Monday, October 20, 2008

The Elliptical Machine Sucks

Exactly one year ago I was in Tampa, Florida, at a seminar. Between sessions, a physician from Georgia stopped me in the hall and said, "Hey Craig, you were right about those crosstrainer machines. I've had your program for a few months now and I'm getting better results with the bodyweight circuits."

It's always great to meet clients, and I was curious to find out how he heard of me. Turns out, he found me through Google, landing on an article I wrote about "how elliptical machines (crosstrainers) suck for fat loss".

That's right, I think those machines are almost a complete waste of time.

"I was using one of those machines for a long time and was wondering why I wasn't getting any results," the physician continued, "I'm so glad I found your program and now I'm using your bodyweight circuits", he added.

I told him how I wasn't surprised. In fact, I've never personally known anyone to get great results with one of those crosstrainer machines. Now I've watched really lean people use them, but they didn't get lean with those machines.

I know some people will be angry with what I have to say because they like exercising on the crosstrainer, but the truth is that they just don't work as well as harder forms of interval training.

Hands down, the TT Bodyweight Cardio circuit is more effective and harder to do than the crosstrainer machine. To me, the crosstrainer is just the easy way out.

And hey, any time you are traveling or want a break from regular interval training workouts, you can use TT Bodyweight Cardio instead.

You'll get this workout as a bonus when you grab your copy of the Turbulence Training for Fat Loss program.

And you can get TT for Fat Loss for less than the cost of a one month gym membership. That also beats shelling out $1000 or more for a crappy crosstrainer for your home gym.

Click here to get started with Turbulence Training:

=> http://www.turbulencetraining.com/GetStarted

Let me know how it goes for you,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training

PS - Lose Over 5 Pounds Per Month & Change Your Body With Only 3 Short TT Workouts Per Week...

"I'm 25 and was seriously overweight at the start of this year. I've been doing the TT for Fat Loss Workouts and after 5 months of training. I've lost nearly 28lbs. I want to take this opportunity to thank Craig for making your knowledge so accessible and your articles and blogs that not only make us think about our lifestyles, but encourage us to change them for better health."
Kevin Thow, Sydney, Australia

"Turbulence Training makes so much sense and i really enjoy the different workouts so never get bored. From an aussie that was looking for something other than just another weight workout with the same old moves this has been a real eye opener for me and i have been telling my friends just how great the TT method is."
Kelli Tomkins, Australia

"I lost 14 pounds this month and the weight is just falling off me. My wife says I now look like when we first met and I still have more to go. I can fit into my old jeans again which is a big deal for me. I just cut back on starches and bread and do your routine 2-3 times a week. I never thought in a million years that just 10-20 minutes of weight training followed by some cardio would get me such steady results. I even cheat a bit on the weekends."
Billy Williams

Click here to get started with Turbulence Training:

=> http://www.turbulencetraining.com/GetStarted

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Craig,

I definitely agree with you about elliptical and other machines not being a first choice of exercise on a fat burning journey. I was wondering though, other than TT bodyweight intervals and not being able to go outside for sprints at times, what do you think about using the elliptical to do your interval training? Although its not first choice, do you feel it can be effective?

Craig Ballantyne, CTT, Certified Turbulence Trainer said...

i wouldn't expect much. but hope for the best!

Anonymous said...

I lost 25 pounds by doing interval training on an elliptical and by eating properly. I found it to be very effective and the weight stayed off. I became toned in my legs, hips, arms and abs. I understand that you are promoting your product and you have to do your best to sell it. But to say it sucks completely without taking note that it actually does work for some people just doesn't seem right.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy the elliptical machine, I know the results are not that great, but using it as a part of your fitness routine is fun!