How do you measure

ChicagOH
ChicagOH Posts: 75 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Regarding basic daily cardio - Are you more apt to measure distance or time? For example, do you say "I'm going to do this for a half hour" or "I'm going to do this for ten miles"? Why?

Replies

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    If you log it using MFP's calculators you are limited to minutes. That said, based on my experiences using an HRM, distance seems to be the key. The amount of calories I burned when I used to walk 6 miles daily is pretty similar to the burn I get running a 10k. It makes sense and a lot of people say you burn the same energy to go a certain distance, the only difference is how quickly you get there.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    I use different methods depending on the exercise.

    When I row, I have a target distance that I hit, and I hit that distance regardless of how much time it takes. Sometimes the time can vary by up to 2 minutes.

    On the elliptical, I use minutes. I do intervals so distance is not that meaningful.

    On the treadmill, I set the pace, incline, and time, so in that case distance is equivalent to time.

    When I bike or walk I use RunKeeper to do the recording for me.

    As @grimmeanor said, most calculators use minutes, so I use that in the end as my metric of record.
  • McCloud33
    McCloud33 Posts: 959 Member
    I usually have a time AND distance that I'm shooting for, but distance is usually the determining factor. I tell myself as I'm running that if I get to the mile distance quicker than I was planning that I can stop running sooner LOL
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    I’m moving a given mass a given distance, which requires a certain amount of energy (calories). Time only relates to how fast I get those things done.

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    ChicagOH wrote: »
    Regarding basic daily cardio - Are you more apt to measure distance or time? For example, do you say "I'm going to do this for a half hour" or "I'm going to do this for ten miles"? Why?

    Depends what you define as basic daily cardio but it depends. If I'm running, swimming or riding I'll generally go for a planned distance. That way I know I'll be in the right place when I finish.
  • ChicagOH
    ChicagOH Posts: 75 Member
    Wow. Very helpful answers all. Thank you!
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    gym cardio (elliptical, bike, etc) i go by time. walking i go by distance and just how im feeling. sometimes its 2 miles, sometimes its closer to 4 (3 is the average)
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