STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

age old workout question

Elle · Hermes

Congratulations! I my elliptical!

I tend to bulk up in the thighs easily too, but have never had that issue with the elliptical. Even at a higher resistance, it works the backs of your legs, inner thighs, and butt the most (more at a higher incline even, if yours is moveable). The first couple weeks I used mine my quads got really fatigued in the first 10 minutes or so, but not since then. And they took on a more lifted sort of appearance, as opposed from the bulky one I get from running or lifting weights.

I like to keep my resistance low personally (anything higher than 2 hurts my knees) and go for higher incline and more speed/time. If I want to up the resistance, I do it as a workout for my arms and try to use them for a minute or so instead of mostly my legs before going back to a lower resistance. Mine also has pre-built 'workouts', but I don't use them. I just turn it on and go!

blubirde · Chanel

I don't know the answer to your question but a personal trainer once told me that if you stretch thoroughly afterwards, it keeps you from getting bulked up muscles (arms, legs, necks, whatever). She was a PT at Gold's so take the advice for what it's worth. At the very least stretching can't hurt.

dangergirl · Kate Spade

using lower resistance and doing a longer workout will build endurance and tone (less bulk), whereas high resistance for a shorter time will build strength (more bulk). hope that helps :)

ILoveChoo · Hermes

thanks! I've been keeping the resistance around 3 and I swear I've already slimmed down after a week. The jeans that only came halfway up my thighs two months ago fit me again now! The elliptical is the only thing I can credit for this, because my eating habits have stayed the same.

dangergirl · Kate Spade

cool well done!