Running vs Elliptical for fat burning?

[BigToque]

What would you guys say is better for getting into shape, running a track for 30 minutes or using the elliptical for 30 minutes?

I find it much easier to use the elliptical for 30 minutes. With running, I don't even think I could keep an even pace for 20 minutes at the moment.

Bottom line, I should keep doing something, but should I maybe try to move into running?

 

[kogase]

If it's easy, it won't burn fat.

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: kogase
If it's easy, it won't burn fat.

I can maintain my heart rate at 140-150 for 30 minutes. Isn't that exactly what I want to burn fat?

I could probably do 45 minutes on the elliptical before I started to feel really tired.

 

[flyfish]

The Elliptical seems easier because of the lack of impact.
You will burn fat using the elliptical as well or better than running. You can go for longer without feeling so "beat up" but it can get quit boring.
I say why not do both?

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: BigToque

Originally posted by: kogase
If it's easy, it won't burn fat.

I can maintain my heart rate at 140-150 for 30 minutes. Isn't that exactly what I want to burn fat?

I could probably do 45 minutes on the elliptical before I started to feel really tired.

If you can go for a long time and maintain a high heartrate, you will burn fat. However, if it's easy, or if you simply do the same thing for a long time, your body will adapt and will burn considerably less fat. You need to be constantly increasing the amount of effort you put in for any exercise to be worthwhile. Also, I would consider looking into HIIT if I were you, for burning fat. It is said that anaerobic exercises are far superior for burning fat than simple aerobic ones. This would mean sprints on a track or extremely intense work on the Elliptical, to bring your heart rate to 90-100% of your max, interspersed with periods of lower intensity exercise (60-70% max heart rate).

 

[IMaN00BieGF]

Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

I have been doing an hour at a time on the eliptical at the gym, set at about 4 or 5 for resistance. After that hour, I'm usually pretty wasted.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i find running to be much harder than machines... i did a "6 minute mile" pace on a machine, but i KNOW i couldn't do it around a real track

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

Just about to say the same.

Elliptical is the best all round workout. Less strain and impact, but good workout.

 

[KoolDrew]

For fat loss you should really concentrate on a good diet and weight training program. However, cardio is still good to do for overall health and to allow more flexibility in your diet. For cardio I suggest HIIT. I prefer running.

 

[Kermy]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
For fat loss you should really concentrate on a good diet and weight training program. However, cardio is still good to do for overall health and to allow more flexibility in your diet. For cardio I suggest HIIT. I prefer running.

This guy knows what he's talking about. Diet > Weight Training > Cardio. I'm currently cutting and it's all about HIIT for me. You do 30 mins of elliptical and your body will adapt to conserve calories.

 

[l Xes l]

It's really ur diet that will make it or break it.. if u like running.. run.. if u want to mix it mix... the key is the CONSISTENT FREQUENCY and making it into your lifestyle not just a goal..

 

[gotsmack]

if you use the eliptical don't turn the resistance up too high. You'll hurt your knees.

I used to use the elliptical 4 times a week for an hour. It was the best because I could watch tv while i used it.

I use a recumbant bike now. Just wait for sports authority to have an online FF sale for 25% off and get the cheapest one. it works great.

 

[vi edit]

I ran cross country in high school and college.

My recommendation?

The elliptical (so long as it's a quality one).

You can keep intensity up on it longer than you can running and at the benefit of saving your joints. I feel that they provide excellent workouts and are a superior replacement to running for many people. If you are out of shape or overweight, you are much better off working out for 30 minutes on an elliptical than destroying yourself while attempting to run.

The elliptical also provided a diversified workout - you could target different parts of your legs as well as drop it in reverse and then workout the opposite muscle groups for a bit.

High quality elliptical trainers are pretty much the best cardio products available.

 

[James3shin]

being suspended from a machine hinders a persons development of support muscles. Even when we wear shoes, support muscles on our feet are not being worked out, thus the recent fad of barefoot running in grass or by using the Nike "Free" shoes. When on an eliptical, a persons support muscles are not being worked out because of the body being suspended. The best way to burn fat, hands down is swimming. Swimming is anaerobic, provides resistance to all facets of the body including support muscles, and not as rough on joints.

 

[IMaN00BieGF]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

Just about to say the same.



Elliptical is the best all round workout. Less strain and impact, but good workout.

Well I lost 75 lbs after I stopped using the elliptical and started running and using the stairmaster. Lifting weight as well ofcourse. I guess do whatever works for you.

 

[TheSlamma]

I agree with vi save your joints, trashed knees in your 40's just means fat again by your 50's

 

[Legend]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
For fat loss you should really concentrate on a good diet and weight training program. However, cardio is still good to do for overall health and to allow more flexibility in your diet. For cardio I suggest HIIT. I prefer running.

Winner!

I've got very little fat, and I focus on diet and weight training before cardio. HIIT is fast and effective. Minimizing muscle loss and time spent.

 

[Vich]

I ride my road bike for exercise. I live in a very hilly area, so i encounter steep grades and long slowly rising grades frequently. Therefore i do 5 miles of hills and im a goner. While if i drive to a state park and ride around on there 11 mile flat course I do it with no problem...

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

Just about to say the same.



Elliptical is the best all round workout. Less strain and impact, but good workout.

Well I lost 75 lbs after I stopped using the elliptical and started running and using the stairmaster. Lifting weight as well ofcourse. I guess do whatever works for you.

So you instantly assumed that it was the elliptical in your messed up equation? If you lost 75lbs it's more than just cardio.

Part of the problem is the fat asses who get on the elliptical, go for a leisurely stroll, don't come close to even 50% of their heartrate, hold onto the handrails, and read a magazine. Same with the stairclimber people - holding onto the rails means you burn less calories.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

Just about to say the same.



Elliptical is the best all round workout. Less strain and impact, but good workout.

Well I lost 75 lbs after I stopped using the elliptical and started running and using the stairmaster. Lifting weight as well ofcourse. I guess do whatever works for you.

So you instantly assumed that it was the elliptical in your messed up equation? If you lost 75lbs it's more than just cardio.

Part of the problem is the fat asses who get on the elliptical, go for a leisurely stroll, don't come close to even 50% of their heartrate, hold onto the handrails, and read a magazine. Same with the stairclimber people - holding onto the rails means you burn less calories.

No kidding. When I was routinely using the ellipticals I was shooting for about 150-160 BPM for about 40 minutes at a time. That's a decent workout.

And you can sing praise and hymns about diet and weight lifting all you freaking want...when you are burning 500-800 calories at a time when busting your ass doing cardio YOU ARE GOING TO BURN FAT. The only exception is if you are gouging yourself with 5000 calories of utter crap.

When I was running 80 miles a week and putting in another 40 on the bike, I couldn't get enough calories in my body. My body was basically a furnace that constantly needed to have fuel to feed it. I was consuming over 3000 calories a day and I only weighed 155 pounds @ 6' tall.

If you work out enough, you WILL burn off fat without altering your diet.

 

[Rudee]

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Not true. When your body starts to burn fat and how much fat it burns varies from person to person. There is no magical switch that comes on after 20 minutes of cardio that makes your body burn fat. If you still have blood and liver glycogen available to burn, your body will burn that before it taps into your fat stores.

 

[CarlKillerMiller]

I use an elliptical every day at the gym, and so far, I've had pretty good results.


One question, though: What sort of HR should I be shooting for? I'm 18, and I usually get it (at the peak of the 30 minute session I do) to about 190. It stays that way through the rest of the workout, until I run a 5 minute cooldown.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Legend]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: kogase

Originally posted by: IMaN00BieGF
Don't use the elliptical. I used to and my trainer told me to stop using it. You don't carry all of your body weight on the elliptical, you get assistance. Definately run instead. You have to carry all of your body weight when you run, but keep in mind, you don't start burning fat until after 20 minutes of cardio. So every minute after 20 minutes your burning fat.

Your trainer doesn't know what they're talking about. The bottom line in any cardiovascular activity is your heart rate, not how much your legs are carrying. If you're on the elliptical and your heart rate is where it needs to be you're doing exactly what you should be doing.

Just about to say the same.



Elliptical is the best all round workout. Less strain and impact, but good workout.

Well I lost 75 lbs after I stopped using the elliptical and started running and using the stairmaster. Lifting weight as well ofcourse. I guess do whatever works for you.

So you instantly assumed that it was the elliptical in your messed up equation? If you lost 75lbs it's more than just cardio.

Part of the problem is the fat asses who get on the elliptical, go for a leisurely stroll, don't come close to even 50% of their heartrate, hold onto the handrails, and read a magazine. Same with the stairclimber people - holding onto the rails means you burn less calories.

No kidding. When I was routinely using the ellipticals I was shooting for about 150-160 BPM for about 40 minutes at a time. That's a decent workout.

And you can sing praise and hymns about diet and weight lifting all you freaking want...when you are burning 500-800 calories at a time when busting your ass doing cardio YOU ARE GOING TO BURN FAT. The only exception is if you are gouging yourself with 5000 calories of utter crap.

When I was running 80 miles a week and putting in another 40 on the bike, I couldn't get enough calories in my body. My body was basically a furnace that constantly needed to have fuel to feed it. I was consuming over 3000 calories a day and I only weighed 155 pounds @ 6' tall.

If you work out enough, you WILL burn off fat without altering your diet.

By lose weight you mean lose fat I'm sure. There's lots of studies out there showing that HIIT will minimize muscle loss, and it saves time. Doing long cardio will tear up more muscle.

While I agree you will lose fat quickly doing tons of cardio, you will also lose muscle. And by not changing your diet, you have not fixed the source of the problem. Most people don't intend to do all that cardio for the rest of their lives. If they go back to their old diet, they most assuredly will gain the fat back. And if they've lose muscle, their metabolism is even slower, and they will gain even more fat.

Most Americans are good at losing weight, but not at stopping the cause of the problem. You've got to permanently improve your diet to stop it from happening again. I'm not saying that you should count calories and starve yourself. If you really eat healthy, then you won't be hungry and you won't gain fat. You'll never look at the calories.