Is the elliptical a good exercise?

baybee07

I have ginormous "girls"...to the point that I cannot run without them hitting my chin..literally.

I find that I can do the elliptical nicely...running on the treadmill is out of the question (at the gym that is..i can embarrass myself at home with  no one watching)

When I go to the gym, I only do the elliptical. It's what I am comfortable doing and it gives me a good workout.  I just question if it's a great workout to lose weight?  I get my heartbeat going, I do 3-4 miles on it in 30 minutes.  Am I just wasting my time or is there something else I can be doing. 

(I've only been really working out for 3 weeks, and just started to watch the food part of my "new lifestyle")

Thanks

Jilybean17

As long as you feel like you are getting your heart rate up enough and you're actually breaking a sweat, I'd say it's a good workout for you! You can always up the intensity by turning up the resistance. 

JessJ222

I would look into getting a good fitting sports bra so you can do any type of exercise you might like.

try www.enell.com or www.movingcomfort.com

 

HathaGirl

If you're looking for alternatives in addition to the elliptical, try trading off and going on the stair master and the bike. It's best to alternate anyway, so your body doesn't get too used to one thing. When I'm on the bike (the kind that you sit back, not the kind where you sit bending forward), squeeze your butt. Does a great leg and butt exercise. The stair master is also a killer, but it's fantastic and sculpts your legs and butt. And it definitely raises my heartbeat faster than the elliptical.

 PP mentioned weights. Definitely a good way to go. Explore the weight machines, or take a weight class if it's offered at your gym, to learn the ways of the free weights. Body sculpting brings amazing results. 

kirkette

Elliptical is usually a good exercise for maintaining weight, but may be lackluster for longterm weight loss. Adding in strength training and high intensity intervals will help should you reach a plateau. 

As Crash mentioned, diet is also key.

GL! 

colorschemer

The elliptical can be a great workout if you have the tension set high enough. Just keep increasing the level setting until you can only comfortably do 30 - 60 rpms. I use to love the elliptical because I could shred a thousand calories in about 40 minutes.I know that the estimates that you get from the machine aren't perfect, but I would pour sweat the whole time and that has to be a good sign.

It is a much more intense workout for me than running, though I run more than I do the elliptical because it is a good chance to get some fresh air.

I have gotten a number of compliments on my arms and the only strength training I do is during my yoga practice and pulling the arms of the elliptical. Make sure to set that tension high enough and get your whole body into it.