Confused about calories burned- elliptical vs treadmill
simplyychaos
Posts: 53
So I generally hate any form of running- mostly becuase I'm just out of shape to the point where I can't run consistantly for more than a couple minutes before I have to slow down to a walk to catch my breath. Usually, because of that, I stick to the elliptical while at the gym and can generally burn around 10 calories / minute so I get to about 550-600 calories for an hour at the gym.
Yesterday I was feeling motivated and stepped on the treadmill - I walked for 10 minutes to warm up and then proceeded to run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes and towards the end of the jog I was going run 2 minutes, walk 1-1.5 minutes. This was at the speed of 3.0 walk and 5.0 jog.
I KNOW it's slow- please don't tell me to run faster. I'm trying to quit smoking so my lungs are exactly in great shape right now anyways.
What I want to know is why I burned less calories/hr while I was jogging (according to the treadmil) than I ever did on the elliptical. My calfs and theigh muscles are so sore right now and I've never been the day after a go on the elliptical.
I'm not sure whether I should be keeping at the treadmill in order to become a better runner and because it may get me in better shape in the long run? (and potentially completing a 5k this summer!) or if I should just stick to the elliptical because I burn more calories.
Yesterday I was feeling motivated and stepped on the treadmill - I walked for 10 minutes to warm up and then proceeded to run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes and towards the end of the jog I was going run 2 minutes, walk 1-1.5 minutes. This was at the speed of 3.0 walk and 5.0 jog.
I KNOW it's slow- please don't tell me to run faster. I'm trying to quit smoking so my lungs are exactly in great shape right now anyways.
What I want to know is why I burned less calories/hr while I was jogging (according to the treadmil) than I ever did on the elliptical. My calfs and theigh muscles are so sore right now and I've never been the day after a go on the elliptical.
I'm not sure whether I should be keeping at the treadmill in order to become a better runner and because it may get me in better shape in the long run? (and potentially completing a 5k this summer!) or if I should just stick to the elliptical because I burn more calories.
0
Replies
-
I'd like to hear others' thoughts on this as well...I have the same colundrum...0
-
You are burning fewer calories on the treadmill because you are going so slow. I'm not telling you to go faster, just answering your question. My husband runs on the treadmill at the gym and burns abour 400 calories in 30 minutes. Your muscles are sore because you are working different muscles than you do on the elliptical. Running burns more calories than any machine and also strengthens your core. I would continue to try and increase your running. Maybe it will give you more motivation to stop smoking as well.0
-
that is mostly because the machines are inaccurate, you may have burned more on the treadmill and less on the elliptical they the machine told you.
To get the best estimate of calories burned you would need a HRM.0 -
The machines in the gym only give you an estimate of calories burned based on your age and weight. Some you don't input anything and it gives you a "guestimate" at best.
My advice is to get yourself a HRM for a more reliable reading! Hope that helps!0 -
You can't rely on the machine to tell you how many calories you have burned. It's an estimation based off your weight and the speed and duration of your workout. It doesn't take into account your gender or heart rate. To get an accurate gauge of the calories you are burning, you need to get a heart rate monitor.0
-
No expert here but I've been running and using the elliptical as well and I've noticed that during the walking phase of my runs, my heart rate tends to slow down quite fast. However, when I'm on the elliptical, I maintian my heart rate for the entire time I'm working out. This could be a contributing factor as well as you may be raising your heart rate on the elliptical above what you are reaching duriong your runs. I wouldn't give up. The Couch To 5K program is what I used and it was a great way to ease back into running after being off for over 10 years with a back issue. Hang in there and try to gradually increase your run times to give your body a chance to adapt. Good luck!0
-
Yeah, like everyone said, the machines tend to overestimate your calories burned. Sometimes it says I burn 10 kcal/min., but there's no way I could based on my weight/height/speed.0
-
At my gym, I actually burn more calories on the treadmill. I also us a heart rate monitor though, which will be more accurate than the equipment. I find it's easier to cheat on the elliptical, you can find a stride and isolate hips etc. on the treadmill, I start at a good walking pace and increas incline every minute until I reach max incline, then each minute decrease until zero and give a little jog. I try to increase speed as I go down. Sometimes I will spend a few minutes at the higher inclines as well. This has helped me lose a bunch of weight and increased my endurance for races. It uses a lot of big muscle groups, so you burn many calories.0
-
Running to me is a double edge sword...It's the best calorie burner, but it's so hard on the body. The elliptical burns slightly less calories because you aren't so self-propelled, but at least it doesn't pound on your knees and joints so much.0
-
I'm no expert, but I can tell you what I've experienced.
I'm no runner either. And I smoke too. So I know how hard it is to get moving and not get winded and exhausted.
I lost a bunch of weight swimming to start. Then I moved on to the elliptical. I couldn't do much at first but I got better and better at it. The elliptical is very "forgiving" for a new runnner. It supports you. Eventually I could do 45 minutes on the elliptical at a time.
Then I moved to the treadmill. It's harder. I sweat more. I feel it more. I know I'm burning more calories. Whatever the machine or MFP says I can personally just feel the difference. It's harder to run. You don't have the machine cushioning you and helping your legs move like the elliptical does.
So while I may personally feel that running on the treadmill is superior to using the elliptical the most important thing to know is DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Don't go crazy. If you like the elliptical better stick with it until you are a stronger runner. You'll get there.
And what's even more important is that you should be incredibly proud of what you're accomplishing!0 -
Personally, I stick mostly to the elliptical because of the calorie-burn. I also hate running. But I have had much success in the past with weight loss using mostly an elliptical, too. I think the most important thing is what you don't hate doing-- what's going to keep you coming back.
Conventional wisdom is the calorie-burn indicated on a given [properly maintained] cardio machine is accurate within 10%. For this reason, I always subtract 10% -- I'd rather be safe than sorry.0 -
Are you using a HRM or just going by what the each of the machines say is your calorie burn? I have found that each machine is different when compared to a HRM which is a more accurate reading for each individual person than the generic reading on the machines. I get shin splints if I work out solely on the treadmill because of the hard impact so I start on the elliptical the switch to the treadmill trying to get the best of both.0
-
I can tell you in the beginning I could hardly walk a block now I go out and jog 3- 4 miles DONT GIVE UP keep working the treadmill and if you like the elliptical as well on differentdays for different muscle groups the advice to get a HRM is good as well as that is your heart and your calorie burn not the machines estimate
I love Boston my daughter was in school thereand we go often still and there is alot of great jogging in that city so keep it up0 -
Also: good for you for trying to quit smoking!0
-
I have this same problem! I started out practically crawling on the treadmill but now I can do a full blown 30 min run.
Like everyone said, most machines aren't accurate so a HRM is best (I haven't even gotten one yet through myself...). The reason you're so sore is because you're working new muscles. On the elliptical we rely on momentum and the machine stabilizes us to keep going but with the treadmill it is 100% us.
I could barely walk the day after my first run...haha. Just keep at it, no matter how slow you go!0 -
What I want to know is why I burned less calories/hr while I was jogging (according to the treadmil) than I ever did on the elliptical. My calfs and theigh muscles are so sore right now and I've never been the day after a go on the elliptical.
If all you're interested in is Cals burned, then the elleptical will do a better job than the treadmill - based on what you can achieve right now.
But, if you persevere with the running (and walk/run is a programme tons of people follow and works) you will get faster and be able to go further in the same time. This will cause you to burn more calories through the running as your heart rate goes up etc.
Getting outside and running will force you to slow down again, as will running on sand/grass once you've got used to roads. But again, as you get used to it time/distance means you burn more.
One way to push the calories a little and prepare for the road a bit better is to make sure you've got a gradient set on the treadmill. It won't be a dramatic difference, but it will increase the workout and burn a bit more.
But like most others are saying - an HRM is the only way to be truly sure of your figures.0 -
HI I like to go back and forth between the two but what I had noticed is that I burn off more calories walking on tredmill at an incline of 15.0 at a speed between 3.0-3.5. I have noticed that I am getting toned more and my stemina since I am walking uphill is much better. As far as the smoking I hear you girl I was a pack a day girl but last March took Chantix for 1.5 weeks and have not touched a smoke since. You can do it0
-
HRM are still very inaccurate, as they do not take into account what muscle groups are being used.0
-
Keep at it! I know it's hard right now, but it will progressively get easier.
I'm on week 5 of the couch to 5k, since my goal is to participate in the Run For Your Lives 5k in June, and if you had told me a few weeks ago that today i'd run almost 20 minutes, i would've laughed in your face.
I'm not a smoker, but i definitely know how it is to have crap lung capacity in the beginning. But that will get easier, fast.
But, like also mentioned, do what works for you. If you can keep at the treadmill (because you want to run a 5k) then keep at it. But if you find out that you hate it so much that it's actually interferring with you getting a work out in, then stick with the elliptical.
I use both, at least i did until our elliptical died.0 -
Elliptical is more efficint at burning calories i think.
Because while running you constantly give yourself rest as you run(when you step) and it is very easy to adapt to running(especialy if you are light weight cardio bunny)
Elipptical with resistance set is different thing. You continue your motion. And if you use hands to help your legs, its even better, since now u are using all extremities.
its also about METs
1 MET = your normal consumption of air and burning of calories
10 MET = 10x air consumption, and 10x calories burned
4-6 = weight loss
10+ = cardio.
Hope that helps.0 -
that is mostly because the machines are inaccurate, you may have burned more on the treadmill and less on the elliptical they the machine told you.
To get the best estimate of calories burned you would need a HRM.0 -
First off good for you for exercising while still smoking, it's tough but good on you anyways.
When I first started running again I went to the running room and joiined a learn to run program. The way you begin is to run 1 minute walk 1 minute. Do this three times a week. The second week increase your run to 2 minutes and walk one minute. Each week you increase your running by 1 minute and always have a 1 minute walk break until you reach 10 minutes of running. It has been shown that this kind of running leads to less injuries and faster recoveries after bigger runs. So please don't feel like you should be doing more. You aren't on the couch with a bucket of ice cream and that all that matters.
Lastly, all I can say about the calories on the machine is never listen to them. Go on Amazon and buy a HRM and only use that. You can't trust the machines.
Good luck!0 -
Running to me is a double edge sword...It's the best calorie burner, but it's so hard on the body. The elliptical burns slightly less calories because you aren't so self-propelled, but at least it doesn't pound on your knees and joints so much.
I couldnt agree more with the above quote!!
I have invest in a Polar HRM and I just go off that and not the machines as i found they were inaccurate.
I prefer to go on the elliptical as i always feel ive burnt more but carry on with your interval training on the the treadmill...as you will increase your fitness over time
p.s WELL DONE FOR RUNNING!!! :drinker:0 -
you may also burn more calories on the elliptical because there's more resistance! It depends what level you set the machine at.0
-
Are you taking breaks on the elliptical as well? If you're lowering the intensity every couple of minutes on the treadmill but not doing the same on the elliptical that would partially explain it. The other thing to keep in mind is how much more you're working your upper body on the elliptical than when you're on the treadmill. I assume you were keeping your arms bent and swinging them as you ran but if not that would lower the number of calories burned and regardless, the push-pull you have to do on the elliptical just can't be reproduced on the treadmill.
Also, what was your incline on the treadmill? You tend to burn more with a lower pace and higher incline than vice versa.
All that said, in general you will burn more on the elliptical but mixing it up is never a bad thing. I alternate between the two (often I do one for 15 minutes, then my strength circuit, then the other for 15) to minimize boredom and keep my muscles from becoming too used to just one motion.
But regardless, cardio is cardio and that's hardly a bad thing!0 -
I would do both. I like to switch up my workouts because you use different muscles doing different things. And it does not get boring that way.
I use to smoke too. When i quit i started doing just like you are, little elliptical, little treadmill. I would just up my workouts a little at a time.
On the treadmill i did 2 min walking/2 minutes running. I did that for a while then went to the fat loss workout on my treadmill which is 2 minutes walking/2 minutes running but the running is up hill. Way harder.
After doing that for a bit i tried running with no walking and i could do it, it didn't seem hard at all. I think because i was running up hill on the fat loss workouts it didn't seem too bad.
Now i run 2 to 3 days a week and i look forward to it. According to my equipment i don't burn that much running but i sweat way more and i feel it is the best workout i do. I don't worry about the numbers too much.
Quit smoking. You will be so glad you did and you will be amazed at what you can do!0 -
you may also burn more calories on the elliptical because there's more resistance! It depends what level you set the machine at.
strong this^
it all depends how strong are your legs.0 -
So I generally hate any form of running- mostly becuase I'm just out of shape to the point where I can't run consistantly for more than a couple minutes before I have to slow down to a walk to catch my breath. Usually, because of that, I stick to the elliptical while at the gym and can generally burn around 10 calories / minute so I get to about 550-600 calories for an hour at the gym.
Yesterday I was feeling motivated and stepped on the treadmill - I walked for 10 minutes to warm up and then proceeded to run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes and towards the end of the jog I was going run 2 minutes, walk 1-1.5 minutes. This was at the speed of 3.0 walk and 5.0 jog.
I KNOW it's slow- please don't tell me to run faster. I'm trying to quit smoking so my lungs are exactly in great shape right now anyways.
What I want to know is why I burned less calories/hr while I was jogging (according to the treadmil) than I ever did on the elliptical. My calfs and theigh muscles are so sore right now and I've never been the day after a go on the elliptical.
I'm not sure whether I should be keeping at the treadmill in order to become a better runner and because it may get me in better shape in the long run? (and potentially completing a 5k this summer!) or if I should just stick to the elliptical because I burn more calories.
If you smoke, quitting is the most important thing you can do for your health. WAY more important than running vs elliptical, even more importnat than losing weight. WHatever keeps you motivated to do that without gaining weight--do that. Once you've been quit for a while you can worry about which exercise is better for your health.
I quit 7 years ago.0 -
Far from expert but in general on an elliptical you also use your arms, unless you really get them pumping while you run this could be a possibility0
-
I would alternate the two. Do the elliptical one visit and the treadmill the next.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions