Hey guys,
I've noticed the elliptical machine tends to get a lot of hate. Considered a sissy machine for babies, but I'm hoping to change some minds, and hopefully get some kind of a competition going for it.
I'll start off by saying the reason I don't run is because of a knee injury (patellar tendonisis), and the reason I don't use the bike is because a) it hurts my ass, and b) too much lactic acid builds up when I try HIIT on it.
If your legs are in good shape then no doubt elliptical just isn't as good as straight up sprints. If you're in the same kind of spot as me though, or maybe you just want to try something new then this thread's for you.
The reason for this thread is I want more motivation to push myself in cardio, and competition has always been a great motivator for me. If anyone else likes intense cardio, and uses the elliptical I'd be happy to hear some of your routines.
I'd like to get some kind of a competition going for elliptical intervals, or possibly maximum distance in 30 minutes/1 hour time period. Before I post any competitive ideas I want to check if there's any interest though.
If you've never used the elliptical, but maybe you're curious, or maybe this thread has made you a little curious, I'll give you my current routine.
First:
This is the elliptical machine I use:
http://64.251.194.203/fitnesscorp/pictures/Life 95xi.bmp
If your gym doesn't have this one, then it'll be very difficult to compare. I think it's a common machine though, at least in my area from what I've seen.
Alright so you think it can't give you a good workout?? Try this:
Warm up 8 minutes ish, then crank the resistance up to 16 and get maintain 17 MPH for 30 seconds. That's my first interval of my routine. Subsequent intervals are 15 resistance and an average of 15.5 MPH. I do 30 second sprint, 2:30 recovery. Total of 10 intervals in about 35 minutes (including 8 minute warm up). Last interval is 15 resistance and about 17.5 MPH (factored into 15 MPH average).Usually I'm too tired to cool down honestly.. maybe 1 minute cool down then the 1/8th mile walk to my car for the rest of the cool down.
Just as a small note so I'm not exaggerating: The first 4 seconds of the 30 second interval is me accelerating to my average of 15.5 MPH. On my stronger earlier and later intervals it's probably just 0 second acceleration, because I start the interval a second earlier, and about 16.5 MPH average, but on my middle intervals it might be 6-8 second acceleration, and 15 MPH for the remaining 22 seconds.
I figure that's a pretty good description of my routine.
I'd be pretty amazed if anyone can handle that first try. Maybe if you're already doing something similar, or you're in excellent shape 180+ lbs.
Well that's my challenge I guess. If anyone else is in the same boat as me with knee/leg injury preventing running, I'd be happy to hear some different routines. I'd also be up for a different interval breakup challenge. Maybe you like the 30 seconds sprint, 30 seconds rest intervals? Let me know your stats and I'll give it a try.
Really hope this thread gets some hits. At least if you run alone you can keep working on a mile time. I have no frame of reference on the elliptical !!
I've noticed the elliptical machine tends to get a lot of hate. Considered a sissy machine for babies, but I'm hoping to change some minds, and hopefully get some kind of a competition going for it.
I'll start off by saying the reason I don't run is because of a knee injury (patellar tendonisis), and the reason I don't use the bike is because a) it hurts my ass, and b) too much lactic acid builds up when I try HIIT on it.
If your legs are in good shape then no doubt elliptical just isn't as good as straight up sprints. If you're in the same kind of spot as me though, or maybe you just want to try something new then this thread's for you.
The reason for this thread is I want more motivation to push myself in cardio, and competition has always been a great motivator for me. If anyone else likes intense cardio, and uses the elliptical I'd be happy to hear some of your routines.
I'd like to get some kind of a competition going for elliptical intervals, or possibly maximum distance in 30 minutes/1 hour time period. Before I post any competitive ideas I want to check if there's any interest though.
If you've never used the elliptical, but maybe you're curious, or maybe this thread has made you a little curious, I'll give you my current routine.
First:
This is the elliptical machine I use:
http://64.251.194.203/fitnesscorp/pictures/Life 95xi.bmp
If your gym doesn't have this one, then it'll be very difficult to compare. I think it's a common machine though, at least in my area from what I've seen.
Alright so you think it can't give you a good workout?? Try this:
Warm up 8 minutes ish, then crank the resistance up to 16 and get maintain 17 MPH for 30 seconds. That's my first interval of my routine. Subsequent intervals are 15 resistance and an average of 15.5 MPH. I do 30 second sprint, 2:30 recovery. Total of 10 intervals in about 35 minutes (including 8 minute warm up). Last interval is 15 resistance and about 17.5 MPH (factored into 15 MPH average).Usually I'm too tired to cool down honestly.. maybe 1 minute cool down then the 1/8th mile walk to my car for the rest of the cool down.
Just as a small note so I'm not exaggerating: The first 4 seconds of the 30 second interval is me accelerating to my average of 15.5 MPH. On my stronger earlier and later intervals it's probably just 0 second acceleration, because I start the interval a second earlier, and about 16.5 MPH average, but on my middle intervals it might be 6-8 second acceleration, and 15 MPH for the remaining 22 seconds.
I figure that's a pretty good description of my routine.
I'd be pretty amazed if anyone can handle that first try. Maybe if you're already doing something similar, or you're in excellent shape 180+ lbs.
Well that's my challenge I guess. If anyone else is in the same boat as me with knee/leg injury preventing running, I'd be happy to hear some different routines. I'd also be up for a different interval breakup challenge. Maybe you like the 30 seconds sprint, 30 seconds rest intervals? Let me know your stats and I'll give it a try.
Really hope this thread gets some hits. At least if you run alone you can keep working on a mile time. I have no frame of reference on the elliptical !!