Arc machine - ThinnerTimes

Gina in NY · 05-01-2007, 05:42 PM

Do any of you have these at your gym? That thing is torture, but I used it the last two days for an hour and burned 760 calories each day. The eliptical I feel is a harder workout, but it says I only burn 700 calories in an hour. I don't know if the machine is lying to me...Maybe they up the calories burned to get you to use it more. I should ask the gym owner.

Isn't it all about heart rate? If my heart rate stays below 130 the whole time on the arc, wouldn't that burn fewer calories than if it goes higher on the eliptical?? I am mystified, and tired to boot.

But I've started my 5-7 of cardio anyway. We'll see if the weight starts coming off now. That is the point!
I bought gobs of SF popsicles and jello and stuff - trying to substitute a few things - get more fluids in.

Got to drop some pounds before one year mark!!

8 weeks!!! Heaven help me!

porshh951 · 05-02-2007, 01:09 AM

Yes it all comes down to heart rate pure and simple. The elipitcal should be giving you a much better workout. YOU can't go by the numbers on those machines. Always always wear you're own heart monitor during a workout. Below 130 is hardly a workout...so yeah the numbers are way off.

I didn't realize you were a scant 8 weeks till you're anniversary. No reason why you can't kick off some more weight before then baring injury ofcourse. Speaking of how is the ole bird doing?

I myself am having some problems with my hip(old injury form when I was a kid). I took 3 days off from workouts and started back slowly with just walking. Sucks nursing a injury.

anyways wear you're own monitor always... only way to really know whats going on. And yes its all about heart rate.

The whole fatburning zone is bs....if you have the means are aren't nursing a injury or anything the higher the heart rate average the better. Period.

I try for a average in the mid 150 range over the course of the entire workout including cool down. I hit 175 plus a few and then during cool down dip to 110 range. Keep you're heart rate average high. I promise you will see the cals come off.

LisaM · 05-02-2007, 05:20 AM

I agree with John - most accurate is always one where you can program your own stats in. If the machine is asking for your weight, you can trust calories burned a little more. The machine looks absolutely cool - hope my bosses are thinking about getting a couple of 'em...

Disagree that it's as simple as heart rate only (you knew I wasn't going to let that one slide, John!). Experts split about 50-50 on this one, according to my study materials. You shouldn't be exceeding your maximum for any length of time, and you can over-exercise. It's part of what causes stalls and plateaus in weight loss, among many other factors.

Gina in NY · 05-02-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaM

I agree with John - most accurate is always one where you can program your own stats in. If the machine is asking for your weight, you can trust calories burned a little more. The machine looks absolutely cool - hope my bosses are thinking about getting a couple of 'em...

Disagree that it's as simple as heart rate only (you knew I wasn't going to let that one slide, John!). Experts split about 50-50 on this one, according to my study materials. You shouldn't be exceeding your maximum for any length of time, and you can over-exercise. It's part of what causes stalls and plateaus in weight loss, among many other factors.

Okay, so both machines, eliptical and arc, I program in my weight and age. There is also resistance to select, level and incline/cross ramp. So that may account for some of the difference too.

I am most comfortable with my heart rate between 120 and 135. I can certainly keep it going at 145-150 for a while, but I only do that when I've slept well and if I'm not about to go to work. I get too "heated up" to cool down fast enough to get to work not a sweaty mess. (The only down side to working out at 5:50 a.m. every day)

porshh951 · 05-02-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaM

I agree with John - most accurate is always one where you can program your own stats in. If the machine is asking for your weight, you can trust calories burned a little more. The machine looks absolutely cool - hope my bosses are thinking about getting a couple of 'em...

Disagree that it's as simple as heart rate only (you knew I wasn't going to let that one slide, John!). Experts split about 50-50 on this one, according to my study materials. You shouldn't be exceeding your maximum for any length of time, and you can over-exercise. It's part of what causes stalls and plateaus in weight loss, among many other factors.

Yeah its okay to disagree. I don't think im over working though. I don't know what a plateau feels like..other than 5-6 days. I think the higher average the better cause no one is going to be able to work out to their maxium heart rate for the entire duration. In fact that might be a little dangerous. Its kinda common sense anyways. The harder you work the more pronounced you're results will be. Fat burning zone is made for people dealing with serious weight issues or injuries. Basically you can't go at a higher rate without injury so you move at a slower rate on purpose. I've done this myself when dealing with a injury. But, if you're body is up to it...always do a cardio rate. The calories will come off then the fat will come off. Look up in this section I made a thread about the fat burning zone and hearts. I forgot what the title was

A 155ish average for a 1.5hr workout is a reeeeally good workout trust me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

Okay, so both machines, eliptical and arc, I program in my weight and age. There is also resistance to select, level and incline/cross ramp. So that may account for some of the difference too.

I am most comfortable with my heart rate between 120 and 135. I can certainly keep it going at 145-150 for a while, but I only do that when I've slept well and if I'm not about to go to work. I get too "heated up" to cool down fast enough to get to work not a sweaty mess. (The only down side to working out at 5:50 a.m. every day)

Also make sure you are warming up and cooling down properly. I allow myself atleast a 5 minute warmup(for me 125BPM) and then my cardio hour or a little more and then a 20 minute cool down where I take my heart rate all the way down to a 100.

I really believe in giving you're body time to get ready to workout and properly letting it come down from a workout.

Gina in NY · 05-02-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshh951

A 155ish average for a 1.5hr workout is a reeeeally good workout trust me.

Also make sure you are warming up and cooling down properly. I allow myself atleast a 5 minute warmup(for me 125BPM) and then my cardio hour or a little more and then a 20 minute cool down where I take my heart rate all the way down to a 100.

I really believe in giving you're body time to get ready to workout and properly letting it come down from a workout.

I am afraid that above 155 goes out of my range in terms of safety for my age and weight - I am, remember MUCH older than you! (Of course, I don't look it...but my heart knows.

)

I do warm up, stretch first too. The last two minutes I slow down to about 110 or 105, but I only have 60 minutes in the gym on work days. Otherwise I'll have to start getting up before 5:00 a.m. I can't make myself do it - I put in so much time and effort already...

Weekends I can do 90 minutes if DH will stay at home and take care of the kids. If I have to bring them to the child care at the gym, I still only get like, 70 minutes.

I will switch to two hours a day during the summer - plus I may be teaching classes by then too. Should be able to drop some weight between when school lets out and my PS too.

Luna Lurker · 05-02-2007, 07:25 PM

What is an 'arc machine'? Is it like a gazelle?

porshh951 · 05-03-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

I am afraid that above 155 goes out of my range in terms of safety for my age and weight - I am, remember MUCH older than you! (Of course, I don't look it...but my heart knows.

)

I do warm up, stretch first too. The last two minutes I slow down to about 110 or 105, but I only have 60 minutes in the gym on work days. Otherwise I'll have to start getting up before 5:00 a.m. I can't make myself do it - I put in so much time and effort already...

Weekends I can do 90 minutes if DH will stay at home and take care of the kids. If I have to bring them to the child care at the gym, I still only get like, 70 minutes.

I will switch to two hours a day during the summer - plus I may be teaching classes by then too. Should be able to drop some weight between when school lets out and my PS too.

Well it sounds to me like you've got you're system down pat. I wouldn't change a thing. Its nice to hear you are properly warming up and cooling down. Thats important. When summertime hits sounds like you will be able to devote even more time to it...you're results will just start to become even crazier when that happens.

Last night I averaged a 157 heart rate for a 2:15 minute workout. haha crazy I know. But, tell that to the 2270cals I burned before shutting off my monitor.
muahah im evvvvvvvvil.

you're doing great. Always always always wear you're own heart monitor. I don't care if the machine has you plug in you're info or not. Something strapped around you're test the entire time is going to give you the best read possible. So always use you're own.

Gina in NY · 05-03-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshh951

Well it sounds to me like you've got you're system down pat. I wouldn't change a thing. Its nice to hear you are properly warming up and cooling down. Thats important. When summertime hits sounds like you will be able to devote even more time to it...you're results will just start to become even crazier when that happens.

Last night I averaged a 157 heart rate for a 2:15 minute workout. haha crazy I know. But, tell that to the 2270cals I burned before shutting off my monitor.
muahah im evvvvvvvvil.

you're doing great. Always always always wear you're own heart monitor. I don't care if the machine has you plug in you're info or not. Something strapped around you're test the entire time is going to give you the best read possible. So always use you're own.

I do wear my heart monitor, but I must admit, after I set up the watch part, I lost the directions and haven't adjusted anything since I weighed 240 pounds, so I figure it is useless. I know I need to write to Polar and get another copy of the instructions...

But the machines at the gym read the output from the strap, so I just go by that.

Gina in NY · 05-03-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna Lurker

What is an 'arc machine'? Is it like a gazelle?

Look up Cybex, Arc trainer - there is a video. I use the arc cross trainer (with the moving arm things) Looks ridiculous on the video - maybe I'll stop using it!