Cardio.....which machine?!?!?!?
Forever_mhm
Posts: 11 Member
So tonight i plan on going to the gym for the first time in idk how long....which machine is best for cardio??? OR what are some of your favorite machines???
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Replies
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I prefer my two feet and a dirt road...running outdoors!! Check out the rowing machine though, it's a tough work out.
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Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).
I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.0 -
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I'm in Colorado so I'm already feeling your winter pain, I prefer the elliptical to the treadmill because I find it's easier on the joints and I feel more physical exertion much faster on the elliptical. Though I haven't specifically calculated individual work outs, my daily burns are higher when I do that instead of the treadmill.4
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stair machine!!! get itttt3
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I like the road, the trails, the mountains...
If I absolutely have to be inside and I have to drone out time on some machine, rower gives a nice workout, but bike is better (for me) if I want to be entertained by TV shows or something.2 -
I'm a rower girl, but frankly it's only worth it if your technique's decent, otherwise you're at risk of damaging yourself AND the machine!
Also like the elliptical if I can't get outside and walk.2 -
Unless you have a specific athletic goal, like running a race, for example, the type of cardio isn't that important. For overall fitness, i would keep it varied. Try 5 minutes on each machine and see which you prefer.
If you haven't been doing cardio at home lately, i wouldn't do more than 20 minutes total cardio the first day, so you don't overtax your body.
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Life is about making choices within your own circumstances. Some people have joint issues so can't hit the road. Some people don't have the option of machines. Some people can't stand the monotony of running. So completely in my opinion my ranking of cardio options with the "Why" behind my ranking.
1) Running/walking Outside – If not over done can actually be great for bones and muscles. The variation in wind resistance, inclines, and terrain puts just enough stress on the body to help it get stronger.
2a) Cardio Class – Many of the same benefits as above but you don’t have the benefit of the variation portion as much.
2b) Cycling – Easier on your joints but still get the variation that helps strengthen your body.
3) Tread mill – You lose the wind resistance and terrain variation but you can create some incline variation
4) Stair Climber – These are great but be careful if you don’t go down the same amount that you go up, you can actually injure yourself. (Source: Personal Experience) The muscles used to go down are different than what is used to go up but to keep your body in balance you need to make sure both sets of muscles are equally worked. You don’t do this with a stair climber. You DO, do this with actual stairs though.
5) Row Machine. Great way to get in a good workout.
6) Elliptical – 100% for people with joint problems or just getting started. Not the best but it is 200x better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching re-runs of The Office.
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Stepper/stair machine and running track or treadmill will make you sweat the most, burn most calories but mixing it up each time you go is a good idea so body doesn’t get use to the same excercise.1
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It doesn't really matter; I like the elliptical for its low impact and I can vary the incline/resistance to mix things up. Just don't go by the calorie burn on the machine; it tends to way over-estimate! Do check your heart rate periodically and familiarize yourself with what different levels of exertion feel like; eventually you can start designing workouts for yourself with intervals/heart rate targets but for now, keep it simple!
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I can't get the hang of the elliptical. I'd rather run or bike. I also like to do these outside.
It comes down to personal preference, but take it easy to start. If you want to run, use something like C25K.1 -
The barbell.
Serious answer: I prefer the elliptical.1 -
Depends on your goals. I'm very conscious of joint stress, so I use the elliptical to get my heart rate up. Treadmill is for cooling down. I also like walking outside, but it takes longer to burn calories because I'm not confident about running.1
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tmoneyag99 wrote: »Life is about making choices within your own circumstances. Some people have joint issues so can't hit the road. Some people don't have the option of machines. Some people can't stand the monotony of running. So completely in my opinion my ranking of cardio options with the "Why" behind my ranking.
1) Running/walking Outside – If not over done can actually be great for bones and muscles. The variation in wind resistance, inclines, and terrain puts just enough stress on the body to help it get stronger.
2a) Cardio Class – Many of the same benefits as above but you don’t have the benefit of the variation portion as much.
2b) Cycling – Easier on your joints but still get the variation that helps strengthen your body.
3) Tread mill – You lose the wind resistance and terrain variation but you can create some incline variation
4) Stair Climber – These are great but be careful if you don’t go down the same amount that you go up, you can actually injure yourself. (Source: Personal Experience) The muscles used to go down are different than what is used to go up but to keep your body in balance you need to make sure both sets of muscles are equally worked. You don’t do this with a stair climber. You DO, do this with actual stairs though.
5) Row Machine. Great way to get in a good workout.
6) Elliptical – 100% for people with joint problems or just getting started. Not the best but it is 200x better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching re-runs of The Office.
I'll have to try them all out i guess and see what i like, i wana be sure im feeling it in my abdomen area lol and i love the office !!!!!!!1 -
I dont like the bikes, i know that much, id much rather be on a real bike but i dont have one
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A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.
Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.18 -
A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.
Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.
And this is why so many people fail.
It should be enjoyable.7 -
stanmann571 wrote: »A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.
Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.
And this is why so many people fail.
It should be enjoyable.
What he said^^2 -
My preference is to do something I can't do otherwise.. So no biking no treadmill.
That doesn't mean I don't run. Just that I won't run inside. Ditto for biking, although currently I'm bicycle deprived.
I generally pick the elliptical because It's a good burn and similar to running(if it's a good elliptical)
Otherwise, If I was slightly more coordinated I might try rowing.2 -
Frankly metabolism changes from changes in muscle mass from lifting - 50 maybe up to 100 calories a day difference after many months if not years of lifting.
Calorie differences a day from overeating which can be done even thoughtlessly - easily blow that away plus whatever the workout actually burned.
Best way to lose weight - eat less than you burn by reasonable amount, to maintain - eat what you burn.But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.
OP - if you enjoy doing several of them, do them all. Rowing good for upper body, elliptical good for joint relief and upper, stairs good for glutes/quads of done certain way, running for hamstrings/glutes.
And of course if you look closely, I'll bet there are more than cardio machines there.
Resistance training will transform the body more combined with a diet to lose fat if that is purpose.
Not much on the cardiovascular improvements of course if that is purpose.2 -
I prefer running on the road. Even walking outside is preferred. I have an elliptical and treadmill at home. Elliptical I use for run cross training. I will use my treadmill when weather conditions are too bad to be outside.
Seriously OP, try something out. Don't go all out, no need injuring yourself right off the bat. And find something you are going to find a little fun factor in it, exercise should be enjoyed to an extent that you will keep doing it, keep challenging your self and get stronger while doing it! Good for the heart.
Losing fat is going to come down to calorie deficit, use your exercise to enhance weight loss and weight management, but moreover for health.1 -
Try them all out over time. Also, what you prefer today may change in several weeks or months. Sometimes one thing leads to another. Just try what seems of interest and don't feel bad about not liking any of them and wanting to take things outside.0
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Definitely the rowing machine, and if you can only do ten to twenty minutes, that's a good start.0
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VintageFeline wrote: »Whatever you can tolerate. I'm not a machine person. I do bodyweight intervals (at home).
I would just try a few, maybe one or two each time you go to find out what you like. It's going to vary person to person. I agree above, rowing would likely be my go to but lots of people on the forum like the elliptical.
This^
Figure out which machine you like the best, that's the one you will be more likely to continue even after you are done losing weight.
Exercise for health & fitness. Control your calorie intake for weight loss.1 -
A workout is not supposed to be pleasurable. if it is, you're not doing it right.
Bike, treadmill, elliptical whatever you like most, do it... Go as hard as you can for 30 to 45 minutes.
But if your goal is to lose weight... Lift... Best way to lose and maintain a healthy weight is to increase your metabolism.
That sounds absolutely dreadful, unnecessary and more like punishment than anything else.
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My favorite machine is the elliptical machine. I also like the rower machine. It is all personal preference. I dislike the bikes and I get bored on the treadmill. Try them out and find one or two that works for you 1
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YepItsKriss wrote: »morganbone wrote: »tmoneyag99 wrote: »Life is about making choices within your own circumstances. Some people have joint issues so can't hit the road. Some people don't have the option of machines. Some people can't stand the monotony of running. So completely in my opinion my ranking of cardio options with the "Why" behind my ranking.
1) Running/walking Outside – If not over done can actually be great for bones and muscles. The variation in wind resistance, inclines, and terrain puts just enough stress on the body to help it get stronger.
2a) Cardio Class – Many of the same benefits as above but you don’t have the benefit of the variation portion as much.
2b) Cycling – Easier on your joints but still get the variation that helps strengthen your body.
3) Tread mill – You lose the wind resistance and terrain variation but you can create some incline variation
4) Stair Climber – These are great but be careful if you don’t go down the same amount that you go up, you can actually injure yourself. (Source: Personal Experience) The muscles used to go down are different than what is used to go up but to keep your body in balance you need to make sure both sets of muscles are equally worked. You don’t do this with a stair climber. You DO, do this with actual stairs though.
5) Row Machine. Great way to get in a good workout.
6) Elliptical – 100% for people with joint problems or just getting started. Not the best but it is 200x better than sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching re-runs of The Office.
I'll have to try them all out i guess and see what i like, i wana be sure im feeling it in my abdomen area lol and i love the office !!!!!!!
Why the abdomen area? You know you can't spot reduce right?
She's right.
To answer your question, I prefer the rowing machine. But pick one that you enjoy. More sustainable.2 -
If you are just starting out, the exercise bike or treadmill will be a good start.
Walking on the treadmill can be made challenging and difficult at any level of physical fitness. You can speed up, use incline, or just expand your stride and take fewer steps.
Exercise bikes for the truly sedentary can get your body used to repeat movement, just pay attention to your body posture and manipulate the resistance until you can do this comfortably for an extended period of time.
Ellipticals are pretty good, but they make all kinds, so you'll have to differentiate which ones are comfortable for you and which ones are uncomfortable (and whether or not that is a good thing, depending on what aspect of your stride you are working on).
Once you feel like you've mastered these, there are all sorts of machines you can move on to, such as the stair climbers, rowing machines, rope pulling machines, etc.1
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