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Fit in the Fall: 45-Minute Interval Elliptical Workout

in Other, Workouts

Halloween has come and gone.  October really flew by, didn’t it?  Now the month of November is here and I am really starting to get into the holiday spirit.  You see, I am a big-time fan of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  I can easily say that these next couple of months are one of my most favorite times of the year.  The Fall colors – especially on the trees – are gorgeous.  The holiday decor makes me smile.  Our tables are filled with tasty and comforting foods.  Christmas music is playing all around me- and yes, I have already started listening to it (Blake Shelton’s Cheers, It’s Christmas! at that).  The first snowfall is a beautiful sight (but only the first one, let’s not get too carried away ;)).  And most important of all, the holiday season means spending tons of quality time with my family and friends.

Despite all of these wonderful characteristics of the holiday season – or maybe in spite of them – it is still important that we continue to keep our health a top priority.  One way that we can do this is by staying active and fit.  Now that it is getting dark out so early (does anyone else absolutely hate this?) and the weather is turning cold, getting a workout in outside is not as realistic for many of us as it was during the Summer months.  As a result, visiting our local gyms will help keep many of us in shape until Springtime rolls around.  We can take advantage of exercise classes, personal trainers, strength training equipment, and cardio machines, or ideally, a combination of all of these. For those looking to enhance their fitness journey and perhaps guide others, considering a personal trainer certification could be a worthwhile pursuit. This certification opens doors to a deeper understanding of fitness principles and allows individuals to become certified professionals who can inspire and assist others on their fitness journeys

Several weeks ago I began a new relationship with the elliptical machine.  Since my knee will not enable me to run and I am currently experiencing inner shin pain during cycling classes (I swear, my body really dislikes me), I decided to give the elliptical a go.  In the past I always found elliptical workouts to be unbelievably boring and, as a result, never stuck with them.  While I am sure that it doesn’t hurt that the elliptical machines at my local YMCA have TVs built into them ;), I have found that the key to keeping elliptical workouts feeling new and fun is to develop and follow interval plans.

Last week I created a 45-minute interval workout for the elliptical that I tried out during one of my 5:30 a.m. (rough, I know) workouts.

elliptical workout 1

Working out so early in the morning is not always the most fun, but I really enjoyed this one.  The changes in the incline and level kept things interesting, and the periods of sprinting really challenged me and helped push me through the workout.  And a workout it was.  Let’s just say, I was a sweaty mess when I was finished with this one.  It sure feels great to start the day out right with some cardio wearing your favorite seamless workout leggings.  While I may not be able to perform the cardio workouts that I really want to perform right now, I have found that interval elliptical workouts are doing the trick!

Since my handwritten workout on a piece of paper isn’t the prettiest of things, I decided to make my first graphic for all of you:

elliptical workout 1 picmonkey2

If you are already an avid fan of elliptical workouts, I hope you enjoy this one.  And if you are not such a fan of the elliptical, I hope you will give this interval workout a try.  You just may find that the elliptical isn’t so bad after all.  If I can be convinced of that, then I think you can be too!

Let’s make this a great Monday and a fabulous week!

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{ 44 comments… add one }
  • Jackie November 4, 2013, 6:59 am
    I feel your pain being restricted to the elliptical but that's a great workout! Jackie recently posted...Silent SundayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:08 pm
      Yes, I hate not being able to do what I want, but I try to remind myself that I am lucky for what I can do.
  • Julia November 4, 2013, 7:26 am
    Great idea posting an awesome workout! I tend to do the saaaaame workout aaaaaall the time, so changing it up with intervals is brilliant, especially post- Halloween candy :) Julia recently posted...Roasted Cauliflower Soup + BLENDTEC GIVEAWAY!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:09 pm
      Yes, changing it up is the KEY to sticking with it!
  • Lucie November 4, 2013, 7:33 am
    That is so cool that you can incline your Elliptical Trainer! We can only adjust the resistance, I would love to add some incline! Lucie recently posted...A MIMM with countless picturesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:09 pm
      Serious? What a bummer!!! :(
  • Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures November 4, 2013, 9:14 am
    I'm with you on that front! Elliptical workouts seemed to bore me too but when you add stuff like this, they're always great! Good job getting in exercise however you can! Sorry that you have those pesky injuries. :( Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures recently posted...Things I Could Have Done…My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:09 pm
      Yes, they are a MAJOR bummer, but I am lucky that I can at least still do something!
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles November 4, 2013, 10:05 am
    I always prefer to run but on cross train days, I opt for the elliptical. Always on the random setting and then I vary the resistance between 11-17. As long as you stay engaged and push, its a great workout. I can get lazy though and just go through the motions which doesn't give as great of a workout. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Blog Redesign And Printing CouponsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:10 pm
      I get really lazy/dis-engaged when I just do one level, but the intervals help me to focus and enable me to really push myself!
  • Ang @ Nutty for Life November 4, 2013, 10:26 am
    Love doing intervals on the elliptical! I haven't done them in a while, but they're always a good sweat if you actually work, ya know! Cute graphic, too Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted...When Something We Love Scares Us [MIMM #14]My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:11 pm
      They sure are! Working the incline/resistance the right way can get you a GREAT workout! And thanks...it was my first one so it's pretty basic, but I like how it turned out!
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog November 4, 2013, 11:31 am
    You're so right about staying active during the holiday season. Helps to counteract all the yummy treats as well as stress. I tend to get bored on the elliptical too, so I like the idea of the intervals. I'll have to try this out soon. Kudos to you for getting your workout done in the morning. I love exercising in the morning, but I have a hard time sticking with it. Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog recently posted...Mushroom, Green Pepper & Spicy Sausage PizzaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 4, 2013, 12:12 pm
      It took me awhile to get used to working out early, but now that I do I am really enjoying it. It is nice to get it out of the way early on in the day. Let me know if you try this one out!
  • Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections November 4, 2013, 6:54 pm
    This looks awesome! I am also going to start getting real close with the elliptical as it's too cold to run outside and I can only manage to run on the dreadmill like once or twice a week if I must. My elliptical doesn't have a crossramp setting, though, which makes it kind of boring. But it's better than nothing! Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections recently posted...Weekend Fun in BostonMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:40 pm
      Yes, the elliptical is a great cardio machine alternative to the dreadmill...I really do dread the treadmill, too! ;)
  • Tara | Treble in the Kitchen November 4, 2013, 7:25 pm
    I love elliptical interval workouts. When I am trying to multi-task while working out...that's when I use the elliptical. It's great when I am trying to review Bodypump choreography :) Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted...Monumental Half Marathon 2013My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:41 pm
      It definitely is a great machine for multi-tasking....I get some of my TV hours in during my workout! ;)
  • Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers November 4, 2013, 7:34 pm
    Thanks for the workout. I like how easy it is to do intervals on the elliptical. Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers recently posted...Body After Baby: Month OneMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:43 pm
      Intervals are definitely super easy on the elliptical...and are a MUST for my sanity! ;) Let me know if you try it out.
  • Danica @ It's Progression November 4, 2013, 8:05 pm
    I really don't like the fact that it's dark SO early in the evening either...Tonight, the sun set before 5! I am glad that it's lighter earlier in the morning though - that's my favorite time of day :) Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...November: Now in Season!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:44 pm
      I know, right?? It was super rainy today so it made it seem darker even earlier! I was not happy :(.
  • Sharsti November 4, 2013, 9:44 pm
    I'm sorry your body isn't cooperating in all the right ways, but that looks like a killer workout! I'm glad your still able to do other workouts, way to keep going:) Sharsti recently posted...Skirts, sugar and short runsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:49 pm
      Thanks! It is mentally and physically tough, but I am sure trying!!
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl November 5, 2013, 9:41 am
    I absolutely love this time of year too!! Once I get finished with my marathon training, I'll be back to changing things up with the elliptical and this looks like a really challenging workout! Pinning it!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:54 pm
      Thanks, Kim! Let me know if you give it a try! When is your marathon again? I forget! ;)
  • Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen November 5, 2013, 9:54 am
    I like this post! Good work out too. The elliptical is actually my favorite cardio machine. Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen recently posted...A Marvelous Fall SeasonMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:55 pm
      Thanks so much! I have definitely become MUCH more fond of the elliptical over the last few weeks.
  • Nicole @ FruitnFitness November 5, 2013, 1:35 pm
    I really like doing interval workouts, I feel like they keep me wanting to try hard and keep pushing myself through the workout. Sometimes with non-interval workouts I tend to take the lazy side and not workout as hard as I know I can. I like the graphic too! Nicole @ FruitnFitness recently posted...Treat yourself – your worth it!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:55 pm
      I hear ya! I get lazy with dull workouts, too, so intervals are a must!
  • Heather @fitncookies November 5, 2013, 2:27 pm
    Aww I feel the same way as you do about the holidays! Everything about them makes me so happy, and I just love Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't wait to decorate my house and have it all nice and cozy! Love this workout! Saved it for the future when I go to my parents and use the elliptical :) Heather @fitncookies recently posted...Treat Yourself Tuesday and Heart Pumping {Workout}My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:56 pm
      The decorating is the best part! Is it bad that I am already eager to put out Christmas decorations? ;)
  • Jessica @ www.myhealthypassion.com November 5, 2013, 3:29 pm
    Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it!! This workout looks great, I get bored on the elliptical so this would be a fun way to spice it up! and YES, October flew by! I am so ready for Christmas music...anyone else?!?
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:57 pm
      Thanks so much!! I appreciate it :). And yes, Christmas music is a MUST right now. There is just something so happy and comforting about it :).
  • Elise @ 9toFit.com November 5, 2013, 5:40 pm
    Always looking for new gym cardio workouts. I made a few like this too because I just can't stand going at one pace on the elliptical or treadmill. BORING Elise @ 9toFit.com recently posted...Sprint It Out!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 5, 2013, 7:58 pm
      One level/incline is SO boring...the intervals definitely help to spice things up!
  • Shelley @ She Runs for Cupcakes November 5, 2013, 11:50 pm
    This looks like a great workout! I hateeee the elliptical but I may have to give an interval workout like this a try! Sundays are my cross training days so I'll try this out this weekend for sure! :) Shelley @ She Runs for Cupcakes recently posted...Women's Running Scottsdale-Tempe Half Marathon RecapMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 6, 2013, 7:12 am
      The intervals definitely help to keep things interesting! Let me know if you give it a try :).
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats November 6, 2013, 6:00 am
    Looks like a great workout and well done on your first graphic!! Yay :) Love your Instagram side bar, is it new? I am still yet to add one, I haven't found a widget I actually like or that isn't too complicated. Jan @ Sprouts n Squats recently posted...Snack AttackMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl November 6, 2013, 7:11 am
      I added my Instagram side bar a couple of weeks ago. The plug-in for Wordpress that I use is called Alpine PhotoTile for Instagram. You should check it out!
  • Sophie November 9, 2013, 3:33 am
    That's great. Your spirit of workouts in really awesome. I love to follow you instead of being lazy.. You are so cool at your works. Keep rocking!
  • Mary May 15, 2014, 3:45 pm
    I found that when I used to get on an elliptical, I would get bored quickly and rarely pushed myself like I could. A friend told me about some killer elliptical workouts on iTunes. They basically have a top-notch trainer taking you through a HIIT routine for the elliptical. It’s great for weight loss and seriously kicks my butt every time, in just 20 minutes: http://bit.ly/EllipticalExpress_iTunes.
  • Michael June 8, 2021, 12:50 pm
    Hi. Great blog. I've been using Elliptical regularly in my workouts since recently and I also record all the exercises I do. It's a good incentive for the next workout to do more. Michael recently posted...Best Elliptical Under $300My Profile
  • Ashikur Rahman October 3, 2023, 5:16 am
    Hi, Today visited your site, your site product image idea seems lovely. Thanks for the credit. I will definitely try to go someday! Thanks https://oursafetysecurity.com/ancheer-elliptical-review/ Ashikur Rahman recently posted...The 5 Marvel Optics Review for 2023 [Best Guidelines]My Profile
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