So the time is finally coming, got a brand new house to move into soon and one corner of the basement is being reserved for an elliptical trainer.  I never thought I would ever be to the point of wanting to buy a major piece of exercise equipment but I’m having problems fitting more gym time into my schedule (the 30 mins a day just isn’t doing it for me any more) so the gym has to come to me.  Anyone have any advice on what kind or how to buy one?

Three words: Just buy one! But don’t buy it from a TV shop. The quality on the TV products is not that great, and they make a lot of noise. Go to a store, and try out a trainer.

It should:
* be very quiet. Magnetic, not chain, resistance.
* feel very solid. Check the build quality!
* have the abilty to put up some great resistance
* have a computer that tracks your calories burned
* have the ability to make a programme that gives you various resistance during workout
* not be the cheapest model. Put some money in it!
* be used!

I have now lost 30 pound on a elliptical trainer in 3/4 year. Use it, like me, when you’re watching a TV show.
Use it for at least 40 minutes - 5 times a week, and you’re fat will melt away!

Fantastic-good for you!  I just got one (still in box)-an early B-day present.  Any other elliptical users out there??

I love the elliptical for a good cardio workout, You’re so lucky to have space for a home gym.  I don’t have room for one at home.  I don’t think an elliptical would make a good replacement for the couch - the color is wrong.  Fortunately the gym has a lot of them and most hotels include them so I can keep up my workouts while traveling.  I’ve found it to be low impact but still gives a great workout.  I have problems with lateral stability in my knees - I ski with a knee brace and don’t do some of the stupid things I did 15 years ago.  Running on any kind of hard surface really hurts both my back and knees but the elliptical is just fine for both. 

A quick for me workout on most ellipticals is 30 minutes and burns over 300 calories.  I prefer 45 to 50 minutes with a 5 to 10 minute warm-up and cool down - 400+ calories. 

Hope you enjoy yours. 

Paula

Rosebud -

I am a hardcore elliptical advocate! I love the range of programs available, the moving arms option, the low impact… The best thing is what Paula said - how you can burn through so many calories so quickly! My personal goal while using an elliptical is to burn at least 10 calories for every 1 minute on it. And that’s pretty easy to do, but it also keeps me from slacking.

So have you gotten yours out of the box yet?

Carlyn-
Yes, up and running this afternoon!  I think it’s going to be a nice addition to my walking.  Although it appears that I am going to have to start out slow and build up as my legs began to burn after about 7 minutes

I bought one as an early Christmas present for myself.  I love it!  Just watch TV and Sweat!

The other great thing Is before I had one at home, the only thing I would do at the gym was the elliptical (maybe the bike if I was sore) Now that I have one at home, anytime I do make it to the gym I don’t want to use the elliptical because I can do that at home anytime.  I’m trying ut all sorts of fun things now. (the elliptical is still my favorite though!)