What's better for a weight lifter's cardio routine: elliptical or treadmill?

[jinduy]

advice?

 

[bdude]

jump rope

 

[BigJ]

How are your knees?

Elliptical is much easier on your knees, while treadmill is a more common-place exercise.

 

[jinduy]

my knees are fine

 

[Insomniak]

"Better" is a very dubious term. It depends heavily on your goals.

That said, I find cross country jogging to be the most practical and functionally useful. Swimming results in highest caloric burn and is almost zero-impact, so if you need to cut up, head for the pool.

I do not like cardio machines. Coke once put it best: "Can't beat the real thing."

 

[BRObedoza]

try alternating? one week treadmill, one week elliptical.

 

[jinduy]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
"Better" is a very dubious term. It depends heavily on your goals.

That said, I find cross country jogging to be the most practical and functionally useful. Swimming results in highest caloric burn and is almost zero-impact, so if you need to cut up, head for the pool.

good point... my goal is to get cut up and cut the fat. no pool at my gym and too cold to swim out here. i'm not in irvine ne more 🙁.

 

[Insomniak]

Then I recommend cross country jogging.

And I do mean cross country - multi-terrain (asphalt, grass, dirt, etc.) and multi-leveled (hills, obstacles, steep, shallow, jumps, etc).

As for cutting, that is, if I had to pick a number, 75% diet. Abs are made in the kitchen. If you want to get cut, you're going to have to do long term, low intensity cardio (30-60 mins), and watch your caloric intake rigorously. Aim to consume roughly 300 fewer calories daily than you burn. Your goal should be to shed roughly 1-2 pounds of fatty mass per week. At a rate faster than this, your body is likely to slow its metabolism a bit, and you may begin to lose lean mass and water weight, giving you a deflated, flat appearance.

Above all, remember you are looking to change your BODY FAT PERCENTAGE, NOT YOUR WEIGHT. They are completely different measures.