Elyiptical vs treadmill for cardio
So how much are we really sacrificing as far as would be/could be benifits by hopping up on the elyiptical vs hopping on the treadmill? I heard that there's a pretty significant difference. I'm a former competitive runner. I ran in competition for 10 plus years and like so many runners have developed shin splints. This was a very hard thing to accept and deal with being how much I prided myself on being good at the sport. I played a lot of sports but track was always my big stand out, the one and only sport that I could really show my ass and talk junk. But it got to a point eventually my races had to get shorter and shorter cause the shin splints were to painful. Lucky for me I was both a distance runner and a sprinter. But eventually every race was putting a beating on my shins.
I had to give up the treadmill at the gym a long time ago cause that put a far worse beating on my shins then outdoor asphalt running.
So when I walked into retro and saw then 50 elyiptical machines. They were heaven
Sent. I can easily do 40 min to an hour at an average of 7 - 7.5 mph. Not bad for 41. At least I don't think. And when I'm done I feel great. I drenched in sweat. I can literally wring the sweat out of my shirt. And the best part. No pain in my shins. But now I hear that , that workout doesn't come close to the benifits of a treadmill.
What do you guys think????!
Anybody else love the elyiptical as much as I do?????
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I'm a stair master guy . treadmill in the am fasted if I'm leaning out and stairmaster HIT training at night. It sucks but it does the job.
Well it looks like we got a lot more elyiptical fans then I expected. I Definatly glad to see this. When I started this thread I didn't expect to get this type of response. But I love the elyiptical... The first time I discovered it in the gym, it was heaven sent. I can run on it forever. Get an absolute awsome cardio workout, feel like a million bucks when I'm done and the best part. At absolutely no expense to any other of my body parts. No pain in my shins. No pain in my knees, it's just awsome.
You know it's amazing cause I would never have though how easily I can do a whole hour on that thing when you take away the pain and strain of all my body weight coming crashing down on my shins with every step
What's your routine like on an elliptical machine? I currently use a treadmill for intervals and would love to be able to use the same on the elliptical. My cardio has taken a hit because of the same issues you mentioned.
Elliptical changed my life. I was very resistant because in my weird thinking I always thought the Elliptical machine was "for chicks". Yes my knees are junk and my shins take a beating on the treadmill so when the pain got great enough... I can to twice the cardio in half the time now and I'm a happy man (cuz cardio is not my strong suit) :))
I'm a big fan of the Elliptical as well, it's great for your overall endurance and stamina as well as for your heart. If you're trying to increase your run-time however, the elliptical isn't much help aside from the endurance built from it. I prefer the elliptical over everything else to get my heart pumping and a great cardiovascular workout, but I also have to maintain a certain run speed for my profession so I do both.
No. It's just a tool for helping stay tone/ trim and in shape. Keeping the BF down etc. Stuff like that. I got the weights for stregnth and muscle growth so that's just the best thing in addition to my calesthetics for keeping tone & keeping the BF dropping. So far it's been doing a great job. I think because I can go so long and push myself so hard on it, it all just contributes to the benifits.. It's become the favorite part of my workouts. Only real challenge sometimes is having enough time available cause I started at 20min, went to 30, then 40, 50, now I like to push it for a while hour. But with weights that means minimum 90 minutes inside the gym.
I like elliptical machines, but it has to be the right one. There is a huge difference in brands and you need to find one that works for you. I have a bad knee, so running is out. Elliptical can get a little boring, so I throw in stationary bike here and there, stair stepper, and I also swim once in a while, which is a killer workout. Mix it up and see what works best.
Due to your splints, no doubts the elliptical would be more beneficial over a tread mill. If your knees are in pretty decent shape try the stair case to nowhere, it's a beast and watch the fat melt away while your legs get conditioned at the same time. For me it's a love hate relationship with the step mill, but shit juice it works...
Yeah,,there's nothing wrong with my knees. I'm actually very lucky. For 41 years ol, im im very good health. No real problems to speak of. Just them damn shin splints from m being a runner. With every step your whole body weight comes crashing down on them shins it feels like after about 6-7 minutes. But I can definitely do a stairmaster. Actually I want to. I been thinking about buying my own used one cause I done believe my gym has one. But that's another good idea. Just like the elyiptical I won't all my body weight crashing down on my small shins. And still get good and covered in sweat.
StevebRunning on a track or the street gives me better results in less time
Cardio machines should match your training goals. runner/treadmill; crew/row machine; cyclist/bike etc.
For fat loss, any of the cardio machines that would cause the least amount of damage and be "fun" would be good.
I like elliptical machines because they are low impact. Infact, I find running outside to be less impact than running on a treadmill. Steps hurt my knees. I feel awkward using a row machine -they're not fun enough to keep me focused long enough to do any good.
Agreed. I CAN hold up much better outside. Just something about that treadmill. I can't hold up long on it before I gotta jump off. And it's not because im tired or outta breath. It's cause it hurts.
but. I still have the bike, the stairmaster and my favorite the elyiptical so guess I don't need it anyway
RustyhookerI'd bet there's more calories burnt on elliptical just because the exaggerated motion. Speed walking on tread mill even with good incline, your feet stay close to the belt. Elliptical is more motion. I see many folks on them that have older injuries or current too. Low impact.
Elyiptical for me is soooo much better as far as results go And i find it takes less time to see more results
Ok cool. I gotta admit. I AM definitely getting results. I thought maybe I was missing out on even better results but I'm not worried about it no more.
I think it is the same as far as effectiveness.. I bought a stair master for my house myself, that and a heart rate monitor and I burn the same amount of calories as I do on a treadmill..
Ok. That's definitely good to hear. I like that.
Honestly that's my favorite part of my workout.. I do cardio every gym visit. If I'm on my way to work and don't have time, then I go back after work if I have to
Elliptical is what I use. Running on the treadmill gives me shin splints and I have no issue on the elliptical
That's exactly my same issue as stated above. I have shin splints from a decade of competitive running. And that treadmill puts a serious beating on my shins. It hurts to much after only 10 minutes or even less. Those elyiptical machines were heaven sent for a guy like me. I feel like I get an awsome workout cause I can go forever on it and I'm drenched in sweat when I'm done. But I seen somewhere that's it's not nearly as beneficial of a workout as the treadmill.. Idk. I was just curious what people had to say about that
Something definitely has to be working cause o been noticing bf dropping
I only use machines for cardio that have zero impact myself. Between the sports when I was younger and the motorcycle wreck my knees just don't feel good after running or even jump rope. I can squat heavy and have no problem but put me on a treadmill and I will be icing my knees. I mainly do rowing, elliptical and stationary bikes. I do HIIT with the resistance turned up as much as I can take and go balls out. 10 mins in and I am drenched. I have a stationary bike in my home gym and I have that thing smelling like its melting the pads I go at it so hard.
As far as it not being as effective I don't think that is true at all. The biggest problem with running to burn calories is the human body is designed very well for long distance running and is very efficient at it. That efficiency means less calories burned.
Cool. Thanks