Any (reluctant) runners switched to an elliptical machine?

[Wiifitmama]

I am an on again off again runner/jogger. Never loved it but it was the only exercise I ever stuck to for periods of time. Not great for my body - I have had sciatic problems, knee problems etc. I have gained a tonne of weight and am getting ready to restart some diet and exercise in the New Year. I was looking at elliptical machines and wondering about getting one as an alternative. I have used them before in a gym in the rare periods I went to a gym so I know what they are.

My thinking is that if it is there (in my bedroom) I am more likely to use it than having to leave the house to run. I am a fair weather runner - too rainy and I won't go, too hot in summer and I won't go. Etc. So I thought having this at home would help. Also, being able to watch tv on the iPad etc (which I can't do while running!) might help.

On the other hand, I am worrying about it gathering dust! One of the things that kept me running even when I hated it was the runners high at the end. I never ever actually enjoyed the running, but the high was amazing. Do you get this from an elliptical?

Any thoughts??

[Bumblebee39]

Well I'm intending to get a 2 in 1 so I can bike or eliptical, and then start running again when I'm not pregnant and have the time. Prefer running but can't do it without someone to watch the kids or while I'm pregnant (due to SPD)
I'm hoping to combine the 2 eventually, with as much swimming as possible and some classes once I have the time and energy, I think variety helps and eliptical gives me the same level of aerobic exercise as running without the impact on my temperamental joints

[Wiifitmama]

Thanks for the response. I hope the same as you but am wondering if hope and reality will be different!

[carrie74]

Do you do other exercise at home? I think if not, I'd be inclined to purchase cheaper equipment (hand weights) and see how you get on with the commitment before shelling out £00s on cardio equipment.

Fitness Blender is a great way of accessing hundreds of workouts at home using minimal equipment, in fact there's so many online resources available, I don't think there's ever been such an accessible way to exercise at home.

FWIW I had hand weights for years before taking the plunge and getting a treadmill at home (and that was because DH wanted it). We both use it quite a lot (at least once a week), and he's now purchased a bike as well, based on the fact that we get so much use out of the treadmill and other home equipment.

[Wiifitmama]

Thanks. I have a cupboard full of things like weights and fitness balls bought over the years and not used. I know from years of experience that I only stick to cardio, and more specifically running. I have tried gyms, classes, personal trainers, fitness apps etc over the years. I hate them all and never do them. However, I (surprisingly) do enjoy (sort of) running and it is the one thing I have stuck to on and off. But, I do find it harder to make myself get out there in anything other than perfect weather and it is very easy to just not go out the door. It has also been terrible for my physical body. I figured the elliptical was lower impact and having it in my room means I see it daily and can jus jump on it even for short times when it fits in between other stuff.

[carrie74]

Ah ok. Have you only ever run outside? I just wonder if you'll find it too boring? It's so difficult to know if you'll use it or not until you have it, would anyone else in the house get any use out of it, or can you have a 'reason' to use it (eg I've got an Apple Watch, and if I haven't met my watch daily goal, I'll hop on the treadmill to get it done. Or say an achievable target you could set yourself, like completing a certain number of miles in a certain time?j.

Also, I don't know the nature of your injuries, but I have an injury-prone DH who can't be kept away from exercise (his cure for a cold is a run ), who's had knee surgery, and he found running on a treadmill much more gentle than running outside, and managed to get himself back up to outdoor fitness by running on the treadmill.

[Bumblebee39]

I think it would be a good idea to work out if you would use it or not before buying it if you have other equipment you don't use?
I buy things because if I pay money for it I feel obligated to use it. I kill my body if I have a gym membership to "get my money's worth" which I know I shouldn't, but also make good use of 50p charity shop exercise DVDs

[Wiifitmama]

Thanks for the replies. I have used one - it was the only machine I would use at the gym (when I used to go) other than a treadmill. Yes, in some ways running inside on a treadmill is boring compared to outside. I don't have space for a treadmill in my room anyway. I was thinking that the difference with this is I could watch streamed tv....lots of box sets etc. I can't do that when running outside! I have a fitbit and do like the see the numbers go up on it, and I use some other apps to track exercise (when I do it!) so am motivated by that kind of thing.

[Westwing1]

Hi, we have one, my DH had lots of sports injuries including several knee surgeries so he is limited in what he is allowed to do exercise wise. We both use it, I plug my iPod into it and do a half hour. My DH watches TV I think. Yes we do get the exercise high, same as after running outdoors. We both prefer to run (jog) in fresh air but this is a safer way for us to exercise. We got ours from John Lewis, it was expensive to be honest but worth it for us.

[Wiifitmama]

Thanks - that is really helpful and just what I wanted to hear - the experience of a previous runner!