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elliptical with resistance

denacutrone
denacutrone Posts: 63
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
i have an elliptical machine with a resistance knob and i have been increasing the resistance every few days. am i burning more calories with higher resistance? i know it feels like a harder workout with the resistance higher

Replies

  • Vipecap
    Vipecap Posts: 166 Member
    Yes, the resistance is causing you to exert more effort therefore burn more calories. It's the same with treadmills and incline on them.
  • MJ5898
    MJ5898 Posts: 1,549 Member
    The only way to know for sure what your calorie burn is would be to wear a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). However, it would seem logical that if you are working out harder (at a higher intensity), you would be burning more calories. Enjoy your elliptical!!!
  • christina_theresa
    christina_theresa Posts: 290 Member
    The harder you work your heart the more calories you burn... using a heart monitor can help you keep track of your calories if you're not sure :)
  • Lula16
    Lula16 Posts: 628 Member
    i do the elliptical but in intervals. i do 1 minute on lowest resistance, then 2 minutes on med resistance and then 2 minutes on the hardest resistance i can hanldle. I do sets of these for a total of 20 or 30 minutes. It keeps me from getting tired too quickly!
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    It sure does. My elliptical tracks calorie burns based on HR, weight input, and resistance level. I perform my elliptical routines starting at the highest resistance level from beginning to end, since I've been doing it for so long, I built up to that point, and the highest resistance on mine burns about twice as much than having no resistance. I'd say it's pretty accurate considering the amount of weight I lose in a short amount of time.
  • denacutrone
    denacutrone Posts: 63
    thank you! i guess i will have to get a heart rate monitor so i can figure out my calorie burn because 30 minutes with the resistance higher certainly felt like 70 minutes with no resistance at all!!!
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    thank you! i guess i will have to get a heart rate monitor so i can figure out my calorie burn because 30 minutes with the resistance higher certainly felt like 70 minutes with no resistance at all!!!

    Yup. Plus the increased resistance doubles as partial strength training for your legs, and arms if you use them to propel you every now and then. If you're interested in wanting to incorporate HIIT routines on the elliptical, I have a bit of knowledge on that. I do it everyday. Haha.
  • denacutrone
    denacutrone Posts: 63
    thank you! i guess i will have to get a heart rate monitor so i can figure out my calorie burn because 30 minutes with the resistance higher certainly felt like 70 minutes with no resistance at all!!!

    Yup. Plus the increased resistance doubles as partial strength training for your legs, and arms if you use them to propel you every now and then. If you're interested in wanting to incorporate HIIT routines on the elliptical, I have a bit of knowledge on that. I do it everyday. Haha.

    i am game for anything that is going to help me reach my goal! and i think i need to shake things up a bit with my workouts
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