How well do Elliptical Machines really work?

**theatrain** · May 9th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I got sick of the treadmill and stair stepper yesterday, so I decided to try out the elliptical machine. I couldn't believe my eyes when after 45minutes on it with the fat loss option chosen, I burned 550+ calories?

At first the machine seemed very easy to use, after 20minutes it was a bit harder, I wasn't pouring sweat, but I was sweating a decent amount. Anyway, 45minutes on the treadmill never gets me to almost 600 calories burned and it feels like a way harder workout. So how well do these ellipticals actually work for fat loss?

**A1food4U** · May 9th, 2008, 11:47 AM

can't say that the calorie counter is correct or not but I can speeak on the machine itself. All elipticals work the same but the spacing, arc and resistence are different. After my last knee surgery I couldn't run and for the most part still don't. I've had 45% of the miniscus removed from a bad tear and the shock of jogging is very painful. I gave up on that type of cardio and put on the pounds. Since finding this sight I have been inspired to try again to get that six pack back. Part of this was to shop elipticals, they are much easier on the knee joints. about 8 #'s off so far in about six weeks.

I think mine works for me, probalbly because as it doesn't strain my knee I use it often. Just my two cents worth....

**mooshue** · May 9th, 2008, 01:05 PM

crank the resistance, and if it has it, the height up on that fucker, youll feel it a lot more.
You are using all 4 limbs with the elliptical against resistance where as only legs on a treadmill.
Im not saying one is better than the other, i do both so my body doesnt get used to any 1 thing.

I wouldnt really rely on the calorie counters on any machine, they dont take anything into affect like lean mass, fat%, its all calculated on whatever weight you put in, speed, resistance etc.. of the machine, not you.

**theatrain** · May 9th, 2008, 03:37 PM

Thanks.

I've been trying to lean up and shed some of this fat. Completely got rid of things like pizza, and have been doing 30-45min of treadmill work but nothing has changed really. dropped a couple of pounds but body fat% says the same.

Just this week I was thinking maybe I'm taking in my carbs too late at night, because sometimes before bed I grab a Gatorade and a couple things to snack on while I watch TV and lay in bed.

Since Monday I've been trying to get most of my carbs in early on and right after my workouts, also I've tried new cardio equipment like stair stepper and the elliptical thats why I was asking about the elliptical, it seems too easy to be burning any fat, but my HR is at 65% of maximum HR, and the calorie section said I burned almost 600 so I figured it probably is doing something, but wasnt quite sure how great of a fat burning tool it is

**JoeBAR** · May 9th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theatrain

Thanks.

I've been trying to lean up and shed some of this fat. Completely got rid of things like pizza, and have been doing 30-45min of treadmill work but nothing has changed really. dropped a couple of pounds but body fat% says the same.

Just this week I was thinking maybe I'm taking in my carbs too late at night, because sometimes before bed I grab a Gatorade and a couple things to snack on while I watch TV and lay in bed.

Since Monday I've been trying to get most of my carbs in early on and right after my workouts, also I've tried new cardio equipment like stair stepper and the elliptical thats why I was asking about the elliptical, it seems too easy to be burning any fat, but my HR is at 65% of maximum HR, and the calorie section said I burned almost 600 so I figured it probably is doing something, but wasnt quite sure how great of a fat burning tool it is

Drop the carb down to PWO shake only as far as fast carbs are concerned. you dont really need more than 1 (slow)carb+prot a day beside your PWO, and breakfast aint it unless you work out in the morning. Check you calories tho, you need to stay around (need - 500) ...

slow carb: low glicemic index (not rice, potatoes ... wholemeal, brown rice, etc...)
fast carbs: white rice/bread, sugars, dextrose, sweets, gatorade, etc...

Remember: carb + prot, fat + prot, no fat + carb. As for Gatorde, if you have Gatorade, you aint on a diet

**theatrain** · May 9th, 2008, 08:03 PM

I'm not sure if I understand you. So my only carbs have should come from my pwo meal? I don't use shakes right now.

Here, how about I type out a typical diet and maybe u could offer some tips

9am - 4 egg whites/1yolk
Bowl of regular unflavored oats

12pm - sandwich (peanutbutter or turky with lettuce, always on 100% wheat) trailmix

Workout at 4:00pm, immediatley after I have a bagel or toast with peanut butter on it, sometimes a 100% whey shake currently I'm out of it

I go take my shower, then I come back to the kitchen and make 2-3 chicken breasts and rice or green beans or corn w.e I feel like. Also a glass of milk,by this time its like 8pm then maybe around 9 I sometimes will eat w.e was left of my dinner or just grab something quick like fruit.

I think the major thing hurting me was the snacks before bedtime and my binging on the weekends with my friends not caring what i eat