5 perks of the elliptical machine


I always felt it was a great injustice when people told me running wasn't enough. And that, as a runner, I should also do so some crosstraining.

It's not fair! I'm dóing it aren't I?!


I felt like I was finally participating in a hurdle race, and I had réached the final hurdle. And then they go and put another one up!
But in the end I succumbed.
I bought myself an elliptical machine. 

Because if I was going to crosstrain, I was going to do it in style! Which in my case meant on a rickety Elliptical Machine I bought for 45 bucks at a local thrift store.

And I have to admit I kind of like it!

So for this Friday Five I decided to share 5 things I've discovered about crosstraining  on an elliptical machine.

elliptical bike
My rickety elliptical machine!

5 things about crosstraining on an elliptical machine

  1. It's boring as hell! But that's alright, because that way it will calm your mind even more than a run would.
  2. Because it's so boring, I only do it for 10 minutes at a time. And I do it after my run.
  3. Because my elliptical machine is on our balcony I feel the freedom to go all out! I work out much harder on the elliptical machine than I do on a run. Because I'm already home. So it's okay if I can't walk afterwards.
  4. I like going backwards more than going forwards. It feels easier!
  5. I like that my arms are finally getting a workout too. I know this, because they keep asking me to stop.

13 comments

Deborah Brooks said...

I love to use my elliptical as cross training but I don't do it the same days as I run.
Confessions of A Mother Runner

Fairytales and Fitness said...

I would love to have my treadmill outside like that. I'm not a fan of the elliptical. I tried it at a relatives house and it made me dizzy. I think too much movement or something!

Nicole Orriëns said...

Yes it's a great solution for me. Because we don't have enough room inside the house.

Julie said...

I LOVE the elliptical machine at the gym. It is my absolute favorite. I have bad ankles so I can't jog for too long without my ankles starting to hurt but when I use this it seems so much easier on them. My legs get that funny jello feeling afterwards tho so it would definitely be nice to have one at home!

Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC said...

i also think they are pretty boring!

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I have one and I love it for when I am injured although I have read that the movement is so similar to running that not all people consider it a real form of cross training for running. I also love that I can read books or watch Netflix while on my elliptical makes the time fly.

Kim Smith said...

Fitness rules. Best of luck with it. I am failing miserably but you have inspired me!

Nicole Orriëns said...

I'm glad I did that! Who would have tought that someone who used to hate sports can actually inspire others to work out!

Nicole Orriëns said...

I hope that's not right about it not being a proper form of crosstraining! That would totally suck big time.

How do you read a book or watch Netflix while you're on the elliptical? I want to do that too, but I don't know where to put the book.

Nicole Orriëns said...

That jello feeling makes you feel like you've really worked out doesn't it?! I love it. And I'm very happy I've got my very own elliptical machine. It makes it easier for me to actually use it.

Sonya Kendall said...

I'm not a runner, but I enjoy using my elliptical. I took a long break from using it but I can finally run a 5k on it. Hopefully, one day I will try running outside.

Unknown said...

I like ellipticals but don't get as good a workout as other things anymore - thanks for the post!

Nicole Orriëns said...

As long as it kick your butt into shape, that's alright!

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