AnonymousCoworker

23 Responses to “Elliptical Trainer Feedback please”

1. 1 Luck O' the Irish
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:00 pm

   Depends. I have an Eclipse 1100 HR/A model. I like it a lot. My friend just got the Nordic Track AutoStrider one and man, it’s humongous…probably a good 5.5 ft long (the ELLIPTICAL…gawd). She likes it, but it doesn’t measure distance in miles or km. It only counts total strides. Mine measures distance, but not total strides.

   Try going to Dicks (THE STORE….) and seeing the different models there. Sears also has some.

2. 2 mokiejovis
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

   Use the tubesnet to buy one, or local classifieds.

3. 3 Jess
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:39 pm

   I don’t even have room in my house for a dishwasher, so I’m afraid I can’t comment on the purchase of an elliptical trainer machine. But they are fun, aren’t they?

   Now, if you ever have questions involving siding or roofing or tardy contractors, I’m happy to contribute with confidence.

4. 4 Jules
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:40 pm

   Wouldn’t you rather get a dog? And then go running together with said dog? I think that would be hella more fun.

5. 5 Poppy
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:40 pm

   I’ve used the Orbitrek and my feet slide all around because there is just a huge rectangle to place your feet on. I hurt my back using it, so don’t recommend it. If you can find one that straps your feet in I’d say go for that!

6. 6 Malnurtured Snay
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 2:43 pm

   don’t get a shitty one. oh, and nice way to leave last night - you didn’t even bother to say good bye! ass. [From ACW- Actually, I did say goodbye, and in fact waved and got a wave in return. Just because you were being to Little Miss Social Butterfly to properly recall isn't MY problem.]

7. 7 Lori
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 4:05 pm

   They frequently turn into clothes hangers.

8. 8 Glitzy
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 4:18 pm

   Some considerations to think of -
   Do you want the Nordic Track looking ones with arms or without? Usually the ones with the arms don’t have incline options, only resistance options. However give more of a total body workout. The ones without the arms usually have both incline and resistance options and will give more of a hard core and varied lower body work out.

   Precors are very good they have home gym models. If I had the space for one, I’d buy a Precor Elliptical.
   http://www.precor.com/cons/en/efx/

   My current gym has Life Fitness ellipticals that I’m not sold on yet. They give a decent workout but the model they have doesn’t report back the calories you’re burning per hour the way Precors do. I’m just compulsive about stuff like that I guess.

9. 9 Glitzy
   Jan 25th, 2007 at 4:20 pm

   Just realized I mis typed. The Life Fitness model at my gym does report calories burned per hour. It’s the calories per minute feature that’s missing.

10. 10 P'nut
    Jan 25th, 2007 at 6:45 pm

    Forget the elliptical… buy a Gazelle instead. Waaaay more fun.

11. 11 vitra
    Jan 25th, 2007 at 9:21 pm

    Elliptical trainer, one of the more modern of torture devices. All the rave in California since we’re too lazy to actually go outside into our beautiful smoggy air and traffic-clogged freeways. Often used where one can store clothes or that errant panty that was flung in a passionate moment. However, if you buy the one that costs more than California’s deficit it would be worth it, being since it would isolate and work just about every muscle in your lower body. You could also purchase the one that has you pump your arms back and forth like a monkey furiously trying to escape Tarzan in the rainforest and attempt to get an upper body workout, but if you’re like me, you’ll just be using those things to move the foot paddles back and forth because you’re so damn worn out from actually doing excersize it defeats the purpose. My suggestion is just to actually get out where you have some hills and speed-walk. That is, if you’re not worried about being mugged.

12. 12 It's Me... Maven
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 12:12 am

    The husband got me one of those for my first birthday after we got married… I’ve used it twice.

13. 13 LiSh
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 3:58 am

    Only comment I’ve got is watch when they start bucking like a bronco.

    One of the girls at my gym somehow managed to fly 3 foot backwards slam into a wall and collapse into a little pile of somewhat bruised flubberiness.

    Not a good look (and people wonder why I was hesitating to jump right on!)

14. 14 deanne
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 4:50 am

    Don’t waste your money ACW! Take up running instead - it gets you outside, and is a better cardio/fatburning workout (with the variations on the routes you can take, and grass/track/road running working you in different ways).

15. 15 Hanmee
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 8:22 am

    I like the running ideas as well, though I’m a terrible runner. Even fast walking is good and won’t be so hard on the knees.

    If you actually have room for this crazy gym equipment, I’d recommend a pilates platform machine (available for a good price via QVC or HSN - forget which one). I don’t know if you’ve tried pilates before, but I got that machine and I actually used it (don’t have it anymore - it’s a horrible story), and every single movement I made, I could feel in my abs. You get the resistance, and depending on your exertion or speed, you get cardio and you are working the abs on every point.

    Sorry don’t have any input for ellipticals since I just use the ones they carry at the gym. As a user, the only advice I have is make sure you try them out because I have noticed with some brands more than others, my knees will easily hit a part of the machine more often.

16. 16 Andrew
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 8:44 am

    Screw an elliptical trainer. Go for a ROM Machine instead. After you sell a kidney, of course. (Or a testicle - how much are those worth?)

17. 17 Stick
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 9:14 am

    Dude, fu*k it. You’re married. What do you care? She ain’t going anywhere.

    Unless of course, you get fat.

    Fatty.

18. 18 Anonymous Coworker
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 9:26 am

    Stick- HA!

19. 19 trinity67
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    You’re on your own - I hate excercise.

20. 20 stella del mare
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 2:03 pm

    I love Precor!

21. 21 NPR Junky
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 9:02 pm

    ACW, I totally think you should get a huge hamster wheel in your living room. Then Wookie and Sherlock would also get exercise, while trying to take you out while you spin. So, in all seriousness, it would serve three different purposes: 1) you’d get exercise 2) your cats would, too 3) your friends/family would be amused for HOURS.

22. 22 Karla
    Jan 26th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

    I’m an instructor at 24 Hour Fitness, so normally I’d go into a lot of detail about which one to buy and how much to spend and what to look for, but considering you’re just going to do what EVERYONE does and use it twice, then let it gather dust for 2 years before selling it in a classified ad for $100 bucks, my advice is just buy the cheapest one you find. That way you won’t be quite AS bitter when you finally give in and sell it.

    Better advice: Get a gym membership. Then go. Every day.

23. 23 Mercy Jones
    Jan 29th, 2007 at 12:44 am

    I’m with Karla - nothing motivates you to get your ass out - then paying out the ass for a gym membership. I finally caved for Christmas and I go every day!!!!