardio with weight training - but as far as ellipticals go - they are the best cardio in my opinion! Good luck and enjoy!

[teacher1]

Meg and Gatoramanda thank you for your replies and suggestions. I can’t wait to get my elliptical

[Heather]

Just a warning - some people take a while to get used to them. I started on a treadmill and when I first tried an elliptical I couldn't even do it for 2 minutes! It took a little while, but now I love it!!!

Enjoy!!

[Nori71]

I do an hour almost every day that I exercise. Sometimes only 30 minutes if others are waiting. I LOVE it. It is the only machine I can really push myself on without my knees paying for it later. I switch up the programs so I don't get bored. My favorite by far is the interval training one. When it is at the lower crossramp level I go fast (180-200 RMP) at a level 5-6 resistance for the interval (3-5 minutes depending on how long I'm set to go) and then when it switches to the higher crossramp interval I drop the RMP's to around 130, but up the resistance to 15. And of course I switch up the directions going both forward and backwards. Good music really helps also! I get an AWESOME workout on it no matter what program I choose, but this is my favorite!

[teacher1]

Thanks Heather and Nori for your pointers. I get my machine on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

[teacher1]

A few set up issues, a bolt was missing but today everything was fixed. I got a great 30 minutes on it.

[Nori71]

It's great, isn't it? I'm jealous that you have one all to yourself. Enjoy!

[lostchick]

I had a hard time getting used to it. Then going backwards was really weird. I haven't been able to get back to it, but it was a good workout.

[fidget555]

Oh wow you have the best piece of equipment in my opinion! I would receommend...like heather...that you start out slow! I also could barely do 3 mins when I first stepped on there and then after a few weeks it was nothing to do a 45 min workout on there. I lost 40 pounds in 3 months...

Just try to make it a part of your rountine...good luck!

[BassAckwards]

HELP! I always end up with tingly toes after I get done! How do you use your feet? lol I'm not sure how to "push" with my heels.

[tomandkara]

Put your weight in your heels, stand up straight and don't lean forward or on the arm things. If you push with your heels, you'll feel it more in the backs of your legs.

Hope that helps!

Kara

[Nori71]

I go through phases with this also/still. I do the elliptical for an hour 5 times a week and most days I can breeze through the workout but other times I'm dying at 30 minutes with "foot issues". Tingly toes, achy arches and all. I notice this especially when I put the crossramp way up, have the resistance up past 13 and have been going forward for too long. It's just too much pressure pressure on the balls of your feet and you cut off the circulation to the toes. Things that help me avoid this are:

• Make sure toe box is wide enough on my shoes
• Keeping my laces loose (because our feet swell while exercising)
• Visualizing my back side getting stronger and firmer helps me keep the right position and pushing from my heels.
• Always change direction for a couple minutes when I feel the tinglies coming on. It subsides plus I work my muscles differently.
• Wiggling my toes often seems to help...before they start to tingle, I mean.