I am a personal trainer...have been for over 10 years. I don't recommend the elliptical for CFers.
Although any cardio at 60% and above your max HR will move a lot of air and get your heart pumping, I don't like it for us because:
1: It's not applicable to everyday life. The movement is a simulation of walking/running and so, therefore, you don't work the body the way it was meant to be worked. There is no real strength gained. No bone density increase. It's not functional.
but more importantly,
2: You don't have the pounding on your body that CFers need. As long as your joints are pain free, walking (on an incline) or running is superior for CFers for this reason alone. It's almost like cardio and the vest all in one. We need the impact.
This goes for all cardio...bikes are no good but stair climbing on the step mill is great---not the stairmaster where there is no impact on the body.
Hope this helps....again, just my opinion.
Although any cardio at 60% and above your max HR will move a lot of air and get your heart pumping, I don't like it for us because:
1: It's not applicable to everyday life. The movement is a simulation of walking/running and so, therefore, you don't work the body the way it was meant to be worked. There is no real strength gained. No bone density increase. It's not functional.
but more importantly,
2: You don't have the pounding on your body that CFers need. As long as your joints are pain free, walking (on an incline) or running is superior for CFers for this reason alone. It's almost like cardio and the vest all in one. We need the impact.
This goes for all cardio...bikes are no good but stair climbing on the step mill is great---not the stairmaster where there is no impact on the body.
Hope this helps....again, just my opinion.