I've been looking for a plain old stepper, but it seems all the stores have replaced them with elliptical trainer.

My goal is two things:
1. Good aerobic workout
2. Pre-exhaust muscles of lower body before using weights.

I liked the stepper - well, hated using it - but it was the best machine I've used to accomplish this task.

So how effective are the ellipticals? Anything to look out for when trying them out?

They are very effective but not has effective as the treadmill!! The elliptical is a good low impact cardio machine and has I get older I am drawn to it. They also come with the bar on the side that will give your arms a little work out. Make sure you take a test drive on more than one when you make a purchase!! They all seem different and feel different when you are exercising. Let me know how it goes. I saw one a Wal-Mart for a little over 200.

I have a nordic trak elliptical and treadmill.  I feel the elliptical is more of a workout as for wearing me out.  It is great on the joints though.  My wife thinks the elliptical is easier and cannot stand the treadmill.  Definetely follow the advice above, try SEVERAL out b /c they all feel different.  Once you find the one that works for you, you are good to go.  Hope this helps.

We have a Nordic Trac as well, great workout and it doesn't kill you unless you let it. IE: the easy setting is actually easy...

Quoted: They are very effective but not has effective as the treadmill!! The elliptical is a good low impact cardio machine and has I get older I am drawn to it. They also come with the bar on the side that will give your arms a little work out. Make sure you take a test drive on more than one when you make a purchase!! They all seem different and feel different when you are exercising. Let me know how it goes. I saw one a Wal-Mart for a little over 200.

The arm work out is one of the things I'm looking to avoid. Once I get set up, I'll be doing speed bag work on my chest days for some aerobic and pre-exhaustion effects. But I really don't want to work out the arms on what should be an off day for them.

Just use light weight to pre-exhaust that target muscle in your legs. Cardio will burn up your muslce glycogen stores, and leave your muscles with less energy to lift. Do your cardio after you lift when your body is running low on muscle glycogen which will cause it to try and burn more fat instead.

Just use light weight to pre-exhaust that target muscle in your legs. Cardio will burn up your muslce glycogen stores, and leave your muscles with less energy to lift. Do your cardio after you lift when your body is running low on muscle glycogen which will cause it to try and burn more fat instead.

+1.  

Ellipticals give a good cardio workout (I use them to cross train for running) but it is adifferent thing when you are talking about pre-exhaustion for weight lifting.  

Another reason to do cardio after you lift weights is that (in theory anyway) it gets the blood pumping and flushes out some of the lactic acid.  Or just do cardio on a separate day.