Treadmill vs Elliptical (repost advice please)

[nightwish7]

On the treadmill at the gym, I do program 1. Now it goes up to 3.5 and 5 elevation. It doesn't sound like much but it does really get my heart rate up into my training zone and the program lasts 20 mins. I looked at the calories burned and I burned 58.

A friend told me to try the elliptical trainer so I did. I got the resistance up pretty high cause little resistance wasn't working me. I was almost using a stairclimber taking a step every second. I did 5 mins of this and I looked at the calories burned... 160... WOAH!

Is the computers off or is this true. 160 for 5 mins or 58 for 20 is a huge difference. To me the elliptical was harder but if I can burn that kind of calories.....id press it harder.


Whats your opinion?

Hi nighwish7, this was my response to your initial post:

I prefer the treadmill over the elliptical but both will work you really good provided you provide the intensity. If you are not accustomed to the elliptical trainer, it will seem awkward at first, but after you adjust, I believe it is easier than the treadmill.

The truth is in the usage. You can count the number of people you see on the elliptical versus the treadmill going at it hard. Far more people on the elliptical. The elliptical is easier if you have knee problems.

In my opinion, there is nothing like running as a cardiovascular activity. And I mean real running at a good pace, not the pounding jogging stuff that most people do.

As far as accuracy, I don't believe the readings are accurate, but they are better than nothing and will help you see your progression over time.

Hi again nightwish7,

This is the other post to your thread by D'Anthony, so we are back to where we were before I moved it:

I recently started doing the treadmill again..I do intervals of walking for 2 minutes and joggin for 2 minutes. I do this for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterwards I do something else for another 15 to 20. I usually do the elipitical machine. It is very easy on the knees. I have arthritis in my right knee so I only do the treadmill when the knee is doing well. The elipitical machine is great!

[Keyser11]

if you only burned 58 calories with 20 min on the treadmil, you have to be walking a really slow pace. I think that machines counter is way off.
Everything I've read says a treadmill burns alot more calories than the elliptical because the treadmill involves more of your muscles. I have no proof of this but it makes sense (more muscles involved at a given intensity level should equal more calories burned than less muscles involved at the same intensity level)

[killerduck]

I would say that the elliptical would burn more calories. When you think about it with the elliptical you have to use your arm muscles too. Also when you use the elliptical there is no pressure on joints and you dont run the risk of injury. I went running yesterday for the first time in ages. I ran about 8-9 miles and today my knee feels like its about to let go to my lower leg. I wont be running again in a hurry.

[Fatso4noW]

If I run my knees KILL me the next day, I was a catcher for 14yrs so they dont hold up like they did in high school...

I would agree with the other statements about either is good as long as you do them. But I know that to get dead tired, I run for 30min or do the eliptical for 15...

[Bulwark]

Never trust a computer! Those things are off. Try going for what makes you feel like you are working hard. IMO Treadmills are better than eliptical mahines for the fact that you use your core more while running than when you legs go around in circles.