Elliptical vs Treadmill

dmcohee

I normally run on the treadmill; however, I got a cramp in my side last night so switched to the elliptical. I feel that I work much harder on the treadmill, and get a better workout; but according to the machine, I burnt more calories on the elliptical. Are these machines not really that accurate, or could that be true?

ScarletTarah

I started out on the treadmill then switched to the elliptical when my ankle started giving me problems and I noticed the same thing burned more calories on the elliptical, then when my ankle no longer aproved of the elliptical I turned to bikes and I burn more calories on the bike, but how they determine more burn then another machine I don't know , maybe a level 4 on the elliptical might be a level 6 on the treadmill plus the elliptical and bikes rate your speed were as the treadmill stays at the standard you put it at. Thats just my hypothesis.

snorker88

I prefer the eliptical, and I always burn more on it than the treadmill. I suppose you can get more of a full body work out on the eliptical than the treadmill since you use your arms too.

I normally only use the calorie count on gym machines as a rough estimate, especially when there is no function to enter your weight, height and age- the best thing to do would be to invest in a HRM watch or similar for the gym- they have more accurate readings since you can pre-program with your weight etc.

melbhall

I prefer the eliptical, and I always burn more on it than the treadmill. I suppose you can get more of a full body work out on the eliptical than the treadmill since you use your arms too.

I normally only use the calorie count on gym machines as a rough estimate, especially when there is no function to enter your weight, height and age- the best thing to do would be to invest in a HRM watch or similar for the gym- they have more accurate readings since you can pre-program with your weight etc.

If you get a heart rate monitor does it only give you that information, or does it track calories burned too? I hear they are really expensive so I haven't even checked into one.

HonestOmnivore

Using my heart rate monitor I appear to burn more calories on the elliptical than I do on the treadmill. My HRM also shows more calories burned on the treadmill than what the treadmill estimates (because I'm not yet efficient?) and my HRM shows that I burn LESS calories than the elliptical machine estimates! Regardless, it's my calorie burn is significantly more on the elliptical than on the treadmill!

TnTHawkins

I prefer the eliptical, and I always burn more on it than the treadmill. I suppose you can get more of a full body work out on the eliptical than the treadmill since you use your arms too.

I normally only use the calorie count on gym machines as a rough estimate, especially when there is no function to enter your weight, height and age- the best thing to do would be to invest in a HRM watch or similar for the gym- they have more accurate readings since you can pre-program with your weight etc.

If you get a heart rate monitor does it only give you that information, or does it track calories burned too? I hear they are really expensive so I haven't even checked into one.

A HRM will give you calories burned as well as heart rate. The best HRM uses "heart rate-based calorie computation" that would give you a more accurate account of calories burned, but they are hitting the $400 mark. You can speed much less to get a simple HRM for training purposes.

I have used Garmin Forerunner 50 and been very pleased with the results and came with a foot pod, HRM strap and watch. I will recieving my Garmin Forerunner 305 with GPS this weekend.

mbmomof4

If you all like the elliptical, then check out the arc trainer, you will love it. Hopefully your gym's will be equipped with them. It's sort of the elliptical motion & a step motion in one. It's a fantastic workout with less impact on the joints than both the elliptical & treadmill, & you burn ALOT more calories. I was afraid of this machine at first, now I'm up to 30 mins a day on it & crushing about 375 (+/-/) calories!!! I love it!! The key is that you have to pace yourself until you build your endurance.



Check out the reviews -
http://www.peertrainer.com/LoungeCommunityThread.aspx?ForumID=1&ThreadID=16826