Treadmill vs Bike?

RosieGB33nz
RosieGB33nz Posts: 142
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have both at home and by going on what the machines say, I burn more calories on the bike then I do the treadmill..... Anyone else finding this? I am waiting for my HRM to arrive to see which is better for calories but what is better in general.... Bike or Treadmill?

Replies

  • mzjandiace
    mzjandiace Posts: 162
    So far my weight loss has been attributed to riding the stationary bike! It burns way more calories and it's easier on my knees!
  • KBrenOH
    KBrenOH Posts: 704 Member
    According to MFP, if I do 30 minutes on the bike it's usually something close to 280 calories. By the treadmill, if I do 30 minutes, it's no where near as close (walking at 3.0mph).

    I honestly don't know where MFP get's their #'s or how accurate they are.
  • Peridotite
    Peridotite Posts: 66
    I too have both and a HRM. I have tested both with my HRM and find that because of the different levels of intensity I put in to both the bike just burns more calories because my heart rate is that much higher. However I do find that the bike reports more calories burned than my HRM, whereas my treadmill is usually very close to what my HRM says (and maybe a little lower).

    Don't know if that helps :blushing:
  • jdwhite318
    jdwhite318 Posts: 2
    Hey There,
    I have found that the treadmill gave me less burned calories compared to any machine at the gym. I typically use the Precor Elliptical trainer to burn calories, about 800/hour vs. treadmill 600/hour @ 5 mph. I'm sure if I kicked it up to 6 mph then the calories would increase in that amount of time, but would pay for it the next day. If you can keep your heart rate within the perimeters then your going to burn calories regardless of the machine.
  • Bob_Sugar
    Bob_Sugar Posts: 61
    I'd imagine you'd burn more on a treadmill jogging. But I'd just as soon wait until you get your HRM anyhow. It makes all the difference in the world
  • jdwhite318
    jdwhite318 Posts: 2
    Hey There,
    I have found that the treadmill gave me less burned calories compared to any machine at the gym. I typically use the Precor Elliptical trainer to burn calories, about 800/hour vs. treadmill 600/hour @ 5 mph. I'm sure if I kicked it up to 6 mph then the calories would increase in that amount of time, but would pay for it the next day. If you can keep your heart rate within the perimeters then your going to burn calories regardless of the machine.
    I've lost 22 pounds so far from the Precor machine before I found this app.
  • Sumo813
    Sumo813 Posts: 566 Member
    The machines are not going to be very accurate in most cases. The bike has always said it burns more than my treadmill, but one big factor, at least with my bike, is that you can't input your weight. So if you ride, and I ride (I'm 300 lbs, male, 34) and we put out the same effort, it's going to say we burned the same amount. Also, on the bike, youre on your rear, whereas with the treadmill, youre using your entire bodyweight.

    My thoughts, are that you're only being mislead by the bike. If you want to be safe on the bike, calculate about 70-80% of the calories the bike says you burned.

    That being said, there's less impact to your joints on the bike, and less recovery time involved.
  • live4turns
    live4turns Posts: 314 Member
    I definitely burn more when cycling. My gym has treadmills and spin cycles that read my chest strap and I can input my age, height and weight.

    Treadmill: average 300-350 calories @ 6-7 mph for 30 minutes. 5km run
    Bike: average 800-900 calories doing endurance runs for 60 minutes @ 95-105 cadence, 140-150 HR, moderate resistance. 40km ride

    But I "feel" I get a tougher workout on the treadmill.
  • smuehlbauer
    smuehlbauer Posts: 1,041 Member
    Um, yeah....depends on how much effort you're putting into it. Walking, jogging, running, all out sprinting. Incline, tension, slow pace on the bike, fast pace. It varies on too many levels. The important thing is you're doing it. Get a HRM if the exact number is important.
  • RosieGB33nz
    RosieGB33nz Posts: 142
    Thanks guys, it helps. When i use to go to the gym, i seemed to burn more calories on the treadmill there then the new one i have at home. So when i went for a run last night, it was a bit disheartening. I think i will do 20 minutes on each machine, so 20 minute run and then 20 minute bike (even tho the seat isnt comfy i still get to sit down right). Do you think this will be ok?
  • live4turns
    live4turns Posts: 314 Member
    I would just alternate everyday. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to really start burning calories. Also, if you switch in one cardio workout then it takes time to get up to speed again. It takes me about 10 minutes to get into a rhythm on the bike. When running, once I'm at my desired pace it'd be a waste to break off to do something else.
  • Sumo813
    Sumo813 Posts: 566 Member
    Um, yeah....depends on how much effort you're putting into it. Walking, jogging, running, all out sprinting. Incline, tension, slow pace on the bike, fast pace. It varies on too many levels. The important thing is you're doing it. Get a HRM if the exact number is important.

    Agreed. Moving is what matters most! And as long as it's 30 mins, it's going to be at least a little beneficial. :wink:
    I would just alternate everyday. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to really start burning calories. Also, if you switch in one cardio workout then it takes time to get up to speed again. It takes me about 10 minutes to get into a rhythm on the bike. When running, once I'm at my desired pace it'd be a waste to break off to do something else.

    I'd go with this as well. Just rotate days vs amount of time. I do the treadmill Mon, Tues, Fri for 60 mins, and sometimes Sat for 30 mins. On Wed and Thurs I do 30 mins on the stationary bike before sparring/training for 60 mins.

    Btw, nice call on the HRM on the bike and other machines at the gym. I should invest in a good one to use in conjunction with my bodybugg, since the bugg doesnt accurately count your calories on the bike. My cousin is a marathoner (damn guy gets to travel all over the world just to run lol) and recommended a couple nice HRMs (Garmin FR60 and Polar RS300X). I'm also interested in the Suunto M5.
  • fittraier
    fittraier Posts: 138
    Remember that all the machines are using a formula to calcualte calories burned (and I am sure MFP does too). Just remember their can be up to 25 % error either way (more or less burned) in that calcuation. So someone that tells me i am going to stay on such an such machine until I burn X calories. I just laugh, because they are a BALLPARK figure. Using a HR monitor and judging your intensity is the best factor. I can sit on a bike/elliptical and treadmill and burn calories, but change your intensity, and you will burn more calories.
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