Cardio exercise - which is better?

racheyanne1
racheyanne1 Posts: 50
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
When I go to the gym, I use the elliptical and the regular stepper (not the one like the escalator). At home, I walk on the treadmill for 45 mins to an hour usually.

Question - Is walking less effective than say the stepper or elliptical?

Replies

  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    Walking doesn't burn as many calories, but mixing up the cardio is better for your body and for your metabolism.
  • babsc01
    babsc01 Posts: 31 Member
    According to the research I've done, the elliptical trainer burns the most calories. The stairmaster, although very sweat-inducing, actually burns the least of the three, assuming you use the treadmill at a pace of at least 3.0mph and with a tolerable incline.
  • mjb123
    mjb123 Posts: 19
    It depends on how fast you're walking and how steep your incline is. In general the eliptical will burn more calories since you are using more muscles groups. The best thing to do is alternate and keep your body guessing.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    If you are working at the same intensity, the results will be similar. It's intensity that brings about results, not the modality per se.

    That being said, some people find that it's more comfortable to work harder on some modalities compared to others.

    Most people find it feels more comfortable to work at a higher intensity on an elliptical, for instance, compared to stairclimbing or walking. For a younger person, it is very difficult to work at a higher intensity while walking--unless you walk on the treadmill at a steep incline without holding on to the handrails.
  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
    If you are working at the same intensity, the results will be similar. It's intensity that brings about results, not the modality per se.

    That being said, some people find that it's more comfortable to work harder on some modalities compared to others.

    Most people find it feels more comfortable to work at a higher intensity on an elliptical, for instance, compared to stairclimbing or walking. For a younger person, it is very difficult to work at a higher intensity while walking--unless you walk on the treadmill at a steep incline without holding on to the handrails.

    I have to agree---wearing a HRM will definitely show this. So long as your heart rate is going up to where it should be, you are burning the same amount of calories. The calories burned that are shown here on MFP are so over-inflated, they don't come near what my HRM says. I hope people are aware of this. I have a reliable HRM, too, with a chest strap, and I believe it more than what MFP tells me.
  • NikkiDerrig386
    NikkiDerrig386 Posts: 1,096 Member
    Circuit training with strength training is the best cardio.
    But if you want to do just cardio: Stairs and Jump rope. Elliptical isnt bad either.

    Walking is good but you dont loose enough calories. It is the lowest quality of cardio.
  • mfergie889
    mfergie889 Posts: 77
    As a frequent hiker and one who walks my dog FOUR times a day (we live in an apt), Im a big fan of walking and running. If you are going to walk on the treadmill, try playing with the incline. (Enter in 45 minutes of hiking w/ hills on the exercise calculator, it burns alot more then just walking on a flat surface)
  • NikkiDerrig386
    NikkiDerrig386 Posts: 1,096 Member
    As a frequent hiker and one who walks my dog FOUR times a day (we live in an apt), Im a big fan of walking and running. If you are going to walk on the treadmill, try playing with the incline. (Enter in 45 minutes of hiking w/ hills on the exercise calculator, it burns alot more then just walking on a flat surface)

    See thats some good walking :drinker:
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