Anonymous wrote:Just saw a vid (CNN?) that mentioned 5 exercises to avoid, elliptical being one of them for the propensity to hyperextend your knee.

Wouldn't you know, I then hear from my neighbor that he regrets can't help me when I'm blowing snow out of our double driveway because he hyperextended his knee on the elliptical at the gym and is on doctor-ordered rest.

With my bad knee(s), I decided no elliptical. As others said, you can get a good workout without one and I'll chug along on my old Nordic Trak til I wear it out, while also doing the other cardio & weight bearing moves, for which I only need a chair, a wall, and some small weights.

I had been looking at a Sole as a leading choice (the one w street price ~800) but I've eliminated ellipticals from consideration.

I don't care for the elliptical (I consider it too easy and will only use it on a rest day), but this is ridiculous. Exercise can be hard on your body and you can injure yourself with ANYTHING that gets you into great shape. If OP likes it enough to use it regularly, then she should get one.

Just saw a vid (CNN?) that mentioned 5 exercises to avoid, elliptical being one of them for the propensity to hyperextend your knee.

Wouldn't you know, I then hear from my neighbor that he regrets can't help me when I'm blowing snow out of our double driveway because he hyperextended his knee on the elliptical at the gym and is on doctor-ordered rest.

With my bad knee(s), I decided no elliptical. As others said, you can get a good workout without one and I'll chug along on my old Nordic Trak til I wear it out, while also doing the other cardio & weight bearing moves, for which I only need a chair, a wall, and some small weights.

I had been looking at a Sole as a leading choice (the one w street price ~800) but I've eliminated ellipticals from consideration.

I have a Precor elliptical. Love it.

OP, I LOVE my elliptical. LOVE IT. I use it religiously, partly because I enjoy the motion, and it is a form of exercise that works for me. It's easy on the joints, but I feel like I get my heart pumping and I can adjust the resistance.

I have a livestrong LS elliptical (can remember the specific version) that I got at Dick's Sporting Goods a few years ago.

I actually was going to get one of the Sol models, but the livestrong suited my stride better.

The most important thing in an elliptical is to get one that has an appropriate stride. A lot of the home ellipticals have really short strides. So compare the stride length.

The other thing to compare is where the wheel weight thing is (I can't remember the technical term). Some are at the back and others are at the front. And there's a hybrid kind, too. It changes the dynamic of the movement.

If you go to Dick's and ask, they'll plug in the machines they have on display and let you try them. That's really the best thing to do.

present_tense wrote:OP, at least you're honest and looking. If your husband can't convince you to lift weights, I certainly won't be able to on the Internet. In that case, PP's advice about the rower is spot on. Don't forget your nutrition too if losing weight is the goal...

Seriously, congrats on taking a big step. Many people don't make it as far as you have in actively seeking advice.

And this thread is an example why. OP asks for elliptical recommendations. And the first responses are "don't do that; this other type of workout is better." I think that attitude keeps a lot of people away from gyms or fitness. It's like the perfect becomes the enemy of the good.

Most regular people are better off finding a physical activity they at least enjoy a little bit and can incorporate into their life. Weights and rowing and all kinds of workouts are very effective. But if a person hates doing them, then it will be really difficult to keep up a regular routine.

To all of the "best bang for your buck" people:

The best exercise machine or program is the one a person will stick to doing. Period. Some people hate superset. Some people (count me in) hate rowing machines or bike machines.

If OP likes using the elliptical at the gym, then it sounds that the best bang for her buck is an elliptical because she might actually continue to use it regularly.

Any thoughts on the Bowflex Treadclimber:

http://www.treadclimber.com/bowflex-treadclimber-us/homepage.jsp

Anonymous wrote:I can't recommend enough getting a DVD and a set of 5 lb weights if you hate the gym. You can transform your body with an effective 20-30 min workout and eating pretty well.
A DVD helps you commit and is better with strength training b/c it teaches you the moves and it is a lot less easy to quit.

A set of 5 lb weights to transform your body? Are you kidding me? Be a real woman-- lift real weights.

The one in my basement that my husband bought and has only used 5 times! I would love to sell it and clear up some space.

It sounds like you may be better off with a treadmill. I love fast walking on mine while I watch a TV show. The time really flies by. I have an elliptical (lowest priced Precor that was still a lot of $$$) that has held up really well and works fine, but I have better weightloss results from walking.

I can't recommend enough getting a DVD and a set of 5 lb weights if you hate the gym. You can transform your body with an effective 20-30 min workout and eating pretty well.
A DVD helps you commit and is better with strength training b/c it teaches you the moves and it is a lot less easy to quit.

Streetstrider - an elliptical you ride outdoors. Lots of fun and a hard workout. I could not live without mine.

OP here. I am a gym hater. I despise everything in my hub's garage and I dread the thought of going to a gym. I want to lose weight. Hubby would prefer a treadmill, because his only weakness is cardio (running for his work PT test). The only thing I "like" at the gym is an elliptical, so that's why I thought I would buy that. But I'll talk to him about the row machine instead. (And give it a try next time I go to the gym, because I've never even tried it ~ only the bike, elliptical and treadmill.) Thank you present_tense for that advice, because I know it to be true (hubby tells me this as well). I just cannot force myself to do it. :/

Best cardio bang for your buck is a rowing machine. Easy on joints, works almost every muscle group, and you can get top if the line machine for $1k.

I see great reviews on sole e95, and that's about my price range, but wanted to hear from some real people.

Related, for those with home exercise equipment, is an elliptical the best bang for your buck? (When it comes to aerobic exercise.). Hubby has every strength training/free weight item in the free world in his home gym.