Elliptical vs. treadmill vs. stationary bike
healthy491
Posts: 384 Member
Which is the best machine to burn lots of calories and tone legs?
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Replies
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Which one can you do the longest at the highest intensity?
The limit is you, not the machine.5 -
As long as you don't have any knee or joint problems, treadmill wins.1
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When all is said and done, treadmill requires more energy per minute versus elliptical and stationary bike.
When it comes to toning, that is a subjective term. Most "toning" you see comes from building muscle and losing fat in an area. I would say possibly elliptical with resistance that you continue to increase or treadmill that you increase incline over time could get some newbie muscle gains, giving a slight toned aesthetic, but it could take a long time due to other variables.1 -
Well to burn the most calories i would have to say treadmill wins. On the toning i would think the stationary bike with a high resistance. I do the treadmill on highest incline at 3mph for an hour and the machine says i burn like 950 cal at my weight which is way more then i see on the elliptical for that long. I do the stationary bike at high resistance and my legs burn like heck but is the lowest on the calories burned.1
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Hmm i really dont like the treadmill especially in Summer and I really like the elliptical. I burn about 350 cal on the elliptical in 45 mins and 300 cal on the treadmill. But many articles state that the elliptical does not provide a good workout ..1
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Other than the treadmill, I'll only use the stair-stepper, I can get a pretty damn good session on that. I won't even look at an elliptical and if I'm going to ride a bike..it's going to be outside on some trails.1
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healthy491 wrote: »Hmm i really dont like the treadmill especially in Summer and I really like the elliptical. I burn about 350 cal on the elliptical in 45 mins and 300 cal on the treadmill. But many articles state that the elliptical does not provide a good workout ..
In the end, do what you enjoy because you're more likely to stick with it.
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healthy491 wrote: »Hmm i really dont like the treadmill especially in Summer and I really like the elliptical. I burn about 350 cal on the elliptical in 45 mins and 300 cal on the treadmill. But many articles state that the elliptical does not provide a good workout ..
If you have aspirations to be a runner then use a treadmill, if you want to be a cyclist use a cycle.
Elliptical is fine if you just want a cardio workout and you enjoy it. It will get your heart rate up and you can add as much resistance as you want.
If you like it do it - no need to overthink things.0 -
OP, you can actually make any machine you want to burn as many calories as you want. Since you hate the treadmill, then work that elliptical! If you increase length of time, resistance (level), incline, etc.. you can burn as many as you want.
And toning legs, I think you may want to look into something else instead of cardio machines that burns calories and fat. Yes burning fat will help you cut the fat, but body composition is achieved doing something else entirely.1 -
Thanks everyone
really appreciate all the help 0 -
Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)1
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Which one can you do the longest at the highest intensity?
The limit is you, not the machine.
So much this.
I own an elliptical, and bike a decent bit. Both can define differing muscle groups better. Running works some areas more than the other two can.
For calorie burn I'm sure I could burn more per hour on a bike, and that's with us owning an elliptical. I couldn't even come close running, but I don't run nearly as much. I'd venture that for even a really strong runner, if they could burn as many calories as I can on the bike, they are flying. Different muscle groups.
For overall variety of what muscle groups are worked, I think the elliptical we have will easily win over the bike or running. For an elliptical without the ramp changes or limited resistance, that might vary.
Mix it up, have fun, and do what you will do long enough and often enough to reach your goals. If you hate any of the above exercises, find the alternative.0 -
Rowing machine.
Why treadmill? Run outside.
Why stationary bike? Bike outside.
Rowing outside takes most people a lot more logistics2 -
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I prefer the elliptical and swimming due to knee problems. But anything will work if it works best for you.0
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Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.1 -
Machines don't burn calories...mass moved over distance and intensity of your work will determine how many calories you burn.
Do whatever it is you enjoy doing because you enjoy doing it...do it because you like it...do it for your fitness...you will be far more likely to stick with it.0 -
Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.
I dont feel comfortable outside with people staring..0 -
healthy491 wrote: »Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.
I dont feel comfortable outside with people staring..
Nobody is starring...1 -
healthy491 wrote: »Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.
I dont feel comfortable outside with people staring..
So you don't feel comfortable outside with people staring. But you're okay being indoors with people starring?
And like @cwolfman13 said, nobody is starring.
To each their own. As long as you're doing what you like, more power to ya.
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cwolfman13 wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.
I dont feel comfortable outside with people staring..
Nobody is starring...
Actually I do watch joggers in the open and cyclists because they stand out from pedestrians and amblers in the parks and streets. And it's more likely I'll know one of them.
I don't think much about them (eg not judging) but I get what she's saying....exercisers in the open are noticeable enough for me to feel more comfortable working out in a gym where everybody is dressed and doing the same. The focusing on your own workout helps too.
I feel more in control in a gym environment (which makes sense cos I'm more into weights and super sets than straight cardio)
The open may work for some but it doesn't have any kind of moral superiority nor is it a better way to do it IMO
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Right now, I am doing intervals on the elliptical (45min to 1hr). Seems to be working well. No injuries and I get a good burn.0
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The one you will do is the best answer to that question. IMHO as long as you are exerting yourself in your preferred exercise the difference in calories burned (I'm assuming your favorite burns fewer than other exercises) just isn't worth all the extra work. I know every little bit helps but so does the ability and willingness to repeat again the following day. If we are talking about losing weight, exercise does not cause weight loss, only the under-consumption of calories from your TDEE does that. Exercise makes it slightly easier to do that, just like it is generally easier for a man to lose weight than a woman but that by himself doesn't help him lose weight. He still has to under consume his TDEE.1
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For machines the Nordick track freestyle is awesome. You can stair step and elliptical on one machine or straight up run on it. It burns way more calories then my treadmill with incline. Love my treadmill to but that freestyle on high resistance doing stairclimber makes for nice tight legs.0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »healthy491 wrote: »Elliptical for sure! because you use more muscle so you will burn more fat, also you can practice the famous HIIT cardio (but go slow it can be very insane)
You can do Interval Training on any of those three items.
But I'm also going to question why not go outdoors? The view is better, the sounds are better, the interval training is better. Esp when you find hills to climb and descend.
I dont feel comfortable outside with people staring..
Nobody is starring...
Actually I do watch joggers in the open and cyclists because they stand out from pedestrians and amblers in the parks and streets. And it's more likely I'll know one of them.
I don't think much about them (eg not judging) but I get what she's saying....exercisers in the open are noticeable enough for me to feel more comfortable working out in a gym where everybody is dressed and doing the same. The focusing on your own workout helps too.
I feel more in control in a gym environment (which makes sense cos I'm more into weights and super sets than straight cardio)
The open may work for some but it doesn't have any kind of moral superiority nor is it a better way to do it IMO
That depends...if you're just doing cardio for the sake of doing cardio it doesn't really matter...if you're training it matters. It is preferable to train for events (I'm a cyclist) in a similar manner to which the event will be held, including the environment...it's not always possible or practical, but it is far more optimal for me to train outside on my bike than on a stationary bike.
I do use a stationary bike from time to time to do intervals and whatnot...usually in the winter months...but mostly I use the gym to lift.0 -
Internal temperature between 78 I'll speak from a different perspective. I've had a double hip replacement and I have an arthritic knee.
The elliptical will probably put the least stress your joints it's a more fluid motion. A recumbent bike is also really great.
I'm at the point where I can do all three machines now. I find that I like to mix it up and use all three machines each machine will work different leg muscles.
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STEVE142142 wrote: »Internal temperature between 78 I'll speak from a different perspective. I've had a double hip replacement and I have an arthritic knee.
The elliptical will probably put the least stress your joints it's a more fluid motion. A recumbent bike is also really great.
I'm at the point where I can do all three machines now. I find that I like to mix it up and use all three machines each machine will work different leg muscles.
Ignore the internal temperature quote don't know where the hell that came from with voice to text1 -
I have all three....the treadmill is the easiest, but the elliptical burns crazy calories!0
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The answer is whichever you prefer.
I don't like running and seldom used or burned any cals on a treadmill because I didn't exert myself that much. I find the elliptical most enjoyable and can get a really great workout on one by varying the incline/effort which I do not find difficult. I also like spin biking and rowing - - have one of both in my home - - but the elliptical always worked best for me. Just don't have enough room for one in my house and don't want to pay the high cost for one. Otherwise, I'd buy an elliptical too.0 -
My treadmill needs a new belt. My rower sprung a leak. I don't like the stationary bike. So elliptical it is if I train indoors.
I used the treadmill as a personal trainer. I set a course and had to keep up or fall off.
I used the rower along with lifting in circuits.
I use the elliptical for steady state, intervals or warm-ups.
The one thing about elliptical is less impact. So if you need a break from running or Plyometrics ... And you like standing while training...
And people staring are not training. And it is only for a moment since you are moving. And they may be inspired by you.0
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