It’s been said that men will not ask for directions nor ask for help…
I don’t know who said it, but that’s what I’ve been told by women over my lifetime. So, I’m in the gym yesterday and I’m doing my usual treadmill thing. After 30 minutes I got bored and hopped off. While approaching the stairs to go downstairs to the weight machines, I glance to my right, which is where the elliptical machines are. I glance because I don’t want to stare at someone while they’re working out. Many times I’ve approached the elliptical machines and wondered how to operate them, but was too manish to ask for assistance.
When I see someone approach an employee of the gym and ask a question, I notice that the employee hovers around and ultimatley pitches his services. Even if you say “No thanks”, they can be relentless. I understand that they have to make a living also, so I try to avoid them and not make eye contact. This happened to my wife just the other day. She wanted to know how to work a machine and along with the info, she received “the pitch”.
I don’t want to ask someone already on a machine to stop what they’re doing and give me some instructions. I don’t want to ask a passerby how to use it neither. I don’t want to make anyone lose their focus by sidetracking them with my simple question. Lastly, I don’t want to spend 15 mins on one trying to figure it out, looking silly stopping and starting. Sounds like I have issues don’t it?
Sure looks like a good workout though…..
Leave a comment and tell me what you think………
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Wow that sounds really aggravating. I would hate to ask a question to then have to hear an entire spiel about stuff I could care less about.
Maybe you should try to look on youtube to see if they have an instructional vids on how to use an elliptical.
I can tell you personall it’s not as hard as it looks. Basically you get on, put each foot into the corresponding foothold and walk. Once you get used to the feeling of walking on the elliptical then I would incoporate your arms by holding onto the arm bars (I think that is what they are called).
P.S. I just did a quick search of youtube and found this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGLD-0b1LV0&feature=related
Randi, thanks alot. I’m gonna try it out today.. I’ll let u know what happens..
Hey there! I found you through Josie’s blog! I wanted to comment on your elliptical question! The machine is an inoperable beast. Just kidding, of course! It’s a very fluid motion and it might take some getting used to if you’re used to walking!
Climb aboard the elliptical and find a comfortable foot position. Start moving your feet, and the machine should automatically turn on within a few seconds. Most machines have a ‘quick start’ or ‘manual’ button that you push. With a quick start, you just start moving, and it may prompt you to input some settings as you go along. With a manual start, you should be able to enter your weight, age, the desired level of resistance, how long you want to go, etc. It all depends on the machine.
I’d recommend keeping an eye on your heart rate as you go along, especially the first few times you use it. This machine may have a lesser impact on your joints, but it also packs quite a punch in the ’sweating your booty off’ department. My trainer pulled me off the first time I used it; I was only on there for 3 minutes and my heart rate hit 200 – it was kinda scary, but now, I dominate that machine!
Every machine is different, so if you push a button and don’t get what you want, and you’re not sure how to fix it, just hit ‘reset’ and start over. Don’t worry about it – sirens and red lights will NOT go off if you hit the wrong button! For me, that was a fear, that somehow, everyone in the gym would know that I screwed up. It took me awhile to get over that, but once you get used to it, you’ll be a champ!
Hope this helps!
Erin
Thanks Erin, I do need something that will take it easy on these old bones.
Okay, you have issues.
I bet if you just hopped on you could figure it out in a few minutes. At the very least you can hit the “quickstart” button they all have and just start moving. It’s pretty easy to figure out. You should try it!
I think Mary is right, I think you would figure it out in a heartbeat. I understand wanting to avoid the pitch though. Maybe just keep an eye out for a time when no one is on them and just hop on and figure it out.
By the way, thanks for the comment on my blog. There aren’t many of us guys out here blogging our weight loss. We are a scarce breed.
By the way, I was always called ‘Big Steve’. It’s funny how I never thought of that as anything but a compliment. I am not sure it was always meant that way though. Lately I have been called ‘Slim’ a few times. I think I like that better.
Hey Steve, you and Mary are both right. I’ll go to the gym this afternoon, when it’s not so busy and tackle it. It’s funny, when you’re overweight and you’re new to a gym, you feel everyone is watching you. I feel like that less and less as time goes on, but it’s like being the new kid in class.
I’m with Mary. Hop and make it work. I’ve never used an elliptical. No gym membership. Envious I am.
Don’t be a victim of gymrat anxiety! One should never be ashamed to ask questions. If you like low impact cardio, the elliptical can’t be beat.
I tried it today it. 2 minutes & I was done. I felt like I did 100 squats. I went back to the treadmill….
It’s gonna take some getting used to. I noticed that I’m not as agile as i used to be. My knees are stiff, so it felt awkward. I think I need to start a stretching routine.
Erin, I tried it for 2 whole minutes. I think I might have used the wrong machine. L.A. Fitness has several types of elliptical machines and I used the big one in the corner. The foot part is molded in a big oval with raised edges. I have big feet, so there was no room for my feet to adjust. I’ll try the machine that has the flat ski looking thing next time.
“I tried it today it. 2 minutes & I was done. I felt like I did 100 squats. I went back to the treadmill…”
Yes, this is why I’ve named that machine the “spawn of satan”. The very first time I got on the elliptical I thought I was gonna die. My legs were on FIRE. I wanted to stop after 30 seconds but my sister kept saying “keep going” and I ended up lasting about a minute and a half. My sister on the other hand lasted for over 20 minutes. I asked her how in the world she did it and she told me when she first started she couldn’t go that long either, but each time got easier and easier for her.
Well, I told myself that I wouldn’t let that machine WIN so I made it a goal that I would conquer it someday….each time I go to the gym I try for a little longer….2 minutes and then 3 minutes and then 5. The longest I’ve went so far was NINE minutes which was a huge accomplishment for me. My goal is to be able to go an hour. I’m still a long ways away from that.
So my advice to you would be to keep at it. It IS a great workout and I burn way more calories on it than I do the treadmill. I’m sorry you feel like you can’t ask for help in your gym. I am so blessed to have a small family run gym that I go to and not one like that.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Mike!!
It’s a start, Steve! You did it, and you CAN do it! Just keep coming back to it, you already conquered the beast by getting on!! It will get easier, ok wait. Not necessarily easier, but your endurance will get better and you will get stronger.
The elliptical is a great machine, even if Josie calls it the Spawn of Satan!
Erin