My birthday is coming up and I'm thinking of asking for an eliptical machine for my home. We're too far from a gym for me to be able to commit going regularly (especially with gas prices what they are). Those of you who have used an eliptical...can you tell me if you like it more or less than just a regular walking program....and why?
I love the eliptical workout, I feel like it burns more calories and is a good supplement to a walking program, it is advisable to get an eliptical machine that utilizes your arms too maximize caloric burn. Walking is still a good way to get out and enjoy nature, but it is better to do both of these to mix up the muscles used and prevent burnout
I LOVE the elliptical. I wish I had one at home since I no longer belong to a gym. I'm 99% sure it burns more calories than walking since even the little automatic calorie counters on the elliptical say they burn way more than the treadmill (I know those aren't accurate calorie amounts for everyone, but I'm assuming they are at least comparable to one another, therefore, meaning the elliptical will burn more for anyone, even if it's not the exact number as shown on the machine).
The elliptical is also much lower impact, so if you've got any ankle or knee issues, it's a much better choice than walking alone. You can still increase the resistance and speed just like you can increase the incline and speed of your walking to continue to challenge you as you become more fit. I've even seen ellipticals that fold up a bit for easier storage if you don't have a lot of room.
I have tried and tried to like the elliptical, but I just can't. Minutes seem like hours to me on that thing. I find that I get bored fastest on the elliptical and bike - I don't get bored quite as fast on the treadmill (I alternate walking with running) and I get least bored walking/running outdoors, but that gets a little hard on my knees and feet if I do it too much. I see other folks on the ellipticals at the gym and they seem to like it better than the other machines. I guess to each their own.
I love the eliptical machine! I want one at home too. I have a gazelle at home and I work on it sometimes at night and then do the eliptical at the gym, I am sure if I had one at home I would still go to the gym but then I could at least still do it home when I want too, and I don't have to drive 15 miles to do it, or find a sitter.
I avioded the gym before at all costs but this past year I got going to the one at my university and feel in love with the eliptical... I'm not a huge walking fan, except when I'm home with my dogs... but I really enjoy using an eliptical. I found it energizing, easy and a great way to workout. Start out slow and build up your time and speed, about a month after starting I was able to use it a whole hour! I really miss it now that I'm home on summer break.. and back to just walking. Enjoy!
I love the elliptical! I used to use it at the Y. It was an amazing workout. I worked muscles I wouldn't ordinarily use (like when I'm lying in bed eating a bowl of chips), and I felt very "cool" and powerful when I was on it.
I highly recommend the elliptical too. It was the only cardio machine I used during the year that I was losing weight. I have arthritis in my knees and walking/running hurts but the elliptical is perfect since there's no impact.
Like the other posters said, start slow and you'll be surprised at how quickly you build endurance. I went from feeling like I was going to have a stroke after 20 minutes to a hour daily. It's still my favorite cardio and I do at least a half hour every day (the other half hour I usually bike).
I personally like walking better, but if you are looking for something for you home then i would go with the elliptical, cuz, well, you can walk outside. I do like the elliptical, and I find that it is a tougher workout. Plus you can change things up by using the settings on the machine...like cross-train in the reverse or pulling/pushing ect...and then if you need a change, walk outside.
I really like my exercise bike. I sit here and watch tv or like right now chatting on MSN and on the site. The time flies, I break a good sweat but dont get sore (well my bum does). I had a treadmill here but stopped using it when I hurt my kness and switched the bike, I noticed my weight lose picked up at that point too.
I went from feeling like I was going to have a stroke after 20 minutes to a hour daily. It's still my favorite cardio and I do at least a half hour every day (the other half hour I usually bike).
Gotta have music for it to work though ...
OMG, Meg, just shows the kind of shape you were in when you started it -- when I first tried the elliptical I wanted to DIE after 3 MINUTES!!!!! Heck, maybe it was 2!!!!
Now I love using it at the gym and can easily go over 30 minutes. I wish I did it there more often (I'm more likely to do cardio on my home treadmill...)
I'm with you with the music, though. I love when I get a great song and just start motoring on it!
I love the elliptical too, but there is a lot to be said for weight bearing exercise. If I was going to buy just one machine, it would be the elliptical because you can walk outside. You didn't mention an exercise bike, but you can usually pick those up cheap second hand. It is good to mix it up as different activities challenge your body in different ways.
The biggest thing is to have a tv, something to read or music because as others have mentioned, it can be boring, and then you are going to get unmotivated fast!
I love the elliptical too, but there is a lot to be said for weight bearing exercise.
I'm confused...isn't the elliptical a weight bearing exercise? Isn't a weight bearing exercise just anything where you have to hold yourself up? So, for example, a recumbent bike would not be a weight bearing exercise because the bulk of your weight is sitting in the seat, but I would think the elliptical is. Am I wrong or confused or missing something (I admit, it does happen occasionally )?
I prefer the elliptical for its low impact, and I consider it to be a weight-bearing exercise, just one that doesn't jar my poor aging knees. I echo the need for music though. I set up playlists on my MP3 player for the length of time I plan to go. Couple of slower songs for warm-up, some increasingly fast one for the actual aerobics, and more mellow for the cool-down. I have a few that I really like when I'm doing a HIIT workout. Another thing I like is that I can close my eyes and kind of "zone out" the rest of the gym without losing my balance. Can't do that walking - but I do enjoy walking outdoors too.
I'm confused...isn't the elliptical a weight bearing exercise? Isn't a weight bearing exercise just anything where you have to hold yourself up? So, for example, a recumbent bike would not be a weight bearing exercise because the bulk of your weight is sitting in the seat, but I would think the elliptical is. Am I wrong or confused or missing something (I admit, it does happen occasionally )?
Jill -- I had the exact same question and the exact same reasoning!
Walking vs. Eliptical
It was the only cardio machine I used during the year that I was losing weight. I have arthritis in my knees and walking/running hurts but the elliptical is perfect since there's no impact. 
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