Elliptical Trainer

laurach

Anyone using an elliptical trainer as part of their training plan ?. I am going to start a novice half marathon training plan next week and was wondering if it was a good idea to incorporate the use of an elliptical trainer I have at home. All advice appreciated

Krusty_Clown

You know those days when you were planning on doing no exercise at all? Those are good days to use the elliptical trainer. Don't use it as an alternative to running. Use it as an alternative to doing nothing.

Raighne

laurach wrote: »

Anyone using an elliptical trainer as part of their training plan ?. I am going to start a novice half marathon training plan next week and was wondering if it was a good idea to incorporate the use of an elliptical trainer I have at home. All advice appreciated

hi Laura, personally, I always advise people against using an elliptical trainer. The machine perpetuates an artificial movement pattern somewhat similar to walking but very dissimilar from running. It's very much a "push action" like that involved in poor running style so for people with good running style it can lead to bad habits and for those with poor lead it can worsen the problem.

If you watch a person on an elliptical in slow-motion versus an elite African runner, you'll notice they are very opposite. The elliptical puts in a movement pattern very similar to race walking.

As a novice runner you want to teach your body to run as efficiently and naturally as possible so you can set yourself up for a lifetime of injury free and enjoyable running. The elliptical could potentially sabotage you, so if I were your coach, I would tell you not to utilise it but instead seek out forms of natural exercise if you want to supplement your running, preferably outdoors.

laurach

Thanks for the advice Raighne and Krusty - was only looking to use it on days set aside as non-running or cross training in the Hal Higdon half marathon plan.
Raighne - I wish I was a novice runner starting out again, unfortunately 40+ !!!
Only a novice for half marathon, I have completed 2 10k's and am trying for the step up in distance this year.