Well, I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend, but have you considered an AMT machine instead? One of my good friends was a huge elliptical fan... until I introduced her to the AMT at the YMCA once. That because her new favorite machine instantly. They appear to be kind of pricey, depending on the model, but here is a link to check out a video if you haven't seen them before: www.amtfitness.com/amt-885#amt
18 Apr 17 by member: ehead
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Buy a thing you'll use. If you will resent the treadmill for not being the elliptical, get an elliptical. If you're ready for a change and will use and enjoy the treadmill, get that. Or get one of those things they sell on TV at 2 AM that turns you into Christie Brinkley.
18 Apr 17 by member: kpwcalories
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I have never felt like I got anything good out of an elliptical workout - it's suspiciously easy. If you're in an area where there's inclement weather half the year, I say invest in the treadmill. If you want peppy bounce, dance around in your living room.
18 Apr 17 by member: soonsoonsoon
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Come up with a realistic training plan that involves heart rate to measure your workout intensity.
You can't do all your 5k training on an elliptical trainer, but you can do some base conditioning on it.
Walk before you run. Walk faster before you run.
18 Apr 17 by member: jparlett
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kpwcalories... "Or get one of those things they sell on TV at 2 AM that turns you into Christie Brinkley." HAHAHAHA!!! If it were that easy, I'd aim to become Chuck Norris, over Christie Brinkley! At least I'd feel like I could kick some A if needed! ha!
18 Apr 17 by member: ehead
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Since you already have the elliptical, get the treadmill. You can go back and forth between the two. Of course you need to have room for both but that's for you to decide. Good luck on which ever way you go.
18 Apr 17 by member: mickfan1
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Do more of what you think people are thinking is going on behind closed doors and less of the elliptical and I'm sure your husband would support you. :)
18 Apr 17 by member: ApacheTiger37
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I feel ya on this conundrum. I never even wanted to buy any of these exercise machines before this year. On the east coast, I was able to get in exercise without one. But, in the Pac Northwest, trying to get outside exercise in this neck of the literal woods is actually dangerous in the wintertime! My mother and I gave in this year and chose the recumbent bike. It has 25 levels, and surprisingly kicks my booty. It also monitors heart rate, pulse, and last session I burned 427 calories in 30 minutes. Just as essential, it's kind to our joints and both of us have arthritis and she has 2 joint replacements. I think go with the machine that works with where you're at now. If you don't have joint issues and really want to train for a 5K, go with the treadmill. But, I agree with jparlett (walk fast, before you run! lol).
18 Apr 17 by member: Egull1
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How's your land/property for walking/jogging? Getting out in the sunshine is always helpful. If you're struggling on which to buy, maybe consider plotting out an area of terrain there at home that you can walk or jog on. If you have enough area, you could even make yourself some spots (mentally note where they are, or physically mark them with a sign) to stop at certain points and change it up. For example, at one point, stop and do 100 jumping jacks or do it for 2 minutes. Give yourself some sprint intervals. Walk, and then from point A to point B, jog. Maybe do a different spot where you run as fast as you can from A to B, etc. If you can set it up to correlate with your workout, do ramp up things, more high intensity stuff, then cool down things like stretching and such towards the end. If you can do that, then get your elliptical for inside time when it's raining or just to use alternately.
18 Apr 17 by member: ehead
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You already know that you love the elliptical... I am a runner amongst oher things and a few years ago I bought a treadmill for the winter. I absolutely hated it. It is nothing like the joy of running or jogging outdoors. I personally always grabbed an elliptical at the gym, treadmills are just so boring. I just recently purchased a fitness watch and train with my heartbeat which is a wonderful way to train. I really like Ehead's advice!!! Take it a step further with a good fitness watch. My watch cost me $160 and I haven't regretted it once. My $400 dollar treadmill however was given to my mother in law and now sits in her garage mostly unused.
18 Apr 17 by member: dbrfbaker
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soon - it is NOT easy to do elliptical if you set the tensions and speed correctly - it saves knees and hips!
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@HCB - yeah, I tried adjusting the tensions & speed, but I still felt like I hadn't pulled a sweat. No question about it being kind on the joints. But jogging outside or running inside has always shown up on the scale as the Harder Activity That Kicks Fat's Ass!
18 Apr 17 by member: soonsoonsoon
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I have an elliptical I keep for my morning workouts before my baby wakes. Then, I do my running in the afternoon following work 4-5 times a week with the baby in a stroller. I've never liked treadmills. I just prefer to run outside.
18 Apr 17 by member: 2ManyCurves
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