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Old 06-30-2011, 04:59 PM
 
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I just got an elliptical machine about a week ago and I have been using it for 15-20 minutes a day. Is it alright if I keep using it every day?
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Old 06-30-2011, 05:58 PM
 
Location: NYC
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Yes, but you should do intervals in order to keep your body guessing. If you don't, eventually it will stop being beneficial (and that will happen soon). You need to go hard for a minute or two so you are pushing at your max, then go easy again, then go hard, etc. If you can adjust the "incline" you should do that too. By the way I think you should bump up the time to at least 30 minutes. 15-20 isn't enough, unless this is a warm-up to weight lifting.
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Old 06-30-2011, 06:02 PM
 
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Depends on your current fitness level and goals.

The American College of Sports Medicine says 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is good. But you may want to start off with 10 to 15 min sessions, adding 5 min to your sessions each week until you reach 30 min sessions.

You really don't want to do too much too soon, or you may risk injury or burnout.

Have fun!!
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Old 06-30-2011, 06:57 PM
 
Location: NJ
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you can do it twice a day!
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:07 PM
 
Location: Miami, FL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bson1257 View Post
I just got an elliptical machine about a week ago and I have been using it for 15-20 minutes a day. Is it alright if I keep using it every day?
Yes you can assuming your general health is suitable for sustained use.
Then add Intensity training and as mentioned above also include other routines to avoid muscle memory laziness.

I did an hour per day every day for six months and became quite lean using Intensity workouts.
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Old 07-01-2011, 07:21 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OngletNYC View Post
Yes, but you should do intervals in order to keep your body guessing. If you don't, eventually it will stop being beneficial (and that will happen soon). You need to go hard for a minute or two so you are pushing at your max, then go easy again, then go hard, etc. If you can adjust the "incline" you should do that too. By the way I think you should bump up the time to at least 30 minutes. 15-20 isn't enough, unless this is a warm-up to weight lifting.
Agree!

I saw the most benefit on my elliptical when I did intervals on it. Very easy to do and it at least keeps it interesting.
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Old 07-01-2011, 02:33 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
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Muscle memory laziness does not apply to cardiovascular exercise. Intervals are fine but so is simply working at a fixed resistance for a fixed time. Your heart doesn't care and most peoples goal on ellipticals is weight loss. The calories will be burned as a function of time x intensity. Intervals make cardio interesting but the people who stick a book or a TV in their faces and spin for an hour are much better off for having done that than doing nothing at all. IMO.

H
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Old 07-01-2011, 02:46 PM
 
Location: NJ
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i really liked the intervals when i was doing it. keeps things interesting because you are watching the clock and changing speed every minute. plus it gives you a chance to go all out every few minutes so you really can push yourself and you know that at the end of the minute you can ease up. my shirt used to be 100% drenched in sweat when i did that.
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Old 07-01-2011, 02:55 PM
 
Location: Woodinville
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leisesturm View Post
Muscle memory laziness does not apply to cardiovascular exercise. Intervals are fine but so is simply working at a fixed resistance for a fixed time. Your heart doesn't care and most peoples goal on ellipticals is weight loss. The calories will be burned as a function of time x intensity. Intervals make cardio interesting but the people who stick a book or a TV in their faces and spin for an hour are much better off for having done that than doing nothing at all. IMO.

H
When I was doing HIIT my endurance for moderate exertion exercise increased exponentially. Running intervals is much more tiring than jogging at a slow-moderate pace and will give you much better endurance.

Muscle memory refers only to weight lifting and other muscle related activities. I think the word we're looking for here is "plateau." HIIT keep you from plateauing too soon.
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Old 07-01-2011, 03:01 PM
 
Location: NJ
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the problem with jogging at a singe pace over a long period of time is that most people never push themself. when i go to the gym and look at the cardio area, most people are barely walking on those things. with hiit, you push yourself.
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