Please Recommend an Elliptical Machine for Weight Loss

fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 13:55
Last edited 27/09/2023 - 14:23 by 1 other user

Hi all, after a piece of cardio equipment to use daily in my garage. Already have weights.

Was open to bike / treadmill / elliptical but feel like (and am open to convincing otherwise) an elliptical would be the best because of it being low impact but can still get a good workout in.

Really have no clue - seeing ellipticals from $200 - > $2000.

Could someone recommend me one.

Preferably wanted to spend like $300 but I am not sure anything good quality exists for that price so maybe more like $500?
I really wouldn't want to spend $1000 but if it's required to get something decent, I will do it.

Just want something which is sturdy and will last a few years.

Thanks very much in advance!

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 27/09/2023 - 14:01
    +1

    Get a quality and heavily discounted secondhand elliptical trainer from sharketplace or scamtree

    • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:02

      That would be an ideal option! Would just have to coordinate a delivery person as well to come pick it up somehow but if thats what's required I will do it :)

  • apsilon on 27/09/2023 - 14:05
    +8

    IMO you're better off just walking than using an elliptical. Similar benefits and free. If you must have a machine because you can't or don't want to go out then I'm of the opinion a rower is the best possible choice, only issue might be budget. Have a look and see what you can get a Concept rower (these are basically commercial grade) for used on gumtree etc.

    • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:09

      Interesting. Didn't even think of a rower.

      • dtc on 27/09/2023 - 14:26
        +5

        you wont get a concept rower for under $1000. You can try a water rower, the single track ones with the older display perhaps $500ish and they are just as good for your purposes. a lot of rowers are garbage, so pretty much stick with concept or waterrower

        all that said, cardio or HIIT isnt really a solution to weight loss. It can work but you need to do it a lot to be effective. eg 30 minutes on the elliptical = one can of coke = 1.5 monte carlo biscuits. Easier not to eat than to eat and try to burn it off, unless you have a lot of time.

        But obviously exercise has its own benefits, just so long as you dont expect those to include significant weight loss.

        • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:28
          +1

          That's a real eye opener. Thanks for sharing. I wasn't aware it was THAT much dependent on diet.

          • apsilon on 27/09/2023 - 14:34
            +6

            @fd9: Weight loss is 90% diet. You can't out train a bad diet.

          • Rear CreviceEruption on 27/09/2023 - 16:15

            @fd9: There was a large study of methods of reducing tummy fat a few years ago, which followed many participants over a year or 2. The most effective method was long-term dieting (compared to sit-ups alone, exercise alone, etc.)

        • Sinnerator on 29/09/2023 - 08:41

          does regular exercise increase your overall metabolic rate which in turn burns more calories?

  • Some Human on 27/09/2023 - 14:08
    +2

    Plenty on the side of the road during hard rubbish.

    • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:08

      Thank you for the suggestion lol :)

  • Fredfloresjr on 27/09/2023 - 14:12

    Don't forget to check KFC deals here after. Thanks.

    Seriously, Calories tracker app and your apple/garmin watch will be your friend.

    • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:13

      Hahahaa!
      But thank you :) Currently doing both - old cross trainer screen kicked it and we dumped it when we moved home.

  • Aureus on 27/09/2023 - 14:22

    I use an exercise bike in front of my sit-stand desk. I get a lot of exercise in because I am in front of my computer 40+ hours a week.

  • highon2str on 27/09/2023 - 14:48
    +2

    Before doing any exercise, it's a good idea to see your GP and get some blood work done and clearance to start an exercise program.

    An indoor machine is a good idea as you won't be at the mercy of the weather. We have a peloton at home and while it isn't cheap, it has some excellent features and great programming to help you with your specific training goals. As part of the membership you get full access to all the other classes like yoga, stretching, meditation, strength etc. The strength training in particular would complement the weights that you already have access to. I'd recommend trying it out for free for 30 days, if you decide it's not for you, they take it back and refund you in full. There are a few riding positions that you can adopt on the bike, I tend to like riding out of the saddle, which involves more of a compound type movement and activates the core - on any spin bike, this style of riding would be similar to an elliptical machine.

    Whatever machine you end up using, it is also worth understanding how heart rate (HR) zones work; the good news here is that to lose fat, an effective HR zone to be at is zone 2 or about ~60% of your max HR. So you don't necessarily have to aim train in zones 3 and 4 all the time (though you will burn more calories overall in those zones).

    Sleep and diet (calorie intake/expenditure) are also crucial factors and determinants in weight loss, but that's an entire topic in itself.

    I hope you end up with something that works for you!

    • fd9 on 27/09/2023 - 14:49

      Thank you so much for the info! I will have a look into it.

  • DGrayson82 on 27/09/2023 - 15:48

    Rather than an exercise machine, download myfitnesspal (or a similar app) and count your calories. I was able to lose 30kg in 7 months just by cutting down on sugary/fatty foods.

  • shaybisc on 28/09/2023 - 07:43

    Maybe a Rogue Echo Bike. It will last a long time, minimum maintenance, works upper and lower body.

    https://www.rogueaustralia.com.au/rogue-echo-bike-au

  • minas01 on 28/09/2023 - 09:20

    Before dropping $$ on exercise equipment:

    1. Work out your baseline calorie requirements - plenty of free online calculators which factor in age, gender, activity level etc
    2. Track calorie intake with an app - MyFitnessPal for example
    3. Consume less calories than your baseline requirements. The calculator should also determine how many calories you should consume each day to lose weight.

    Do this by itself and you won't have to spend a cent on any fitness equipment. But exercising/resistance training also has it's own health benefits and will assist in your weight loss journey.

    You already have some weights. There's plenty of free ways to get your cardio fix - running/walking etc.

    The other option is to rent a piece of cardio equipment for a few weeks to determine if it's something you enjoy/will commit to doing each week.

  • fd9 on 02/10/2023 - 20:23

    Took the advice and bought a used one off marketplace for $150! + man and ute $100 delivery

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