Cunfused on proper elliptical technique - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

MachOneMustang · 07-09-2003, 09:20 PM

Hey Guys.

I have an elliptical machine. I've re-started my exercising (due to a previous burnout), and want to do it right this time. I have been doing the routine for about a week now and its going great.

My machine has intensity settings, or resistance levels. Of the 10 settings (1 = no resistance), I run with it at 4 most of the time. My average speed remains around 15-20mph and I conclude running after 10min.

The problem lies here: I feel it getting harder for me to do this, which may be the result of not taking any days off. You see, my philosophies never want to "space things out," or take breaks. I want to do everything right now now now, and see those results! AKA, burnout... so this is why THIS time I will change, but I'm not sure where to start.

Are ellipticals supposed to be "hard" to do during the exercise? Or is it supposed to be more easy to do. In other words... should I have to be struggling and such like weight trainning? Or should it be easy going? Heh, guys I'm really lost so please help.

What exactly IS the "proper" way to exercise? Low resistance at longer times? Or high resistance at a lower time. Pedal fast? Slow? Vary speed/resistance? Does it depend on what I'm trying to achieve??? Ugh... please help.

Naxis · 07-10-2003, 10:31 AM

Are ellipticals supposed to be "hard" to do during the exercise? Or is it supposed to be more easy to do. In other words... should I have to be struggling and such like weight trainning? Or should it be easy going? Heh, guys I'm really lost so please help.

What exactly IS the "proper" way to exercise? Low resistance at longer times? Or high resistance at a lower time. Pedal fast? Slow? Vary speed/resistance? Does it depend on what I'm trying to achieve??? Ugh... please help.

It really depends on what you want to do. Just keep this in mind. You can work hard or long, but not both. If you're using a resistance that is really hard to maintain for more than 20 or 30 minutes, it's too much and you're not getting much cardio benefit or fat burning. Intensity varies from machine to machine, but I use a resistance that I can keep a fairly high speed (75-85 rpm) for about an hour. If I want a shorter session I will up the resistance or increase speed. But you don't want it to be so easy that you're barely breathing hard. Heart rate is the best way to gauge the workout based on goals or how you feel for the day. Try a search on TARGET HEART RATE and you will get a slew of info. If you start to get fatigued, just take a day off or do somehting light. Usually the first day of cardio after a break of a week or more is the hardest for me, but endurance builds fast. After a week, I can pull an hour without killing myself. There isn't a "right" way really. It is dependant on your goals.

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Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins

[This message has been edited by Naxis (edited 07-10-2003).]

chopstix_gal · 07-10-2003, 11:36 AM

depends what you are trying to do, but you need to do at least 20 minutes unless it's purely a warm up for some other activity.

if you want some cardio/muscle tone benefit, it should be at a good resistance that will still work your muscles a little. this will tire you, so u might not be able to get more than 40 mins.

if you want only cardio, you can put it at moderate intensity and go for much longer.