Burning less calories when doing the same exercise for a while?

Hey everyone,

I've heard after doing a certain exercise for a while that your body gets use to the exercise and it begins to burn less calories. That makes me worried since the only like using the elliptical. I tried a lot of other machines (Rowing, Treadmill, Bike, Stair Stepper, ect), but I haven't enjoyed any like I do the elliptical. I use the elliptical 5 days a week for 93 minutes each time. For the past 3 months, the elliptical has been on the same settings. I use a aerobic setting, so every minute the resistance changes between 9, 10, 11, and 12. It says I burn 960 calories, but I always count on around 500 calories. I've been keeping it the same since after every work out, I'm covered in sweat and absolutely exhausted. So I think I am pushing my body enough. I was wondering since I've been using the same settings for a while if my body got use to it and is burning less calories? Or is it still effective because the resistance changes every minute, even though it's been the same resistances for a while? Also I was wondering, if my body does burn less calories since I've been using the elliptical for a while, how much less calories does it burn, is it a lot?

Replies

  • markiend
    markiend Posts: 461 Member
    I would think your body will adapt and become more efficient , the more it does the same thing. The energy expenditure will surely decrease ? At least that's my take on it. Probably need to increase resistance or change your routine

    You should improve your fitness as you go ... therefore your body is using less energy. IMHO
  • jenniator
    jenniator Posts: 475 Member
    markiend wrote: »
    I would think your body will adapt and become more efficient , the more it does the same thing. The energy expenditure will surely decrease ? At least that's my take on it. Probably need to increase resistance or change your routine

    You should improve your fitness as you go ... therefore your body is using less energy. IMHO

    I've only noticed that my body has only become a little adapt. I still struggle and sweat a lot on it. It might be because I'm also using it for 93 minutes. But I noticed it has gotten a bit easier, but I still feel like I use a lot of energy and am sore the next day. I have bumped up the resistance a bit since I very first started, but it usually takes a few months for that to happen and I normally do it when I notice it's getting to easy. But I am curious to know how much less calories it burns when your body gets use to it.
  • oilphins
    oilphins Posts: 240 Member
    edited September 2015
    No it doesn't matter what exercise you do. Your still going to burn the same amount of calories. If your doing the same thing over and over, you probably won't get your cardio up or better but you don't burn less calories doing the same thing all the time. Like markiend said, if you increase your intensity, you definitely will burn more calories and if you decrease it you will burn less.