Elliptical vs. Spinning, your thoughts please

forsophia2009
forsophia2009 Posts: 40
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
Sorry this might be all over the place.

1) Yesterday I entered in 45 minutes for the elliptical and according to MFP, I burned over 600 calories. I'm going with 500 as I was not wearing a HRM so I know the MFP calculation may not be accurate.

According to MFP, doing spinning for the same amount of time is only 430+ calories burned. It would take an hour of spinning to be the same as the elliptical in 45 minutes.

I'm kind of surprised by this. I was planning on doing spinning for an hour this afternoon but maybe it's better to do the elliptical for 45 minutes? (burn the same amount and get home to my daughter sooner)

2) Doing the elliptical for 45 minutes really kicked my rear yesterday. There were times when I had to slow down. I think spinning is more intense so maybe my body isn't ready for that kind of exercise just yet? Thoughts?

Replies

  • twinkietigress
    twinkietigress Posts: 109 Member
    Hmmm, seems a little off to me but I guess the only way to really know is have a HRM on but they'll work different muscles so switch em up perhaps and which ever pushes you the hardest, that's the one I'd choose.

    :) TT
  • ncahill77
    ncahill77 Posts: 501 Member
    I'm not an expert here, but it may be that the elliptical is more of a full body exercise engaging your legs, butt and core all while standing, while spinning might be a little less core, but if you up the resistance on spinning I would assume it would burn more, I think the only way to know for sure is the HRM.
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
    500 seems kinda high for 45min to me. If you are doing it instensly spinning will burn a lot more calories than the elipitcal
  • elysecea
    elysecea Posts: 161 Member
    I believe that the calorie burns for MFP go by your height and weight and is a generalization. As far as the difference between the elliptical and spinning, I believe that with the elliptical you use upper and lower and apposed to spinning you use mostly lower. I burn like crazy when I spin and with the elliptical. Also do you enter in your correct stats when you are on the elliptical??? That make a difference as well.
  • flea2449
    flea2449 Posts: 499 Member
    I would think that the ellitical burns more calories because you are also using your arms. When spinning, your arms are just on the handles. I'm no expert, just my thoughts.
  • PrettyLittleLiar79
    PrettyLittleLiar79 Posts: 189
    Your best option to know fully is to get a HRM. I finally got one, and it helps out alot to know what you are actually burning,
  • scantrll
    scantrll Posts: 271 Member
    Spinning kicks my rear every time I do it. I love it tho and I feel like I get a much higher aerobic workout than on the elliptical. But they do use different muscles. Remember that if you're doing spin correctly you're not bouncing all over the place, but your core is super tight and holding your upper body steady.

    Every time I use the elliptical I use the calorie burn off the machine since it know the resistance I work at the my age, weight, etc. I can tell you the MFP is WAAAAY off when it comes to my burn on the machine. It tries to give me some huge number when really its closer to 1/2 that. But that's me

    I figure, do which ever you enjoy more. Or alternate days. You don't want to do the same thing every day.

    Good luck!
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    I'm not an expert here, but it may be that the elliptical is more of a full body exercise engaging your legs, butt and core all while standing, while spinning might be a little less core, but if you up the resistance on spinning I would assume it would burn more, I think the only way to know for sure is the HRM.

    Agreed! I have worn my HRM doing both. I burn just over 600cals on the elliptical in 45 minutes. My heart rate is up there (usually in the 170's), BUT on the stationary bike..... well I can't get my heart rate above 130-140. Kills my burn (I typically burn half those or less in 45 minutes).... Elliptical is definitely better if you are trying for the calorie burn.
  • njean888
    njean888 Posts: 399 Member
    No way the elliptical burns more than spinning. Try to get a HRM its the best way to know what you are truly burning. My burn is always nothing close to what MFP come up with.
  • Nogo
    Nogo Posts: 105 Member
    Every exercise is what you make of it. Spinning, in my opinion, is one of the easiest to "phone in". If you bust *kitten* at spinning (holding your core tight, crank up the dial), I would think it burns way more than an elliptical in the same period of time...

    Heart Rate Monitor is the only way to know for sure...
  • madisonsteelex
    madisonsteelex Posts: 295
    In an hour on the elliptical, I burn between 700-800 calories.. But I take spinning 3 times a week and it gives me much more of a challenge and kicks my *kitten*, I feel like I'm working harder in spinning.
    It's best to switch up your exercises anyway, because if you only do elliptical for a while, your body will get used to it and stop burning as many calories/fat.
  • forsophia2009
    forsophia2009 Posts: 40
    Thanks everyone for your input!
This discussion has been closed.

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