Elliptical Trainers
- Thread starter Miss Lee
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buffettgirl
Cathlete
I bet Michele has a huge footprint now too, after dropping the elliptical thingy on her foot. Hurry up and decide, Michele. Cardio-time is a wastin!
In all seriousness, I hope your foot is feeling better and a machine helps you enjoy (tolerate?) cardio.
In all seriousness, I hope your foot is feeling better and a machine helps you enjoy (tolerate?) cardio.
Miss Lee
Cathlete
>I bet Michele has a huge footprint now too, after dropping
>the elliptical thingy on her foot. Hurry up and decide,
>Michele. Cardio-time is a wastin!
>In all seriousness, I hope your foot is feeling better and a
>machine helps you enjoy (tolerate?) cardio.
LOL! My foot is better today but you wouldn't know it to look at it. I thought about going over to the store where I had my little accident and showing my foot to the manager. Maybe they'd give me a huge sympathy, please don't sue me discount. Whad'ya think?:7
>the elliptical thingy on her foot. Hurry up and decide,
>Michele. Cardio-time is a wastin!
>In all seriousness, I hope your foot is feeling better and a
>machine helps you enjoy (tolerate?) cardio.
LOL! My foot is better today but you wouldn't know it to look at it. I thought about going over to the store where I had my little accident and showing my foot to the manager. Maybe they'd give me a huge sympathy, please don't sue me discount. Whad'ya think?:7
LauraMax
Cathlete
Another vote here for the arc trainer. Probably it is somewhat less versatile than the elliptical, although you can adjust incline & resistance.
I've tried both & I can't explain exactly why, but I feel like I get a much better workout with the arc trainer, both cardio & toning. Maybe it has something to do with the wide range of motion. But I just can't seem to work up a sweat with the elliptical, while the arc trainer kicks my butt.
Either way, I'm jealous that you're gonna actually have one at home!
I've tried both & I can't explain exactly why, but I feel like I get a much better workout with the arc trainer, both cardio & toning. Maybe it has something to do with the wide range of motion. But I just can't seem to work up a sweat with the elliptical, while the arc trainer kicks my butt.
Either way, I'm jealous that you're gonna actually have one at home!
buffettgirl
Cathlete
Maybe they'd think you were a klutz and not be willing to sell you anything for fear that you'd do even more damage to yourself.
Mckmain
Cathlete
OMG...I didn't know about your foot Michele! I think you should get a discount and if they knew how much you hated cardio I think they would just GIVE you the Elliptical...
....Another reason I picked that Elliptical from Nordic track was because you could fold it up...I have space issues and should be getting it in few days!!!
....Another reason I picked that Elliptical from Nordic track was because you could fold it up...I have space issues and should be getting it in few days!!!
Miss Lee
Cathlete
>OMG...I didn't know about your foot Michele! I think you
>should get a discount and if they knew how much you hated
>cardio I think they would just GIVE you the
>Elliptical.......Another reason I picked that Elliptical
>from Nordic track was because you could fold it up...I have
>space issues and should be getting it in few days!!!
Carol, I should probably explain what happened, especially since you're getting a model that folds.
I went into this fitness store yesterday where I saw a Vision elliptical that folds for storage. The salesperson, who was helping another customer at the time, saw me trying to release the footpedals from the folded position so he called out to me and told me to push the button. Well, I pushed the button and OMG, the footpedals dropped so fast and with such a force that it caught me off guard and one of the pedals landed squarly on my foot. I wanted to cry so bad, but I sucked it up, as Shelley would say, and just made a little joke out of it.
The moral of the story is, be very careful when you go to release the footpedals from a folded position. When I pushed the button I expected to have to manually pull the pedals down. I thought the button would simply serve as a mechanism to unlock them. It never occured to me that they would just fall down by the force of gravity.
Well, at least I know which machine I'm NOT getting--lol!
>should get a discount and if they knew how much you hated
>cardio I think they would just GIVE you the
>Elliptical...
....Another reason I picked that Elliptical>from Nordic track was because you could fold it up...I have
>space issues and should be getting it in few days!!!
Carol, I should probably explain what happened, especially since you're getting a model that folds.
I went into this fitness store yesterday where I saw a Vision elliptical that folds for storage. The salesperson, who was helping another customer at the time, saw me trying to release the footpedals from the folded position so he called out to me and told me to push the button. Well, I pushed the button and OMG, the footpedals dropped so fast and with such a force that it caught me off guard and one of the pedals landed squarly on my foot. I wanted to cry so bad, but I sucked it up, as Shelley would say
, and just made a little joke out of it. The moral of the story is, be very careful when you go to release the footpedals from a folded position. When I pushed the button I expected to have to manually pull the pedals down. I thought the button would simply serve as a mechanism to unlock them. It never occured to me that they would just fall down by the force of gravity.
Well, at least I know which machine I'm NOT getting--lol!
Miss Lee
Cathlete
>I also feel that I get a much more intense workout on the Arc
>Trainer. I have a very difficult time working up a sweat on
>the elliptical - I have to really increase the resistance and
>incline.
>
>I think both machines are boring, though!
>
>Erica
Erica and Laura, do you think you're getting a more intense workout on the Arc because it's something new and different, or because it's a better, more effective machine than the elliptical?
I haven't used an elliptical in over 2 years now so I'm thinking it will be very effective for me at this stage. I must say, though, you guys have definitely piqued my curiosity about the Arc. :7
>Trainer. I have a very difficult time working up a sweat on
>the elliptical - I have to really increase the resistance and
>incline.
>
>I think both machines are boring, though!
>
>Erica
Erica and Laura, do you think you're getting a more intense workout on the Arc because it's something new and different, or because it's a better, more effective machine than the elliptical?
I haven't used an elliptical in over 2 years now so I'm thinking it will be very effective for me at this stage. I must say, though, you guys have definitely piqued my curiosity about the Arc.
:7
kathryn
Cathlete
>I just ordered this one from Nordic
>Track..http://www.nordictrack.com/cgi-bin/...3&prrfnbr=1538116&cgrfnbr=46527&rootcat=46525
>
Carole: let me know how you like it (and how much of a pain it is to assemble!). I've been eyeing that one (I like the adjustable stride and the space-saver design).
>Track..http://www.nordictrack.com/cgi-bin/...3&prrfnbr=1538116&cgrfnbr=46527&rootcat=46525
>
Carole: let me know how you like it (and how much of a pain it is to assemble!). I've been eyeing that one (I like the adjustable stride and the space-saver design).
LauraMax
Cathlete
Well, it's not really "new" to me b/c I used to use the stairmaster at the gym (boy do I miss the stairmaster! I wonder why no one uses it anymore?), & when I moved here my new gym didn't have one so I tried both the elliptical & the arc trainer. Basically they were both new to me.
Like I said, I can't really explain why, all I know is for me it's a much tougher workout than the elliptical.
Erica, I read a book while I'm on the machines. It helps with the boredom factor (of course at my elite gym every freakin machine has its own TV--I counted once & there are more than 80 TVs at my gym! What does that say about our society?). Anyway, I have my own nifty little book rack, & it does help take my mind off the torture. ;-)
Like I said, I can't really explain why, all I know is for me it's a much tougher workout than the elliptical.
Erica, I read a book while I'm on the machines. It helps with the boredom factor (of course at my elite gym every freakin machine has its own TV--I counted once & there are more than 80 TVs at my gym! What does that say about our society?). Anyway, I have my own nifty little book rack, & it does help take my mind off the torture. ;-)
toughYrun
Cathlete
I bought a Precor without the handles and with the crossramp last March and love it. I use it for cross training when preparing for a marathon so having the crossramp made more sense for my purposes. Since I've never used one with hanldebars then I can't recommend one over the other but adjusting the crossramp does at least allow you to put emphasis on different lower body muscles.
The Arc Trainer isn't new to me, but I definitely feel like I'm getting a more intense workout than I do on the elliptical. I haven't worn my HRM in a while, but I'm definitely sweating more and my perceived exertion on the Arc Trainer is higher than on the elliptical. Like Laura said, I don't know why the Arc Trainer works better for me, but it does. I know that other people at the Y I go to feel the same way - the Arc Trainer is the first choice for a lot of them. Unfortunately, they only have 2 there, but they have about 12 ellipticals. The elliptical is still a fine machine, I just find that I have to work much harder to get a good workout.
Laura - thanks for the reminder to read something while I'm on the cardio machines. I usually listen to music and/or watch tv, but reading would definitely make the time go faster. I always forget that I have that option.
Erica
Laura - thanks for the reminder to read something while I'm on the cardio machines. I usually listen to music and/or watch tv, but reading would definitely make the time go faster. I always forget that I have that option.
Erica
LauraMax
Cathlete
Erica that is so funny that people at your gym prefer the arc trainer b/c it's more intense--the people at my gym prefer the elliptical b/c it's easier!
I got my little book rack at www.bigfitness.com. I love that thing. Every gym I've ever belonged to had a bunch of them, but when I moved back to NJ none of them did. Anyway, it's really handy.
I got my little book rack at www.bigfitness.com. I love that thing. Every gym I've ever belonged to had a bunch of them, but when I moved back to NJ none of them did. Anyway, it's really handy.
pixiesis
Cathlete
I don't think anyone posted about the octane elliptical trainer yet. (Sorry if so!) My big sister (pixie9) and I tried one out at a fitness store recently and thought it was the best! Before I thought that precor was the best, and of course I'd still love to have a precor, but this one had a perfect fit and adjustable stride, super solid, it was just better. Oh, and it's much smaller than other brands too. It looks like the company only makes elliptical trainers, which seems like a good thing. The link is below.
Amy
http://octanefitness.com
Amy
http://octanefitness.com
Yes, the Octane was THE best Elliptical I've EVER been on, and I've been on tons of ellipticals. There are different models. I'm usually annoyed with the hand things that swing forward and back, but they were made so ergonomically better, that I actually liked them. It was more compact, looked better, and was way more comfortable than any other machine I had been on. I was a sceptic before I got on it, but now I really want one!
carolyn
carolyn
Miss Lee
Cathlete
Carolyn and Amy, you have really piqued my interest with the Octane. I've never heard of it! I'm leaning heavily towards a Precor at this point but now I think I may need to investigate this new monkey wrench you've tossed into the mix.
Carolyn, I was wondering what your take is on the arc trainer. Laura and Erica keep dangling this little carrot in front of my face but I can't find much in the way of reviews that do side by side comparisons of ellipticals and arc trainers. I'd also be curious to know what your DH thinks since he is a physical therapist. I haven't been to a gym in over 2 years and they didn't have an arc trainer when I was a member so I have no practical experience with it. I have always loved the elliptical, though.
I would really value your input!
Thanks ladies!
Carolyn, I was wondering what your take is on the arc trainer. Laura and Erica keep dangling this little carrot in front of my face but I can't find much in the way of reviews that do side by side comparisons of ellipticals and arc trainers. I'd also be curious to know what your DH thinks since he is a physical therapist. I haven't been to a gym in over 2 years and they didn't have an arc trainer when I was a member so I have no practical experience with it. I have always loved the elliptical, though.
I would really value your input!
Thanks ladies!
Michele,
Here are some links I found (I'm not sure if the CYBEX one has been posted before).
www.ellipticaltrainers.com/brands/octane.htm
www.ecybex.com/Products/displayproduct.aspx?id=600A
I haven't been on the CYBEX (ARC), but looking at it on the web makes me think it's a top notch machine. I like that it has "correct allignment" for the knees and hips which is great for repetitive movements. Honestly, it may be a toss up. It also looks to be around the same size as the Octane, which is great. The thing I really really liked about the Octane was the adjustable stride (not all models have this apparently) which I can't find on the CYBEX descriptions (but that doesn't mean some models don't have that option, I just haven't seen it).
The adjustable stride made me feel more like I was running somehow, with no impact of course. Other ellipticals have never mimicked my natural stride, and so I was actually surprised at how comfortable it felt. I also was surprised at how intense you could make it (because Precor has the patent for the incline lift, which is usually the best way to increase intensity IMO). If I were you, I'd find a way to test ride both of these for at least 30 minutes straight. Write down immediatly what you liked and didn't like about the machine and compare them. It should feel comfortable the entire time.
Jason (DH), got on the Octane as well and was surprised at how comfortable it felt. As a fitness person, he usually doesn't like ellipticals because he can't get his HR up enough and it doesn't feel natural like running does. He'll pick a treadmill over any other machine, but he did actually like it. As a therapist, I think he was impressed and thought it could be a useful machine that would be great for repetitive motions. I'll ask him more about it when he gets home. We found it at a place that had the exact squat rack he wanted and he ended up getting that for him. He was so excited about that, I wonder if he even remembers anything else about that day honestly.
carolyn
Here are some links I found (I'm not sure if the CYBEX one has been posted before).
www.ellipticaltrainers.com/brands/octane.htm
www.ecybex.com/Products/displayproduct.aspx?id=600A
I haven't been on the CYBEX (ARC), but looking at it on the web makes me think it's a top notch machine. I like that it has "correct allignment" for the knees and hips which is great for repetitive movements. Honestly, it may be a toss up. It also looks to be around the same size as the Octane, which is great. The thing I really really liked about the Octane was the adjustable stride (not all models have this apparently) which I can't find on the CYBEX descriptions (but that doesn't mean some models don't have that option, I just haven't seen it).
The adjustable stride made me feel more like I was running somehow, with no impact of course. Other ellipticals have never mimicked my natural stride, and so I was actually surprised at how comfortable it felt. I also was surprised at how intense you could make it (because Precor has the patent for the incline lift, which is usually the best way to increase intensity IMO). If I were you, I'd find a way to test ride both of these for at least 30 minutes straight. Write down immediatly what you liked and didn't like about the machine and compare them. It should feel comfortable the entire time.
Jason (DH), got on the Octane as well and was surprised at how comfortable it felt. As a fitness person, he usually doesn't like ellipticals because he can't get his HR up enough and it doesn't feel natural like running does. He'll pick a treadmill over any other machine, but he did actually like it. As a therapist, I think he was impressed and thought it could be a useful machine that would be great for repetitive motions. I'll ask him more about it when he gets home. We found it at a place that had the exact squat rack he wanted and he ended up getting that for him. He was so excited about that, I wonder if he even remembers anything else about that day honestly.
carolyn