Elliptical Machine vs. Running Outside

pjrisher
pjrisher Posts: 152
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I know that they're two different workouts but I was wondering, what actually burns more calories? I love running outside but I'm interested in calories burned right now. I feel like I can go harder longer on the machine and get winded more easily outside, making me take walking breaks here and there. So, an hour outside or an hour on the elliptical: what's your verdict?

Replies

  • sprinkies
    sprinkies Posts: 309 Member
    for me, the elliptical burns more. when i run at a 6.0 i burn about 9 cals per min, whereas i burn about 11-13 cals per min on the elliptical with resistance.
  • ProTFitness
    ProTFitness Posts: 1,379 Member
    The elliptical is non weight bearning and easier on the joints. I find weight bearing exercises to be more effective because you have to physically move your own weight. So that is more challanging and you use more muscles
  • CarterGrt
    CarterGrt Posts: 289 Member
    I have done both pretty extensively. The comparison is an interesting one. Let's use your 1 hour to 1 hour comparison. The real question is the level of effort put into each. Ergo, either could be higher if you spend that hour at a very high intensity. But, let's add that you are wearing a HRM and keeping your heart rate at the same level. Well, this would mean that you would burn about the same number of calories.

    But, I think that eliptical is lower impact so your HR would actually be lower and you would burn lower numbers of calories, but again, it is a bit hard to compare apples to apples.

    For me, I think I can also go longer on the eliptical because it is lower impact so while I might only run for 40 minutes, I can use the eliptical for 60-90.

    So, I think the running outside is probably the higher burn potential, but both have merits and it really depends on the level of effort you put into it.

    Best of Luck!!!

    --Carter
  • Julezebub
    Julezebub Posts: 106
    I base all my calorie burns on what my heart rate monitor tells me. My heart rate goes much higher much quicker and stays in that zone when I am running. On the eliptical my heart rate doesn't go very high and it takes a while for it to peak and level out so purely based on that I will always burn more calories running than on the eliptical.

    However if you're finding you're having to stop frequently whilst running it may mean you're heart rate is going too high which may mean that the eliptical is a better choice for you.
  • moonay
    moonay Posts: 30
    I use the following formula to calculate my calories burned. I was given it by the hospital so I think it must be pretty accurate and thus I use it rather than the estimates on this site. They said it was calculated for women as the male figures would be different as they eat and burn more calories etc.

    calories burned = (0.074*Age-0.05741*Weightinpounds+0.4472*aveHRduringworkout-20.4022)*timeofworkout/4.184

    You have to use the brackets or it works it out wrong.
  • asianimport
    asianimport Posts: 1
    I enjoy running outside and find that it burns more calories, especially if you do trail running or run on uneven surfaces. If you trail run you are also engaging your core so you are working on your abs and balance as well.
  • funkyspunky871
    funkyspunky871 Posts: 1,675 Member
    I don't really run outside, but I do jogging intervals sometimes. I burn about 280-300 calories in about 30 minutes. Now, I don't have an elliptical trainer, but a lot of my MFP friends do, and I always see their calorie burn when they log it. For an hour, most of MFP friends (MANY of whom are smaller than me) burn upwards of 900 calories in an hour. Can you tell why I really want an elliptical? Anyways, I've always heard the elliptical burns more, and I have experienced the burn vicariously through my friends. Lol.
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