I’ve been using the elliptical machine in our basement for the last two years, 4 days a week pretty consistently.

When I first started I could barely last 20 minutes, and even then it was a low intensity and I didn’t travel too far. Before injuring my back, I was able to do 5 miles in 40 minutes with an intensity level of 10, or 6 miles in 45 minutes same intensity.

With my back feeling much better (once I’ve loosened up), I attempted another 5 miles in 40 minutes again. What was different this time is I set the elliptical for an interval workout. 1 minute no intensity where I’d travel at 10mph, and the next minute level 10, trying to stay around 5mph.

Wow what a workout! After 20 minutes I wasn’t able to maintain the 5mph at intensity level 10 and had to be satisfied with over 3.5mph.