We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

treadmill vs bike

WombatC
WombatC Posts: 13
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I do 30 minutes on the treadmill at 3.8 mph and it says I used about 175 calories...BUT the same time on the bike at 17.5 mph is 500 calories. Is it the equipment or is it true? I am sweaty after both--but my thighs hurt more on the bike.

Replies

  • kellygirl5538
    kellygirl5538 Posts: 597 Member
    The bike doesn't sound right, I do spin class for 60 minutes and I burn around 500 calories and that is an intense workout. The treadmill seems right.
  • anirlz
    anirlz Posts: 18 Member
    I agree, I used to use a heart monitor and you definately burn more on the treadmill compared to the bike. Did you try putting it into your exercise area on this site? I find that it is usually pretty close (within 20 or so calories). On average I have found that I burn about 100 calories every 10 min on either the treadmill or elliptical and that's with my heart rate at 70-80%.
  • hallswan
    hallswan Posts: 90
    I do know that you burn more calories from running than from biking - so I think your bike might be wrong - in my case I burn about 600 calories from a 45 min spin class - but I burn about the same from a 30min run

    Where are you getting the calorie numbers from - the machine?
  • WombatC
    WombatC Posts: 13
    yes numbers are from the machine....I feel more worked out after the bike but I am still sweaty after the treadmill. The equipment is made by 2 different companies.

    Thanks for the input
  • rogers8702
    rogers8702 Posts: 533 Member
    I disagree, i burn more calories on my bike than the treadmill. about 400 calories for 45 minute on bike, only 250 for 45 min treadmill and i run about the same pace as you 3.8mph.

    **i could be wrong but that is what my HRM says.***
  • jclguru
    jclguru Posts: 123
    I disagree, i burn more calories on my bike than the treadmill. about 400 calories for 45 minute on bike, only 250 for 45 min treadmill and i run about the same pace as you 3.8mph.

    **i could be wrong but that is what my HRM says.***

    I'm with rogers8702. On my stationary bike for 30 minutes I'll burn close to 500 calories...this is doing a minute
    at 25mph a minute at 18, etc. So I'm going to burn a little bit more on my bike due to my heart rate going up and
    down.

    On the days I keep my bike at about 18, I'll burn around 300 calories for that same 30 minutes (this is all based on
    a heart rate monitor).

    My heart rate % is normally in the higher 70's to lower 80's (in the 90's when I'm pushing the 25+).

    On the treadmill my heart rate % is in the high 60's to lower 70's, so I burn maybe half of that.

    Doug
This discussion has been closed.

Categories