Running or elliptical?

I was on an elliptical the majority of the time I was losing weight. Just turn up the resistance and incline if it seems too easy. I may start switching over to more running though. Running is a HELL of a workout for my legs, which I really need at the moment. I feel I've been neglecting them.

Most men do neglect their legs and tend to focus more on upper body. But a good leg workout, as you already know, is a great way to burn a ton of calories, so get back to them

To answer the original post, I work out on a machine very similar to the eliptical. It is a PreCor Cross-Trainer 100i. It has a greater range of motion for both arms and legs and the intensity is much higher than a standard eliptical. I use it because of a knee injury two years ago that keeps me from the constant impact of running. But everyone is different in what they enjoy and that is what I recommend...do what you like doing. A good HRM will give you a calorie count, which would be very similar for either exercise if the settings are adjusted properly.

Are heart rate monitors convenient and easy to use? Any recommendations?

I recommend the ones that have the 2 parts - the watch and then the band to go around your rib cage. I found mine at walmart.. super cheap. You can go to sports places and spend more.. but if you just want to know the heart rate, keep it simple.

I dont recommend the ones that are only the watch bc if it is loose/moves around, you can't get a read (obviously) and most of the time i am doing cardio... you are moving... A lot!!

Most places will honor a return or exchange so just try one and go!

The cartilidge in my knees was smashed to tiny little pieces when i was in my teens from being hit by a truck so the only choice i have is the Elliptical unless I want to be in pain

I the Eliiptical.

I use the elliptical just because I have a bum knee and running makes it hurt like hell. The elliptical does not bother my knee at all.

I just started switch days between the 2. I used to do only treadmill, but I think that they are both great for fat loss.

I like to do both i'm recovering from an injury right now and can't run at all and have been on the stationary bike for now. When i can find it i also like the summit climbers you just have to mess with the resistance and goals i get bored easily so i have to switch things up a lot.

I have wondered this as well. I seem to burn more cals on the elliptical, but I feel my heart rate is way higher when running. I don't have a hrm, but I just go according to the machines. I get way sweatier running, but I can do the elliptical way longer.
I usually do 30min elliptical and 20mins jogging.

If you're burning far fewer calories on the elliptical than running, it's your intensity and that can be adjusted. I work out at the highest resistence I can (but I lower it for a few minutes here and there) and push as fast and hard as I can and burn either as many or more calories as when I run, though I don't FEEL like I'm working as hard. I can do the elliptical longer and more intense because of the low-impact.

I rarely run on a treadmill. If I can't run outside, I don't run.

I like to mix it all up, though. I run two or three days a week, do Zumba one night a week, swim (when it's warmer) and use my elliptical at least one day a week. Plus yoga and strength training.

I really think it's a good idea to mix up your workouts as much as possible. It helps with endurance and works different muscles or the same muscles in different ways. And keeps the boredom away.