Elliptical vs running

Hunter2224
Hunter2224 Posts: 71 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
I can go for 20 minutes straight at 60 rpms on an elliptical. How would this compare with running?

Replies

  • SwindonJogger
    SwindonJogger Posts: 325 Member
    The 2 are not really comparable. Running could be jogging at an easy pace or sprinting up a steep hill. Both will have drastically different levels of effort.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I don't think there's any comparison, personally. Before I started running, I was using the ARC trainer for 45-60 minutes per day, 7 days a week at 140 steps per minute. I did that for 6+ months and then started Couch25K. I could only run for 90 seconds straight before I thought I would die. lol. I progressed pretty quickly, but I was still shocked at how different running was from busting it on the ARC trainer.
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    It doesn't compare at all. Not one bit.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Compare now? Like calorie burn?
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    Next time see how many miles you covered on the elliptical, and then go out and run those miles. You'll soon find out how it compares.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/486641-how-much-of-a-distance-equals-a-mile-on-an-elliptical/
  • Fit4LifeAR
    Fit4LifeAR Posts: 233 Member
    It does not compare, they are two totally different things.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    If you're talking about fitness..............running will kick your butt much harder. It's one thing to have a machine assist you with your weight and another thing to carry your own weight out on the road.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • Hunter2224
    Hunter2224 Posts: 71 Member
    Okay thanks. I was just curious as I haven't had the chance to try and compare them. I would love to start running but it's too cold outside. What could I do to help get in shape to start running when it gets warmer?
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Hunter2224 wrote: »
    . What could I do to help get in shape to start running when it gets warmer?
    Run outside right now.

    There's no such thing as too cold, just wrong clothes.
    When is in the teens and 20s F, I wear a set of tights, shorts, long sleeve shirt and a running jacket. My shoes cost more than the rest of the outfit.

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    dress warmer

    or treadmill. i've been rather lazy about being outside. all the layers...
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Hunter2224 wrote: »
    Okay thanks. I was just curious as I haven't had the chance to try and compare them. I would love to start running but it's too cold outside. What could I do to help get in shape to start running when it gets warmer?

    Never too cold...... you just need to dress properly!

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  • Hunter2224
    Hunter2224 Posts: 71 Member
    Looks like you have tempratures similar to the ones we are having.
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,401 Member
    CollieFit wrote: »
    Next time see how many miles you covered on the elliptical, and then go out and run those miles. You'll soon find out how it compares.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/486641-how-much-of-a-distance-equals-a-mile-on-an-elliptical/

    Just a general note. Though that article explains how to calculate in some cases, it doesn't apply to machines with ramp changes, or some other machines ever. Our elliptical estimates based on both ramp and resistance along with cadence and estimates a miles equivalent effort. So in the case of our machine even at a set ramp angle strides and miles can vary based on resistance.



    As for the OP, any decent cardio machine will help with cardio base, but not translate as far as muscle groups, total effort, etc directly. Even mixing it up on our elliptical, it uses muscle unique to the machine that you might not even notice running. And when you go out and run, you'll find muscles the elliptical doesn't use the same way.

    That being said, lots of machines can help build your cardio base if you use them. I've done a lot of work on our elliptical and it improves my biking pace. Though I haven't really run in years (until today) I'm sure it helped there as well.

    Depending on the type of info the machine spits out, you might be able to use that to build up on your cardio in general. But that varies machine to machine, and as such how useful it is varies as well. If the machine has limited data outputs, using a heart rate monitor during steady state exercise will give you an idea of how hard you are working in relation to your heart rate max and physical capabilities.
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