Elliptical Trainers - Best Workout Routine?

Dutchy

Hi folks,

I bought an elliptical trainer two weeks ago with the intention of losing a few pounds. Over the last couple of weeks I've used said trainer every day of the week bar Sunday (even the big man takes this day off).

My daily session involves 40 minutes (continuous) on the trainer (increasing resistance every 3 minutes). Apparently these 40 minutes sessions are burning 400 calories each time (I believe it too as the sweat that comes out of me is only extraordinary!).

The things is, over the last couple of weeks... well, no weight has shifted?

A friend told me that this is because I'm building muscle first (or toning at least) and that the weight should start falling off me soon enough... ?

I'm not so sure...

I have a fairly healthy diet - cut out the carbs over the last couple of weeks (well bread and spuds), I'm eating plenty of fruit and veg and I have cut out the pizza too (sigh).

So, is there a better way to approach the elliptical trainers when it comes to sessions? Am I better off splitting the 40 minute session up over the course of the day (i.e. two 20 minute sessions)? Or is it that these trainers just aint all that?

Sorry about the long winded post - just off the trainer and the endorphins (and sweat) are flying all over the gaff.

Thanks in advance.

Dutch.

EileenG

First, you need to do a lot more 40 minutes a day of exercise to see any significant weight loss. Even if you go by the 400 calories, that means that in a week, you've burned 2,800 exercise calories. That's less than a pound of fat.

Also, don't believe the thing about muscle weighing more than fat (actually it doesn't, they weigh the same, but muscle is denser than fat, so it looks better). You won't put on any sort of significant muscle unless you are doing serious resistance exercise.

Treat the elliptical as a way to train your heart and lungs and to stay healthy and look good with your clothes off. Significant fat loss almost always depends on your diet.

If you want to vary your workout, try doing some HIIT. For 30 seconds, go absolutely flat out on it, then do a minute of normal speed to recover. Repeat six to ten times.

godolphin55

hey dutchy ,
I am thinking of buy a cross trainer myself , Can I ask you what brand and model you went for and if you are happy with it ?