Eliptical trainer.... quality training device or expensive cloths hanger?

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Running is brutal on your joints.

Maybe not.

http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...948208,00.html

I'm not an expert but I do think running gets a way worse reputation than it deserves.

[Kybosh]

Just to add fuel to the fire: If running isn't an option, walking is perfectly fine exercise. A 5 kilometre walk will burn about 3/4 the amount of calories as a 5 kilometre jog. If everyone in the country went for a walk a couple of hours per week I bet that obesity would be much rarer.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Just to add fuel to the fire: If running isn't an option, walking is perfectly fine exercise. A 5 kilometre walk will burn about 3/4 the amount of calories as a 5 kilometre jog. If everyone in the country went for a walk a couple of hours per week I bet that obesity would be much rarer.

Does it really? Walking 4K is so much easier than running 3K.

I started to run 3K a day now. Trying to get it up to 6 by doing the same run in the morning and at night.

[onetwo_threefour]

I hate running and get sore shins and winded easily when running. Even as a kid/teenager I was good with explosive/power activities that required sprinting and short bursts of intensity but couldn't run distance to save my life. I would never get as good a workout running because I would never stick to it. I can't start off getting a good workout because I don't have running endurance even though I can push hard on the elliptical for an hour or go biking for 2+ hours without a problem. So running for me is not in the cards even though my wife does it.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

I hate running and get sore shins and winded easily when running. Even as a kid/teenager I was good with explosive/power activities that required sprinting and short bursts of intensity but couldn't run distance to save my life. I would never get as good a workout running because I would never stick to it. I can't start off getting a good workout because I don't have running endurance even though I can push hard on the elliptical for an hour or go biking for 2+ hours without a problem. So running for me is not in the cards even though my wife does it.

I don't really have running endurance either but it's the only thing that works.

With the eliptical, I get bored. And if I'm at a gym or at home trying to stave that off, there is too much incentive to just get off to do something like change the channel or get something to drink, etc. I can't stay on it or stick to it.

If I go running outside, I'm forced to keep going or else I'll never make it home. With a bike, if I am facing a huge upkill climb, I am too tempted to get off and push whereas if you are on foot, it's natural to just keep going.

[MRCboicgy]

I have a bum knee, it locks up after about 7 minutes of light jogging. I can rock the elliptical for 45 minutes before the knee starts to ache and tighten.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Does it really? Walking 4K is so much easier than running 3K.

I started to run 3K a day now. Trying to get it up to 6 by doing the same run in the morning and at night.

It sure does.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Running is brutal on your joints.

Lots of studies are showing that its actually beneficial.

No I'm not going to go look them up either. I read it a while ago and have no idea how I would search for it. Plus I'm too lazy.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

It sure does.

Interesting article. The other point that they mention in there is that you can run more miles in a shorter period of time than you can walk them. For me it is about getting a decent workout in even though I don't have a lot of free time, so running is much more efficient for a given time period (4 times more Net calories burned per time period compared to walking, according to the article).

I wonder how the elliptical compares. I like the elliptical, and we have one at home that I use (only for women, what a joke). I have found that it allows me to elevate my heart rate higher with a less fatigued feeling than when running, I assume because you are using both arms and legs instead of focusing all the energy usage on just one muscle group.

And since I do a fair bit of running and sports as well, I am quite happy to give my knees some breaks with a lower impact workout.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Interesting article. The other point that they mention in there is that you can run more miles in a shorter period of time than you can walk them. For me it is about getting a decent workout in even though I don't have a lot of free time, so running is much more efficient for a given time period (4 times more Net calories burned per time period compared to walking, according to the article).

I wonder how the elliptical compares. I like the elliptical, and we have one at home that I use (only for women, what a joke). I have found that it allows me to elevate my heart rate higher with a less fatigued feeling than when running, I assume because you are using both arms and legs instead of focusing all the energy usage on just one muscle group.

And since I do a fair bit of running and sports as well, I am quite happy to give my knees some breaks with a lower impact workout.

I know what you mean. I walk to get around (I walk about 6 km/day anyway) but do other things as "exercise". However, from a pure caloric argument, walking is pretty good exercise.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Azure

Lots of studies are showing that its actually beneficial.

No I'm not going to go look them up either. I read it a while ago and have no idea how I would search for it. Plus I'm too lazy.

It's can be beneficial to some people. For many others, such as myself with flat feet, it is brutal on my joints, shins, and back. Every time I have tried to get into regular running, I end up with a chronic injury that sets me back by many months if not years.

Most urban running occurs on concrete, which is especially brutal.

The eliptical also burns more calories than running. It can be done in front of the TV too.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by blankall

It's can be beneficial to some people. For many others, such as myself with flat feet, it is brutal on my joints, shins, and back. Every time I have tried to get into regular running, I end up with a chronic injury that sets me back by many months if not years.

Most urban running occurs on concrete, which is especially brutal.

The eliptical also burns more calories than running. It can be done in front of the TV too.

Don't get me wrong, as I think biking, ellipticals and rowing machines are a very decent alternative to those people who can't run or have weak joints.

But too many people seem to have bought into the 'running is hard on your joints' myth and they're perfectly healthy. If you have a pre-existing condition with your knees, or feet...of course it will be a problem.

But for the health individual without any problems running won't hurt them. Like anything else you have to have proper equipment and proper form.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I know what you mean. I walk to get around (I walk about 6 km/day anyway) but do other things as "exercise". However, from a pure caloric argument, walking is pretty good exercise.

Most doctors seem to recommend 30-60 min of active activity per day. You're obviously getting so much more. Which is great.

I try to walk more, get out more, do more things that keep me active. Obviously sitting in front of a computer prohibits me from doing that all the time.

I find that if you just make the conscious effort to me more active(stairs instead of elevator type deal)...its easier to stay healthy and keep the weight off. Course, diet plays a big part in that too.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by blankall

It's can be beneficial to some people. For many others, such as myself with flat feet, it is brutal on my joints, shins, and back. Every time I have tried to get into regular running, I end up with a chronic injury that sets me back by many months if not years.

Most urban running occurs on concrete, which is especially brutal.

The eliptical also burns more calories than running. It can be done in front of the TV too.

I think a lot of the argument (as this one gets pretty intense from treadmill vs elliptical people) is that runners generally run outside whereas elliptical can't.

Treadmill users that run outside are usually using the treadmill for winter substitution. So when they think to compare the two, obviously running wins.

From everything I've seen they're about the same. Or the treadmill wins. A lot of the comparisons though can give a speed on the treadmill but not on the elliptical. Or they say "at the same perceived effort"

Although ellipticals can provide a great workout, their smooth, comfortable motion actually works against them when it comes to forcing the body to absorb impact, resist rotation, and other factors that all add up to increased caloric expenditure.

Here are some comparative statistics on a treadmill vs. elliptical:
Ex: 180lb person completing 45 minutes of work
Elliptical – 441.8 calories burned
Treadmill – 675 calories burned (9 minute mile pace)

The winning argument is which one are YOU going to do.

[Hack&Lube]

The real question here is:

Are you an Ivan Drago? Or are you a Rocky Balboa? Rocky wakes up at the crack of dawn and runs outside, even in the snow in the dead of winter. Ivan Drago uses treadmills and steppers and would use elipticals if they were around in the 80s.

Rocky won in that movie.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Azure

Don't get me wrong, as I think biking, ellipticals and rowing machines are a very decent alternative to those people who can't run or have weak joints.

But too many people seem to have bought into the 'running is hard on your joints' myth and they're perfectly healthy. If you have a pre-existing condition with your knees, or feet...of course it will be a problem.

But for the health individual without any problems running won't hurt them. Like anything else you have to have proper equipment and proper form.

Running injuries are extremely common. Considering to get any value out of running you really have to do it regulary. At minimum twice a week.

The idea that healthy people will not develop injuries from running is BS. Plenty of healthy people develop running injuries all the time.

You only get one set of joints. If you want to wear them out by repeatedly pounding your feet on cement, be my guest. Telling people that they won't get an injury from running if they are healthy and use good form is irresponsible. Running injuries are most certainly not a myth.

Originally Posted by Wookie

I think a lot of the argument (as this one gets pretty intense from treadmill vs elliptical people) is that runners generally run outside whereas elliptical can't.

Treadmill users that run outside are usually using the treadmill for winter substitution. So when they think to compare the two, obviously running wins.

From everything I've seen they're about the same. Or the treadmill wins. A lot of the comparisons though can give a speed on the treadmill but not on the elliptical. Or they say "at the same perceived effort"




The winning argument is which one are YOU going to do.

I do agree that the winning argument is which one are you going to do.

However, the numbers you've cited are BS. What speed was the person running? What setting was the machine at? What brand of machine etc..?

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Wookie

A lot of the comparisons though can give a speed on the treadmill but not on the elliptical. Or they say "at the same perceived effort"

Originally Posted by blankall

\

However, the numbers you've cited are BS. What speed was the person running? What setting was the machine at? What brand of machine etc..?

Miss that part?

[flamesfan6]

Speaking of knee injuries, anyone ever get like pinching in your kneecap area when you walk? It is more so on downhill and down stairs but it is starting to do it on flat.

Weird thing is, this doesn't happen when I go running.

Onto this subject, I'd prefer running, I tune into my ipod, go outside and scenery changes with the run, while if you are inside on a machine, you just look at a wall

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If you bought a barely used almost new one on kijiji...it was probably a really good investment.

I bought a SportsArt E82 off of Kijiji. I paid $700 and it was a year and a half old. The original owner paid $2200 for it.


I did some research on the unit and all the reviews were quite positive.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Sport...t_154727779972

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I bought a SportsArt E82 off of Kijiji. I paid $700 and it was a year and a half old. The original owner paid $2200 for it.


I did some research on the unit and all the reviews were quite positive.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Sport...t_154727779972

That looks awesome. I looked on Kijiji when I bought mine in Februaryish 2009, but pickings were slim then for whatever reason. I ended up going with a Tunturi (sp?) model that has been good. It's creakier and squeekier now than it was when I bought it, but I use it six days/week so I don't expect it to be perfect. It was an ~$1100 unit, but I think I got it on sale for ~$700 from that exercise place in Deerfoot Mall.