treadmill vs. elliptical

karat · November 12th, 2005, 10:55 PM

which is better? which burns more calories?

muchlove · November 12th, 2005, 11:13 PM

Gosh... I don't know, but I have an elliptical, and I used to have a treadmill. I find that the elliptical kicks my ass a lot harder than the treadmill did. Not sure about calories, though.

suede · November 13th, 2005, 08:18 AM

I have both - I only use the treadmil so from that stand point it doesn't matter which burns more cals it's what you will actually use.

I suspect the elliptical burns more cals though considering it's upper and lower body.

007mommy · November 13th, 2005, 02:46 PM

I was wondering that myself too? I guess that they might have the same effect if you are running on the treadmill.

barbiedoll25 · November 13th, 2005, 02:50 PM

It all depends on how hard you are working. If you are on the elliptical and you are at level 2 for 30 min, you aren't burning as much as if you worked at level 10 for 3o min. If you are on the treadmill, and you walk at 3.5 for one hour you are not working as hard as someone running 7.0 for 30 min. If you are out of breath and sweating profusely you are working out hard enough regardless of what machine you are on.

A*O · November 13th, 2005, 02:55 PM

My trainer says elliptical every time which is great because I HATE running. Apart from giving you a whole body workout, it's low impact which is always a good thing. But it boils down to personal preference.

barbiedoll25 · November 13th, 2005, 03:06 PM

Ok well it depends on how fit you are. I know when I am on an elliptical machine for 30 min of intervals from level 3 to level 10, I am not nearly as out of breath/sweating as much as when I run for 7.0 mph for 30 min. It all depends on fitness level. I can run up 8 flights of stairs ( I tested myself in my buliding the other day) without getting out of breath. So, as personal preference, I would rather go for what would challenge me cardio wise. But again it is different for everyone!

suede · November 14th, 2005, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lalaland

I know the elliptical is better but I only warm up on it for 5-10 minutes. I use the treadmill for my cardio workout. The elliptical just isn't "comfortable" to me for some reason.

Same here.
My boyfriend loves it though, weird.

Rambie · November 29th, 2005, 12:08 PM

My trainer says that running on an incline on the treadmill and running on the elliptical are the best cardio workouts, you will burnt he most calories these two ways. I like the elliptical but I get so damn bored after 15 mins I want to scream, I don't know what to do, I listen to music watch TV nothing works so odd!

Icepik · November 29th, 2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rambie

My trainer says that running on an incline on the treadmill and running on the elliptical are the best cardio workouts, you will burnt he most calories these two ways. I like the elliptical but I get so damn bored after 15 mins I want to scream, I don't know what to do, I listen to music watch TV nothing works so odd!

I know exactly what you mean!!

tictac · November 29th, 2005, 04:23 PM

I have an elliptical, but I usually choose to go jogging instead. Nothing kicks my butt like a good jog (even though I HATE doing it). Last year I used my elliptical for several months, then switched to jogging, and the weight just seemed to melt off after that. That convinced me that there's no equal to jogging, for me anyway. Did I mention how much I hate it?

A*O · November 29th, 2005, 09:38 PM

Everyone is different - I HATE jogging/running, mainly because it wrecks my knees and I have too much boobage even with a cast iron sports top/bra. Low impact elliptical is better for me and I think it works glutes better. I am seriously considering buying an elliptical because I know I would use it. The problem is finding somewhere to put it. They are quite substantial pieces of equipment.

Daphne · December 1st, 2005, 01:32 AM

The elliptical kills me. I usually walk briskly on the treadmill for 30 minutes, then do weights, and then end with the elliptical. I can't do more than 5-10 minutes on the elliptical, though.

PlasticGirl · December 2nd, 2005, 10:44 AM

SO glad to hear people here also want to SCREAM with boredom. I HATE cardio, i dispISE cardio. My weight trainer always says "so... how's the cardio been going" and i say "shuddup and train bitch" kidding - i tell him "its NOT"
I HATE CARDIO - i would rather eat my own poo. Lunges and squats are even better than the mundane ol cardio stuff

Rambie · December 2nd, 2005, 12:25 PM

I so so so so agree. My traner always asks me that too "so how cardio?" I do it but it is so hard for me I get so bored I always try tothink of new ways to keep busy. The other day I had a walkman on, flippng through a magazine, and had the TV on all at the same time, it helped a little. Also I hide the clock from myself other wise every second is an eternity. Sometimes on the elliptical I will close my eyes and try to relax, that can work for a few minutes to, to kind of meditate. It is so hard