I like the ET.  I run, swim and will start biking today, but I really like
the low impact of the ET.  I would do as you stated and start out slow.
Work your way up to 20 minutes and then 30.  If you can do 30 it will be a
big help, but no rush to get there.  I have been told it takes 17-18 minutes
for your body to start to burn fat or some such thing, I can't remember.  So
every minute after 18 would seem to be a big deal or at least that is how I
looked at it.  I think it is a great idea, but if you have pains of any kind
take it easy.  When I am running or whatever and I have pain that is more
then just muscle fatigue, I will stop early that day.  So far, injury
free....and yes I am knocking on wood.

Enjoy the workouts.  I just listen to music and daydream, but confess it is
a little boring no matter what.  I cover up the computer, so I don't know
how much time is left.  You do feel great after it is over though.

Curt

Hi Bear -

I've not done much ET work...so I really can't speak to it.  However, if you
like it, it can work for you.  I'd certainly suggest you go slow and work
into it, paying lots of attention to how it makes your spine feel.

I can't blame anyone for hating the stationary bike.  I hate it too, but I
force myself to do it.  It works.
What I really like is the Concept 2 rower.  I can't speak to how that would
be for your spine, either, but it would seem like not the best of ideas for
you (you can do a search for them on e-bay -- if I had enough room I'd buy
one).

As for keeping it interesting -- well, I do 40 to 50 minutes on a stationary
once or twice a day.  I'm lucky to be able to afford stuff like my 30 GB
iPod -- and I've converted over 200 CDs into MP3.  So I strap that thing
around my waist and play the tunes -- fast ones.  I basically ride to the
beat -- or double the beat.  It's the only way I can  get through it.  BTW,
I never listen to music on my road bike or while lifting.  I feel both of
those activities require concentration.  I do listen when I walk (I'll start
doing that again soon just to exercise some different muscles).

What is the reason you can't walk?  I don't think running would be a great
idea....

I had issues with the ET - but that's because my legs are so darned
short.  All my height is in my torso, and the ET machines at my health
club are not adjustable.  I can't explain, other than to say that I was
getting serious strain trying to reach the darned handles - I could get
close to them, but then I was right up against the front edges of the
platforms, and getting shin splints.  Finally my trainer said that
perhaps it wasn't the best choice for me, and I went to the treadmill,
ramping it up quite a bit, and trying for faster, more difficult
work-outs.  I rather think that response would be less common for
someone whose legs were of reasonable length in proportion to their
bodies - but don't quote me.

Still, it felt good if I didn't work my arms - if I just held on (and I
still do this) and used the leg portion only, it's not as
cross-training, but it's a different work-out.

I'm not a fitness guru, but I also have spine issues  (lower back, upper
back and neck).  My therapist had me on the ET, and I loved it.  I wish
I had $5000 to blow so I could get my own.  I think only you will know
how it works for your own problem.  I would think that if you take it
nice and gentle, you should be able to tell.

Are you also doing a lot of core exercises?  Though my back is nowhere
near as good as it was 30 years ago, I have a lot less pain when I do my
core work because the muscles around the area help stabilize the whole area.

How to make recumbent bikes interesting?  I don't have one, and would
love to try it.  I imagine that watching a good movie or tv show might
help you forget that you're also exercising at the same time.  There is
one thing I used to do to motivate myself to do my weight training.  I'd
go to the library and get out a book on tape.  And then I'd allow myself
to listen to it only when I was doing my exercises.  It took me a couple
of weeks to get through a 6 hour book then, which is ok.  Hmmm, maybe I
need to go do that again.

Rebecca

Brother also bought this machine. He was very badly out of shape with
a large amount of weight gained quickly. He immediately hurt his back
and didn't use it for quite a while. I'm not sure if the thing gets
used or not now, but I can tell you he isn't losing much weight (on
and off slimfast). I would not be surprised if it is a glorified
clothes rack. He's had for about two years.

DiGiTAL_ViNYL (no email)
350/325/Mar-315/200
Atkins since 1/12/2004

I use a Johnson 5100 E.T.  I also have chronic back issues which are
fortunately not serious..but can be really painful.  I have a recurring
herniated disc / pinched nerve  and sometimes have sciatica issues.  Those
people who have back issues know you always have back issues...its just a
matter of how long you can go without aggravating them.

The ET was at times causing me some lower back / buttock pain.  As a result,
often I use the ET with my arms stationary on the handle bars as opposed to
the moving handle bars which I found caused my body to lunge forward and
strain my back.  I also try to keep my back as straight and in-line as
possible.  Sometimes I put my arms in a jogging position and move them free
style - i.e. not holding on to anything.  The key for me is to consciously
keep my body very straight, shoulders square, chest extended etc. I also
tended to use simple fat burning programs much more at the beginning as
opposed to higher resistance programs.  I felt the leg strengthening
programs tended to be much harder on my back.

I am finding now  that I can use the ET more traditionally as it was
designed.  My current regime now is 20 minutes interval training, 20 minutes
fat burn, 10-20 minutes cardio.  During this workout, about 20% of the time
is spent with my arms on the moving handles.

I have approached my back issues gradually, keeping in mind as I lost some
of the excess baggage around my stomach and gradually working up on the
trainer, it all goes hand in hand.  So far so good with no real back issues!

I personally think its the best all-around exercise equipment on the market.

Louis

My experience with an elliptical machine has been very positive.  We
ended up buying a nice one (from LifeFitness) and it's fantastic.  It
has made a big difference in weight loss.

I play racquetball, volleyball, mountainbike and snowboard (depending
on season), and I actually look forward to using this because it is so
low impact.  Could it make your problem worse?  I don't know ... it's
likely a YMMV thing....

ack!  I'm hardly a fitness guru - more like an enthusiastic neophyte.  But
evidently I can bull$#!+ with the best of 'em.  :-)

However, I can't even really bloviate convincingly about your question,
Bear.  I love the elliptical - it's my favorite cardio machine.  But I don't
have back problems - I have a very strong back, but very crunchy busted
knees.  So the elliptical is perfect for me - I can use it at a jogging
pace, a much quicker stride than my knees can handle on the treadmill - so I
work much harder on it than I do while walking.  That's why I like it.
Having read Jenny's stories about it, I would be very leery of using it if I
had a bad back.  Maybe a good idea would be to try it gently and for a short
while at first, and see how it feels.  But listen to the real gurus, not me!

carla

That's probably a good plan... start off with a low amount of time and
intensity and then gradually move up. Just be sure to do plenty of
stretching afterwards.  A lot of people I encounter get tight backs
due to thigh, overworked hamstrings.  If the machine you're using has
the movable handles, you might want to skip those for a while -- I
could see how they might make you over twist your torso and therefore
over work your back.

Look into doing interval style training on the bikes after you have a
good
cardio base established.  Intervals training keeps you mentally
engaged and
therefore makes the time go a little faster.