Indoor cycle or elliptical?

TrishV2013

I am looking at purchasing some indoor cardio equipment that I can start using after my baby is born in a couple of months. Is the elliptical or indoor cycle better for fat loss?

malibu927

Neither. You need a calorie deficit for fat loss. Exercise for health and fitness.

sgt1372

For a total body workout to build strength and burn cals, IMO a Concept2 rower would be better than any other cardio device that you can buy for use at home.

Machka9

If I were purchasing indoor cardio equipment, my first choice would be a trainer for my bicycle (which I've got), my second choice would be a Concept2 rower, and my third choice would be a good-quality treadmill.

And then I'd make arrangements to attend spinning classes once a week ... which I do during winter.

pamfgil

The one you use is best, I chose a bicycle because of space issues, but I would recommend hiring first and if you're still using it regularly after six weeks then think about hiring, also it won't make much difference if you don't keep your eating at a suitable intake for your needs, see calculator of tdee to work that out

jlklem

malibu927 wrote: »

Neither. You need a calorie deficit for fat loss. Exercise for health and fitness.

The best machine is the one you love. Seriously what do you like to do? If you do not like it you will hang clothing on it...

Many home machines gather dust.

All exercise machines burn calories, harder you go, the more you burn. But hard is hard so you better like doing the exercise.

Go to the gym try them all, buy what you like...but use it for 30 minutes, then you will know (maybe)

John

resale3108

Save yourself a load of money and buy leather skipping ropes.
Total body workout; arms, core, legs, brain (co-ordinating your skipping). Then some callisthenics - any type of body weight exercise.
With the money saved, get new clothes!

BrianSharpe

Picking machine x over machine y on the basis of one burning more calories than the other is a surefire recipe for having an expensive towel rack on your hands.

Which one are you more likely to use over the long term? Do you already have a bike? If yes consider getting an indoor trainer that you hook your bike up to rather than buying a dedicated exercise bike.

Whichever you decide on buy the best quality you can afford (or wait until Feb / Mar for the bargains on Craigslist as all the New Years Resolutions get broken)

Personally if I was only getting one machine I'd probably go for a C2 Rower too (I use mine 3 or 4 times weekly as cross training for my running - it's a great workout). If you have access to a gym I'd definitely suggest trying before buying.

cwolfman13

Neither have anything to do with fat loss really. You lose fat when you're consuming fewer calories than are going out. In regards to energy expenditure, it's not the machine...it's your level of effort.

Pick the one you enjoy doing...avoid buying a really expensive hat rack...

Personally, I invested in a mid range road bike and then bought an indoor trainer so I can have the best of both worlds...I can ride outdoors most of the time and then hit it indoors when I need to.

stanmann571

The recommendations have all been made, I'll only add one thing. Most home grade/price ellipticals aren't durable, reliable, or comfortable. So If you're committed to a bike or elliptical, get the bike.

lorrpb

Do you like riding bike for a long time? I find bike seats pretty uncomfortable and harder on my knees.. I love my elliptical but I have a sturdy one because I was quite heavy when I got it.
Consider checking thrift store or Craigslist for used items.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Great advice here. I've owned several machines before and gotten minimal use of them. On the other hand, I have a very small collection of hand weights, resistance bands, and a floor mat that have gotten lots of use. So many free exercise vids on youtube (check out Popsugar Fitness).

With a newborn in the house, you have to be an exercise ninja: Baby goes to sleep, you hit the rug and do a 10-minute (very quiet) workout, then you go to sleep and wake up when it's time to feed again. No one's the wiser except you!