I’ve been using an AMT machine at the gym and prefer high resistance. I saw a comment that your heels shouldn’t lift on the elliptical, but when I try to keep my feet flat, it strains my calves and pulls on my Achilles tendons. Should I continue stepping with a motion similar to running, where the heel lifts and comes back down? I’m worried about straining my tendons.
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Do you have narrow hips? I do, and I sometimes feel strange pain in my calves and ankles when using fixed equipment like ellipticals and stationary bikes.
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Absolutely! I struggled with this for a long time when I was younger. As a petite woman, I find that the foot pads on these machines are simply too far apart for me.
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Oh, they are narrow! That might be the problem. Can you adjust for it, or do you avoid that equipment?
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I typically avoid equipment that’s too wide for my hips since I’m short with a gymnast build. For taller machines, I can use a pad for support, but I haven’t found a solution for width issues. It is funny you mentioned it, as I was just considering bringing it up, even though I have never discussed it with anyone before!
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Thanks for mentioning it! Most fitness advice tends to be one-size-fits-all, so I wouldn’t have thought of it otherwise.
Fitness is for everyone, including those with narrow hips, lol! It is important to recognize that everyone’s body is different, and we should embrace those differences as we pursue our health and fitness goals. Whether you are narrow-hipped or have a different body shape, there are always ways to adapt workouts and find exercises that work for you. Let’s celebrate all body types on this fitness journey!
I don’t force my heels to stay pressed down on the step the entire time. It is perfectly normal for there to be a bit of natural movement during exercise. Allowing for some flexibility in how my feet interact with the equipment helps me maintain a more comfortable and effective workout. It’s essential to listen to your body and let it move in a way that feels natural, rather than rigidly adhering to a specific position. Embracing this natural movement can lead to a better overall experience and can help prevent unnecessary strain or discomfort.
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If you are feeling strain in your calves and Achilles, it’s likely because keeping your feet flat isn’t natural for that movement. Let your heels lift slightly, like when walking or running, as forcing them flat might be causing tension. High resistance is great, but try lowering it if it’s causing discomfort. Also, adjust your stance if needed.
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Thank you for the advice! I think that’s what I was doing before without any pain, so I’ll go back to that or try a different machine.
If you are feeling the strain, let your heels lift slightly like when running instead of keeping them flat. Try lowering the resistance, standing upright, and stretching beforehand to ease tension.
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Thanks for the advice! I’ll try stretching and more natural movement.