Which is better to lose weight

millieianiro
millieianiro Posts: 4 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I ride an elliptical bike for 64 minutes a day and burn anywhere between 602 and 620 calories at an average of 12.5 mph. Today I rode a stationary bike for 50 minutes and averaged 16.0 mph and burned 400 calories. Is it better to go a longer distance and burn less or a shorter distance and burn more. Thanks

Replies

  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    How are you calculating this burn, as machines are very inaccurate? I would focus on diet for weight loss and exercise to maintain lean body mass and health.
  • millieianiro
    millieianiro Posts: 4 Member
    The machines are accurate. One was an elliptical bike and the other was a stationary bike
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    It's better to stick with the one you enjoy more because you're more likely to do it. If you have a way to burn more but you're half as likely to do it then it doesn't matter if it burns more since you're doing it less.

    How do you know the machines are accurate? How are they determining your burn?
  • weightlossdiva1219
    weightlossdiva1219 Posts: 283 Member
    The machines aren't accuracte unless it's an extremely expensive and personalized one. Every person burns different calories depending on their weight
  • millieianiro
    millieianiro Posts: 4 Member
    Ok let's assume they are accurate. Height age and weight are entered. Basically all I am asking which is better.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Which one you use doesn't really matter. In the end, it's a calorie deficit that will lead to weight loss.

    So if we assume that both machines give you an accurate calorie burn (they generally are off, but we'll assume), and you know your resting metabolic rate, you can add RMR to exercise burn, and eat fewer calories than that, and you'll lose weight.

    It's completely possible to do lots of exercise (of any form) and eat too many calories and not lose … so stick with the one you like and follow the plan as laid out by MFP
  • brunotolosa
    brunotolosa Posts: 18
    These machines are rarely accurate.

    I also agree that you should do the one you enjoy the most! That works for me.. Enjoy your routines, eat well and you will achieve your goals- no doubt about it!
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    Either will work for weight loss, as in this situation your caloric intake will play more of a factor than which machine you use. Just eat less. I'm guessing the calories burned between the two in negligible.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    *The machines are incredibly inaccurate
    *What matters is that you get to a calorie deficit, not which machine got you there
    *What matters most is which method you enjoy most and will continue with
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    *The machines are incredibly inaccurate
    *What matters is that you get to a calorie deficit, not which machine got you there
    *What matters most is which method you enjoy most and will continue with

    :drinker:
  • _EndGame_
    _EndGame_ Posts: 770 Member
    If you want an accurate calorie burn readout based on your weight, height, age and gender, then perhaps you should consider getting a heart rate monitor. (HRM) Based on your stats and your BPM, it gives you an accurate readout for what you will have burned.

    MFP, although it is a great tool and site, does seem to overestimate the calories burned, that's why I got a HRM.

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