Arc trainer vs. Elliptical machine
Hi everyone,
I've been doing both machines at the gym. The Arc trainer is easier,, I can stay on it a lot longer and I actually like it better. However the elliptical has arms, and I do like to add the arm motion since I have LE. But I find it MUCH harder to do. Literally, after 1 min, I'm exhausted. I have worked my way up to 4 mins on it, yet I can easily do 10 on the Arc trainer.
Does anyone know the difference between the 2 machines? I've looked around and it seems the Arc is easier on the knees, but supposed to be uncomfortable for short people. Well, I'm short and I like it.
anyone else use either of these machines and your thoughts on them?
thanks!
Comments
-
Arc trainer is a trademarked name by Cybex. The stride on Arc trainer is slightly different than on elliptical. But many people call the Arc trainer an elliptical too. My gym has Arc trainers with the hand sticks and without. I always prefer the one without hand motion, so much easier for me, I hate upper body exercises in general. I am short too (5' 1'') so maybe the hand grips are just way too high for us. -
I try for the cybex arc trainer with the arms that move. I set it on an interval program. I use the arms when the resistence increases. I find this takes some of the weight off my feet which tend to go numb after 40minutes or so. There is an "arc trainer" without arms but I don't like it.
If that machine is unavailable, I use a precor eliptical without arms. My feet don't go numb on the eliptical but it is harder on the knees. I usually do an interval program on this machine as well. Since I don't use the arms on the eliptical, I avoid the elipticals with them. It bothers me to have them going back & forth.
I'm kinda medium height 5'5"
-
The stride is different with Arc trainers from elliptical, the foot paddles do not circle (or elliptical!) around like on the elliptical, which may be why many find it easier on the knees.
I like arc trainers, though only ever used the arm ones. My new gym does not have any unfortunately so now I only get to use them when I am travelling
I am 5'4" . I do find the arc trainer gets my HR up faster than most ellipticals. For ellipticals, well, there is a lot of variation from brand and model to brand and model. Some I enjoy working out on, some I avoid! I have very good aerobic/cardio fitness (I do about 1.5-2 hours of cardio very regularly (6-7 days a week) via, running, cycling, elliptical, etc) but there are some elliptical machines that just seem awkward and exhausting to use!
I always use machines with arms, but I switch on and off between using the arms depending on resistance and intensity.
I don't think it matters what you use, really. Use whichever you enjoy and will have you on it!
-
Elliptical machine works for me well. I am losing the weight and burning calories faster than my previous machine. I can work with my upper and lower body at the same time. It helps me build muscles and get the right body shape.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team