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Elliptical Training to get fit.Elliptical Training to get fit.
pixiechic said: "this type of training has a lot of benefits if you do it consistently. it will help to to tone and shape your body. especially your legs. you use all of your leg muscles to do this exercise, so it targets your quadriceps and your gluteus maximus. aka your butt!"
pixiechic said: "depending on the elliptical trainer you are using, some of them have different settings that allow you to 'target' muscle groups. the way the ramp is positioned makes a big difference in what group is targeted. if the ramp is high, it gets your behind and your thighs, if it is lower it targets more of your whole leg."
SuperWmn said: "I thought I loved using the treadmill but the eliptical rocks!! Yesterday in 25 minutes I burned 360.6 calories @ about 116-120 strides!! It's awesome...now to increase my caloric intake a little bit... Im sitting at just over 1000 today...working on that still!"
featherish said: "Using an elliptical trainer is one of the safest ways to get started on an exercise program.
Elliptical machines don't cause impact on your knees so it is ideal for just about anyone. It uses movements from hiking, cross country skiing, and stair stepping to work your legs and burn calories. (Around 10 calories per minute of use) You can jog without causing damage or pain in your knees and hips."
Heather said: "Keep it up and it will be up to a half an hour in no time.
Does it have moveable arms as well? Those are really hard to do!"
Heather said: "[QUOTE=UniqueMystique]Nope...no arms. I'd probably break my neck with one of those. Hehehehe!!!! I'm having a hard enough time keeping my feet on the platforms as it is now (constant joint popper...especially my ankles...even when I walk). *laughing* I'm sure I'm quite the sight on this thing...but I don't give a rip! At least I'm doing something....RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! :p[/QUOTE]
The gym I go to has 3 with arms, and 4 without.
It is shocking how much harder the arms make it. It is a lot like cross country skiing. I can't go very long on it."
Heather said: "Good job!
Whew... hewwww!"
Heather said: "It always feels great when you can step it up to the next level.
I had karate last night and I'm feeling slightly sore. It seems like last nights class was harder than usual.."
Elaine said: "I think that you can avoid "crazy leg" by doing some full body workouts as well.
Swimming is a really nice exercise that burns calories, and helps to build muscles all over.
Other exercises to consider would be pilates or yoga. All help to target core muscle groups."
Elaine said: "It is sort of fun. Grab your walkman on off you go! At first 10 minutes was kind of hard to do, but I can go at least a half an hour. A lot of times, they are full, so the stationary bikes are my second choice."
Cupcake said: "I take pilates... its a lot of fun, and you definitely get a good stretch. I also take a strength and stretch class where we use resistance bands for our legs. That definitely is great for your legs. Ive been doing both those classes for a few months and I don't have a problem with horse calves (LOL) it keeps them lean but shapely."
cvalh said: "So my problem is, ever since about the fourth grade I've had massive legs. I rode horses for a while, and then in highschool I played ice hockey. The muscles are built up such that I will always have massive legs - I can lose the fat, but the muscles will eventually get toned again. The ellipticle is my favorite machine, because it doesn't stress my bad knee or ankle, but how can I avoid crazy legs?"
cvalh said: "I do the ellipticle on a low resistance setting (i'm after stamina and speed without more muscle in my legs!) for about a half hour a day. I love it!"
UniqueMystique said: "Ok...I was skeptical about the eliptical trainer...but I tried it today for just 5 minutes after my workout. I burned 40 calories on the lowest resistance setting. 5 MINUTES!!!! I AM IMPRESSED!!!! Gonna have to work it into my routine!!!!"
UniqueMystique said: "Whoa! That eliptical trainer can really kick my butt!!! I tried it again this evening for 10 minutes. I sweat like crazy!!! Definitely a new addition to my routine!!!!!"
UniqueMystique said: "Okie Dokie!!! I made it for 15 minutes today!!!
Moving on up!!! Just not on the scales! :D"
UniqueMystique said: "Nope...no arms. I'd probably break my neck with one of those. Hehehehe!!!! I'm having a hard enough time keeping my feet on the platforms as it is now (constant joint popper...especially my ankles...even when I walk). *laughing* I'm sure I'm quite the sight on this thing...but I don't give a rip! At least I'm doing something....RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! :p"
UniqueMystique said: "Yep...I'm only doing it on the low resistance setting and it's kicking my butt!!! Hehehe!!!! But I love it...gives me something to work for."
UniqueMystique said: "I'm in sheer astonishment!!!! I managed 30 minutes today on this monster!!!! *Laughing* I feel absolutely wonderful though. Now the goal is to keep up the 30 minutes. :D"
UniqueMystique said: "30 minutes today at an increased resistance. Went from level 1 to level 5! I'd do a backhandspring...if I knew how! Hehehehe!!!!"
UniqueMystique said: "Hmmmmmm????? I've never seen a horse with thick calves. Thick at the hip area to the knees...but all the horses I've been around have little sticks below the knees. ;) Just teasing with ya....and I understand where you're coming from. :)"
spectrachic311 said: "I love the elliptical machine. I make the workout harder by putting wrist weights on and doing arm press intervals. Lemme tell ya....THAT kicks your butt. I like doing it as a nice break from running; it's a lot easier on my knees."
whateverhobb said: "I also have the problem with the huge leg muscles, they look like horse calves<---I'm not kidding. I heard that pilates or yoga keeps your muscles leaner and longer. Does anyone do Pilates? :rolleyes:"