How can I get more out of my cross trainer?

[JackRabbitBauer]

It is a bog standard eliptical cross trainer. I am starting using it again and have found that I did 8km the other day in half an hour. it takes me 40 mins to run 5k!
I was out of breath adn my heart rate was up but I can't help feeling I am not doing it 'properly'!
Any ideas? Tips?

(can't afford gym or even a one of visit as have no-one to watch kids while I do it)

sorry, but i dont understand teh equation between runbing and the 8 km you did.

do you have different programmes on your cross trainer? if so, then you can use those. build up, so that you start off at the lower levels, and work your way up. also, try intervals, where you do a minute at a high levvel, then back down again for another minute, etc.
dont forget to do warm up, and stretching.
after your cardio workout, do some weights. obviously this is easier if you have actual weights, but if not, then filled bottles of anything that you can grip easily work, just ensure you do the range of muslces. and stretch at the end.
good luck. i have always found working out at home to be very very hard.

I know, It didn't come with an instruciton manual [helpful] and has no programmes other than go and stop. Or I can do it backwards.
Do I need to use the arm things all the time for it to be 'worth it' as that hurts my back as I have to slightly lean forward (am too tall I think)

Sorry, I know I am not making much sense, I was just musing thanks for advice though.

The thing with teh running is I can only get for a run twice a week at the moment so I need to use the cross trainer to get my fitness up, but it is nowhere near as effective as running as I am doing (just dialing up tension and then doing min with arms and min without (see back thing above).

it doesnt sound good if you are getting back ache. cross trainers are meant to be for all over you body. have a look and see if you can adjust it to your height. there should be some method of moving it.
try googling the make and model, and see if you can find some instructions from manufacturers.
you dont need to use the arms all the time, but they are helpful, particularly in ensureing you dont fall off. going backwards uses different muscles, those in the back of your thighs, rather than the front, and is useful, but i would personally do that as an intervals thing, rather than just backwards. can you adjust the tension on it easily, or do you literally have to do it by a screw? on my one, its just like in the gym, where i change it by pressing an arrow key.

It's a dial thingy which is between my knees (ooer)
I have tried googling, but nothing, it was new when I got it but is supposed to be very user friendly as it really does nothing but go IYSWIM!
I am okay on teh static handles but the moving ones go too far forward for me to feel comfy. DH is taller then me and is fine with it though so it might well just be me.

Will keep at it though, thanks for your help!