[Apus^2]

Ok, I'm stuck up here in a work camp around Ft. Mac, Alberta for the next two weeks. My choices at the gym to begin base training are an elliptical orbiter, recumbent bike and a stair machine. I've been hitting the elliptical, but I was wondering if it would be better to spend more time on the recumbent. Any thoughts?

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[Carbonfiberboy]

If by stair machine, you mean a Stairmaster stepmill - the thing like an escalator - that's the ticket. Really better than anything else off the bike, IMHO. I like long steady-state Z2 and Z3 workouts on it. 30 minutes to an hour and a half. I'll use the elliptical if someone's on the stepmill. If you can't bike at all, use all three devices, though, to get variety. Variety is very good during base.

[jrn]

You can get an amazing aerobic workout on an elliptical while the stairmaster seems to be much better for an anaerobic workout. I'd mix it up with both if I were you.

[flip18436572]

You can create whatever you want with an elliptical. You can have faster pace and lower resistance or add resisitance and elevation, depending upon the elliptical. They are a great way to burn calories and get a good aerobic work out. My quads are dead when I am done in 50 minutes.