Question:
Not sure if I like my elliptical machine. Any pointers on how to use it?

I am not sure if the pedal settings are right. Feels kind of like I am climbing stairs. I can only use it for a few minutes. Help!    — Jill E. (posted on March 19, 2003)

March 18, 2003
Said in my best black girl voice -- GIRL, I used to hate that machine! ha ha. I was so scared of it for at least the first year after my surgery. Then one day when no one was in the gym...I sneaked on it (I had a fear that it would crack from my weight or something). It didn't break, I did a couple minutes and thought, ok, I can figure this out. Now I do 1/2 hour to 45 minutes on it daily. My dad is a workout king and can only do 15 minutes. It takes practice. Anyway, if you're on the one without the moving arms, it sounds like you need to change the incline. It should go from 1-20. The higher the incline, the more you'll feel like you're climbing stairs. Leave the resistance at 1 until you're more used to it. I have the incline at 10 now. The one with the arms I think doesn't have the incline option but I could be wrong. Keep trying it. Add a couple minutes every few days and soon you'll be the Queen! Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

March 19, 2003
when i first went to the gym, i HATED the elliptical. it was SO hard and wore me out fast fast fast. now i use it the most because it has the least impact on the knee joints and at the same time burns the most calories per minute. what made a big difference for me was talking to my trainer about how it made me feel like my legs were two different lengths. he said that i needed to sink into each push down on the foot pedal a little more. to sink into it and not be afraid to let my hips get into it...he said to move like you're dancing and to keep a rhythm. it made a world of difference. good luck!! and dont give up on it, it just takes time.
   — Julie I.

March 21, 2003
Jill, the first time I used it, I almost died. It was for only 5 minutes, but was so strenuous, and I felt like I was running track in the cold again like in school! But then I made myself do it again and just used a lower speed and did it slower. Now I do it 4-5times a week at the gym and have increased my speeds and can do it up to 30 minutes! I think that machine is something you have to get used to and work up to. Even doing 5 minutes burns like 50 calories! There should be settings on the machine, as to the incline and resistance, but all are different, so I don't know how to explain how to change it. The one I uses just has buttons. Don't give up on it though, it will get better! Goodluck to you
   — Lezlie Y.