Running vs elliptical?

kps1104
kps1104 Posts: 58
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
hi,

so this week I started working out and going to the gym...I am determined to lose these lbs. I tried working out at home and with too much going on so I had to start going to the gym. I was doing the elliptical and some ab work and ending with bike time; even though I was sore I kept going, yay! Yesterday the gym was closed so I didn't want to lose my workout so I went to the local park and jogged/walked 3 miles...mind you I am no runner but I did my best. Today I am completely sore! Way more sore than going to the gym...so my question is, what is better, hitting the gym or hitting the trail? I don't want to over do it, but I want to see results :)

Replies

  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    I burn way more calories when I run vs. going on the elliptical. But I do try to shake things up and not always do the same workout, so sometimes I do the elliptical, sometimes I run, sometimes I take a class.
  • cmgehrke
    cmgehrke Posts: 20 Member
    do both! vary your activity as much as you can to aviod boredom!
  • hnsaunde
    hnsaunde Posts: 757 Member
    I have done both. I prefer to run, but I can't run every day, it's way too hard on my joints. I would keep switching it up, you won't get bored that way.
  • tallen3687
    tallen3687 Posts: 244 Member
    I am very curious about this too. Going even further, which is better, treamill or running/walking outside.
  • ackeebee
    ackeebee Posts: 1,042 Member
    i do both. i tend to burn more calories running but some days i don't feel like running so i will opt for the elliptical instead.
  • cassidygrooms
    cassidygrooms Posts: 64
    I am the WORST runner but every now and then I try. But I looovvee the elliptical and I don't get as tired as easily, so I usually stick to elliptical.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    do both! vary your activity as much as you can to aviod boredom!

    This. I also burn way more calories when I run; it's so much harder for me to run for 30 minutes than do 45 minutes on the ellipitcal. I've noticed now that I have a HRM that when I run, my heart rate is up in the high 160s (ugh), and on the treadmill, I keep it in the mid 140s. That's a pretty huge difference.

    However, I think it's good to do both - or even add a third type of exercise. Keep your body guessing and keep your mind from getting bored.
  • yankeedownsouth
    yankeedownsouth Posts: 717 Member
    I am very curious about this too. Going even further, which is better, treamill or running/walking outside.

    Running on pavement is much harder on your joints than running on a treadmill. However, there are some of us (ME!), who are not coordinated enough to run on a treadmill, so I have to do it outside.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I echo the sentiment to do both, they are perfect foils for each other. Generally running burns more calories for the same perceived effort in the same time, but the elliptical is easier on your joints and it takes the agony out of working out when the weather is soooo horrible you can't face going outside!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I prefer running, but there's absolutely no reason to not do both.
  • kammy92
    kammy92 Posts: 408 Member
    I have done both. I prefer to run, but I can't run every day, it's way too hard on my joints. I would keep switching it up, you won't get bored that way.

    I think that's what I need to do.................I have been using the elliptical everyday................I don't run alot cause it bothers my one knee if I do it constantly............
  • NaomiLyn15
    NaomiLyn15 Posts: 388 Member
    Running in general will burn more calories because you engage more muscles to do it. I have heard that running on pavement will burn more than a treadmill, but I doubt that it is significant. So, if I were you, I would mix it up at the gym. Do the elliptical some days and the treadmill others. All the machines do use different muscles, so it is good to mix it up anyways. I use the bike, treadmill, stairstepper, and treadmill at my gym. I try to mix it up and keep my body guessing. It has been working for me.
  • kps1104
    kps1104 Posts: 58
    yeah, I like doing both...I suck at running, but was very proud that I did it :) I just felt way more sore so I was wondering if running helps to lose more weight. I wear a HRM so I noticed I burned a few more cals, but it totally worked different muscles...I may go to the gym and do the elliptical today and go running tomorrow :) thanks guys!
  • sassafrasy
    sassafrasy Posts: 113
    no pain, no gain. I do the exercises that are the hardest for me. To me, I will be burning more calories that way.
  • brandyosu
    brandyosu Posts: 257 Member
    I may be way off base with this (so take anything I write with a grain of salt), but I believe the reason the outdoor stuff is more difficult is because you are not in a controlled environment. On a treadmill or on an elliptical, you can control your speed, elevation, etc. Outdoors, you have a lot more factors to contend with that you don't have control over. Wind resistance, changes in terrain and elevation, etc. But like others have said, it's nice to be able to change up your routine to avoid boredom.
  • tsegears
    tsegears Posts: 94
    I like them both, but I really prefer to vary my exercises, i.e., running, elliptical, bike, Zumba, strength training, etc. This way body doesn't get use to me doing one thing. Besides, I was in therapy for my knee before the holidays, and my orthropedic doctor told me to cross train. This way I would be breaking up the repetitive activity of running and strengthening my knee in at the same time, so that I would be able to sustain repetitive activities such as running. But, you have to listen to your body and see what works better for you.


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  • choirgirl1130
    choirgirl1130 Posts: 80 Member
    doesn't matter what mode of exercise you use...if you are trying to burn calories its all about your heart rate & time. the higher your HR and the longer you workout, the more caloires you will burn.
    while the elliptical has almost zero impact on your joints, the impact your body receives depends on the surface. on a scale of 1-10, cement would be a 10, asphalt around 6 (that's why runners run in the street), grass or dirt trails 3-4. i like to run but had to quit due to the stress it was putting on my body. i find that ellipicals work well or even better AMT machines, because you can simulate a running stride and get the calorie burn in!
  • sixisCHANGEDjk
    sixisCHANGEDjk Posts: 243
    I run a lot on the treadmill. I ran my first 5k the other day on 'mostly' concrete and my shins are still sore. Mine is mostly in the shins. I do burn a lot more calories running it seems than any other exercise. I have been on the elliptical this week giving my shins time to heal.

    If it's shin splints causing you the most trouble; check out Trail_Addicts article. It's very helpful.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/322021-help-with-your-shin-splints
  • hnsaunde
    hnsaunde Posts: 757 Member
    I am very curious about this too. Going even further, which is better, treamill or running/walking outside.

    Running on pavement is much harder on your joints than running on a treadmill. However, there are some of us (ME!), who are not coordinated enough to run on a treadmill, so I have to do it outside.

    I know exactly what you mean! Except it was the opposite for me. I'm now so used to running on the treadmill that running outside kills me! I like to use the treadmill for interval training because it forces me to keep my speed up when I'm sprinting, but for my longer runs I like to get outside every once in a while. It's minus 30 degrees Celcius here right now, so I'm sticking to the treadmill until it warms up.
  • kardowling
    kardowling Posts: 222 Member
    I've been a long distance runner for years and burn much more calories running. Having knee problems so switched to eliptical. Not burning as many calories, BUT my arms are toning up much more. A great alternative for me.
  • emmyvera
    emmyvera Posts: 599 Member
    Do both for sure! :wink:
    Even those two aren't enough for me to keep losing. I mix them up with zumba, yoga, etc. Also, I add some weight training too, so I can keep my muscles worked while shredding from the cardio. It's nuts, but I must spice up my routine as much as possible to get results. It's a fun process though and I never get bored from week to week! :happy: Good Luck!
  • NicoleSchimmel
    NicoleSchimmel Posts: 162 Member
    I am training (or pre-training) for a 10K in a few months. Like many people said, it's best to switch your routine up. I go to the gym three days/week, and I do switch between treadmill/strength, ellipitical/strength, stairstepper/strength/treadmill. I prefer the treadmill, but don't like how my knees feel after.

    I think running on the treadmill and running outside are about the same, IF you adjust the incline setting on the treadmill. I don't want to run outside in the cold (it's 8 degrees here), so I opt to run on an incline on the treadmill.

    hope this helps!
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