Cardio.....which machine?!?!?!?

2

Replies

  • Forever_mhm
    Forever_mhm Posts: 11 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).

    I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.

    This^

    Figure out which machine you like the best, that's the one you will be more likely to continue even after you are done losing weight.

    Exercise for health & fitness. Control your calorie intake for weight loss.

    Thanks! So it's definitely more about calories compared to carbs to lose? Sorry im new to this healthy stuff...lol
  • Forever_mhm
    Forever_mhm Posts: 11 Member
    My favorite machine is the elliptical machine. I also like the rower machine. It is all personal preference. I dislike the bikes and I get bored on the treadmill. Try them out and find one or two that works for you :)

    Thank you! i feel the same towards bikes and treadmill in the past when i would try to be motivated. i hated it ugh.
  • Forever_mhm
    Forever_mhm Posts: 11 Member
    morganbone wrote: »
    tmoneyag99 wrote: »
    Life is about making choices within your own circumstances. Some people have joint issues so can't hit the road. Some people don't have the option of machines. Some people can't stand the monotony of running. So completely in my opinion my ranking of cardio options with the "Why" behind my ranking.




    1) Running/walking Outside – If not over done can actually be great for bones and muscles. The variation in wind resistance, inclines, and terrain puts just enough stress on the body to help it get stronger.

    2a) Cardio Class – Many of the same benefits as above but you don’t have the benefit of the variation portion as much.

    2b) Cycling – Easier on your joints but still get the variation that helps strengthen your body.

    3) Tread mill – You lose the wind resistance and terrain variation but you can create some incline variation

    4) Stair Climber – These are great but be careful if you don’t go down the same amount that you go up, you can actually injure yourself. (Source: Personal Experience) The muscles used to go down are different than what is used to go up but to keep your body in balance you need to make sure both sets of muscles are equally worked. You don’t do this with a stair climber. You DO, do this with actual stairs though.

    5) Row Machine. Great way to get in a good workout.

    6) Elliptical – 100% for people with joint problems or just getting started. Not the best but it is 200x better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching re-runs of The Office.

    I'll have to try them all out i guess and see what i like, i wana be sure im feeling it in my abdomen area lol and i love the office !!!!!!!

    Why the abdomen area? You know you can't spot reduce right?

    I understand you cant just pick which spot on your body to lose weight...but im hoping that where most of my weight is that will help there....
  • notreallychris
    notreallychris Posts: 501 Member
    edited November 2017
    morganbone wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).

    I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.

    This^

    Figure out which machine you like the best, that's the one you will be more likely to continue even after you are done losing weight.

    Exercise for health & fitness. Control your calorie intake for weight loss.

    Thanks! So it's definitely more about calories compared to carbs to lose? Sorry im new to this healthy stuff...lol

    If you're new, read this post:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    Also recommend reading the "most helpful threads" on the getting started page. (This is one of them)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited November 2017
    morganbone wrote: »
    So tonight i plan on going to the gym for the first time in idk how long....which machine is best for cardio??? OR what are some of your favorite machines???

    There is no "best"...there is only personal preference. The quality of your workout is determined by your effort, not the machine.

    Personally I hate them all and never use them. I like riding my bike. I use the gym for weights only...I don't need to spend my $$$ to go be a hamster.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    edited November 2017
    I used to do the bike but I found that it burns nothing compared to even walking on the treadmill... unless my HRM is completely off... the best workout is probably the rowing machine but I get so bored on it... I typically stick to the treadmill and watch Netflix (I can't run because of food issues so I walk at an incline).

    The elliptical is great too though, but I could never last too long on it, lol.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    i prefer lifting but rowing is a killer workout
  • Goober1142
    Goober1142 Posts: 219 Member
    I just use whatever the skinny girls are using lol
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I use the Elliptical mostly, set to intervals so that I have to work pretty hard. It is not for everyone but it gets me a very good burn for the hour I do it due to the differences in resistance. I am almost always dripping sweat by 11 minutes in. That said, it can get boring and in the past, I preferred boxing classes and circuits mixed in. I also do strength training, but since you asked about cardio, that is mine, along with a reasonable amount of walking.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,255 Member
    tlpina82 wrote: »
    A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.

    Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
    But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.

    Wait . . . what?

    Going as hard as I can for 30-45 minutes is fun. A little short, I admit, but fun - as long as I scale the effort up so it's appropriate to the short duration, of course.

    Exercise is pleasurable, no question. Or should be. Body likes to move. (It's not essential to go super hard. It's not even a very good idea, for a beginner.)

    I like rowing, but machine is less fun than boats. If you try the rowing machine, get instructions from someone knowledgeable, or at least watch the beginner video at concept2.com. Most people at most gyms, sadly, are doing it wrong. Potentially injuriously wrong, in fact. :(
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    tlpina82 wrote: »
    A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.

    Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
    But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.

    Wait . . . what?

    Going as hard as I can for 30-45 minutes is fun. A little short, I admit, but fun - as long as I scale the effort up so it's appropriate to the short duration, of course.

    Exercise is pleasurable, no question. Or should be. Body likes to move. (It's not essential to go super hard. It's not even a very good idea, for a beginner.)

    I like rowing, but machine is less fun than boats. If you try the rowing machine, get instructions from someone knowledgeable, or at least watch the beginner video at concept2.com. Most people at most gyms, sadly, are doing it wrong. Potentially injuriously wrong, in fact. :(

    Haha, unless I'm hiking or actually going out for a walk and it's nice out... typically I have to suffer through it, making it tolerable by watching shows... but it's definitely not 'fun'... I've tried a lot of things and never found anything I found fun, unfortunately (I'd like to try kick boxing classes but unfortunately that's not in the budget right now).
  • MsHarryWinston
    MsHarryWinston Posts: 1,027 Member
    I’m not really a fan of cardio machines, I’d rather walk/run outside, dance or kickbox. But I DO actually like recumbent bikes. I haaaate the regular stationary bike (which is all my new gym has), but really love recumbent bikes.
  • 2wise4u
    2wise4u Posts: 229 Member
    Treadmill and elliptical are my favorites but I'd suggest anything you'll stick to long term! :smiley:
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    morganbone wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).

    I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.

    This^

    Figure out which machine you like the best, that's the one you will be more likely to continue even after you are done losing weight.

    Exercise for health & fitness. Control your calorie intake for weight loss.

    Thanks! So it's definitely more about calories compared to carbs to lose? Sorry im new to this healthy stuff...lol

    Calories are king! Carbs don't matter at all unless they leave you hungry and unsatisfied. Many vegetarians eat a high carb diet. Focus on meeting protein goals though (going over is okay too). Look for dietary changes you want to continue because maintenance takes work.
  • Forever_mhm
    Forever_mhm Posts: 11 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    morganbone wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).

    I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.

    This^

    Figure out which machine you like the best, that's the one you will be more likely to continue even after you are done losing weight.

    Exercise for health & fitness. Control your calorie intake for weight loss.

    Thanks! So it's definitely more about calories compared to carbs to lose? Sorry im new to this healthy stuff...lol

    Calories are king! Carbs don't matter at all unless they leave you hungry and unsatisfied. Many vegetarians eat a high carb diet. Focus on meeting protein goals though (going over is okay too). Look for dietary changes you want to continue because maintenance takes work.

    Thank you! :)
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  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    tlpina82 wrote: »
    A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.

    Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
    But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.

    Oh crap! You mean no more 20-30-40-50 mile bike rides, no more cross country hikes. I might as well JSF.
  • Dollfit09
    Dollfit09 Posts: 6 Member
    Obviously treadmill, but if you dont like running or have knee problems then I would suggest walking on a high incline on a treadmill or eliptical. You can play around with the incline and resistance and see what works for you. Rowing machine is another good one or stair master.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Dollfit09 wrote: »
    Obviously treadmill, but if you dont like running or have knee problems then I would suggest walking on a high incline on a treadmill or eliptical. You can play around with the incline and resistance and see what works for you. Rowing machine is another good one or stair master.

    No. High inclines put too much stress on the knees, cycling is a MUCH better high intensity/low impact cardio workout.
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    ALWAYS. THE. STAIRMASTER. B)
  • rainingribbons
    rainingribbons Posts: 1,051 Member
    My personal favorite is to do the stairs. For me though, I'm also trying to tone up and stairs provide not only a fierce cardio burn, but also continue to tone up my thighs and butt.
    While I haven't tried it myself, some of my friends really enjoy the elliptical. It might be a good idea to try out the different machines to see which you prefer and can don't mind continuing.
  • amyepdx
    amyepdx Posts: 750 Member
    ALWAYS. THE. STAIRMASTER. B)

    How very 90’s
  • Lesscookies1
    Lesscookies1 Posts: 250 Member
    My favorite cardio is rather cheap love to take a walk outside, and also walking up and down the step.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    My favorite is a stair stepper. I feel like I get more bang for my buck on that. I've never done a rowing machine but I think I'd enjoy it.
  • pogiguy05
    pogiguy05 Posts: 1,583 Member
    Elliptical using the Interval training. My machine does it in 2 minute intervals. 2 minutes of a higher incline and resistance and 2 minutes lower. Adjust the resistance to your level you can handle and I use the Strides to keep myself around 150 strides during the upper 2 minutes then relax and prepare on the lower.
  • Fight4URHAPPINESS
    Fight4URHAPPINESS Posts: 24 Member
    Elliptical trainer is my fav ... i find the treadmill can be boring sometimes lol
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    When I'm looking to rack up a good burn I do 15-20 minutes on each of them! Sometimes I get bored or I'm not in the mood so the variety helps get it done. 20 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes stair stepper and then 20 minutes treadmill walk on a really good incline is one variation.
This discussion has been closed.