Ellipticals - with and without arms?

T

tonyw3026

New member
I am new to exercise machines and have been using two Precor models, one with arms and one without.
Everything I read says that the one with arms will burn more calories and that seems to be what the two calorie counters are telling me but I don't have to work anything like as hard on the one with arms to get the same calories. My heart rate is much lower for the same calories.
It seems to me that the machine arms are actually pushing my own arms round rather than the other way. The arms seem to be no more than window dressing. I have to set the resistance on the arm machine higher to get the same heart rate and "sweat level"

I am thinking of buying my own machine and so far I am thinking that the arms are a waste of time.
Any comments?

Tony
 
Well, im sure you realize that by using your arms you are then burning more calories .. its pretty obvious to anyone i know ...

I mean moving the legs is never gonna burn as much as moving both arms and legs ..
 
But surely I have to listen to my body as well? If the machine with arms says I am using more calories than the no-arm machine even though it feels a lot easier, then something doesn't add up? Also, if my arms are just flailing around driven by the machine (ie by my legs) then why are the arms helping to use calories?

Tony
 
I like the one without arms myself, and I burn more calories on it as well, since I can do a harder workout with it.
 
it probably feels easier because its more of a natural motion for your arms probably that holding something static.
 
The perceived effort on an arm machine is less because you are incorporating more muscle groups. When I am working out and notice my pulse dropping, I make a consious effort to get my stomach muscles involved more to help pull the arms. It feels like I am doing less work but it makes my pulse rate increase which means I am burning more calories also.
 
Mypoint is that the ACTUAL effort is lower with the arm machine, not just the perceived effort, because my pulse rate and sweat level is lower even though the machine is showing more calories.
I never feel as though I am doing any work with my arms, they just feel to be driven by the machine (ie driven by my legs) I find it hard to believe that just because my arms are moving I am consuming more calories, sureley I have to feel some effort going into my arms and an increase in pulse?
When I increase the resistance I can feel the extra effort needed by my leg muscles immediately but my arms just carry on flailing around and seem to be contributing nothing. I still believe in the old "no pain no gain" concept.
 
I would certainly lend more credibility to pulse rate than the machine calorie counter. If you are more comfortable, working harder and expending more energy on the armless machine then I would think it would be a more suitable machine for you.
 
Tony whenever i do my 30 minutes on my gazelle i do tend TO WORK LESS or thats what i feel but i do burn more calories on my gazelle then on my bike simply because both arms and legs are working thus i get a better workout, maybe try to do intervals that always does the trick to get me a challenging workout. :D

The best tool for measuring is listening to your body and doing what makes you feel like your benefiting from the exercise so if the armless one works you better do that one.

I like busting my bike but soon i will do cardio on my gazelle will let you all know how i do.
 
I know what you mean by feeling like your arms are just flailing along with the machine. I have to make a conscious effort to pull or push with the arms. On the elliptical I typically do 5 minutes fast with just legs, then 5 minutes pulling on the arms then 5 minutes pushing. Each set helps me in a different way.

If you feel that the arms aren't doing you much good - then don't use them. I know that my heart rate goes way up if I stop using my arms, and it goes even higher if I hold my hands behind my back. It forces me to get all of my balance from my core and shoots my heart rate up really fast. Because I ride horses I work a lot on core balance.

Do whatever works for you. If you are working harder on the machine without the arms and you prefer it, then go ahead. If you decide later that you want to use your arms you can just let go of the bar and move them like you would when you are running.
 
like some others have said, do what feels like you are benefiting more from. if thats the one w/o arms, do the one w/o arms.
 
Llamabean said:
I know that my heart rate goes way up if I stop using my arms, and it goes even higher if I hold my hands behind my back.
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Exactly!

I have read a few negative comments about ellipticals as a means to losing weight and it's not suprising if users are just believing the calorie counter when using the arms. The arms are for people who expect an easy route to weight loss and don't pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. It helps to sell the machines.
I am a beginner to exercise machines but I am glad I latched on to this early.
 
I recently bought an elliptical about two years ago. I have one with the arms. Although, I'm not fond of the elliptical and haven't seen great results I'd say get one with the arms because it always made me work harder. It's very easy to get lazy on an elliptical so if your constantly working your arms your legs go at the same speed.
 
tonyw3026 said:
The arms are for people who expect an easy route to weight loss and don't pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. It helps to sell the machines.
I am a beginner to exercise machines but I am glad I latched on to this early.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. You have found the one with arms doesn't work for you. That's fine. But each of our body mechanics are unique and different machines work for different people. What I'm trying to say is there is no 'right' and 'wrong' in this situation or between these two machines. It's what works for each of us individually.
Happy work-outs:p
 
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