anyone else think the elliptical is BS?

okay so i have runners bias.....

i'm training for a marathon and my trainer recommended i start shocking my system by doing the elliptical and the stationary bike. 

on the treadmill after i set my weight i run 8miles in 1 hour (7.5 minute mile) and i burn almost 700 calories.....which i find extremely hard

on the elliptical i go at about 92rpm and i burn close to 850 calories in 1 hour....

not that i care about caloric burn - i just think that it seems like bogus b/c the ellptical is sooooo much easier - i talked to the trainer at the gym and she said that calibration on ellipticals is a "guideline" and she guesses the burn is actually about 50% less.

does anyone else find this? i thought maybe i'm not pushing myself hard enough on the elliptical....but if i was i'd be burning +1000 calories - and i'm only 105 pounds! impossible!

While the elliptical may be easier in comparison to running (I run too, and have used both machines), the important thing is the INCLINE on the elliptical. I think that elliptical-ing forces you to use your muscles, particularly your quadriceps and calves. I guess it is comparable to running uphill, admittedly at a slower pace. But I do agree that running is definitely harder and should burn more calories!

Good luck on your marathon!

*M*

I'm no professional trainer, but why would you use the elliptical if you can run?  I would think you would get more benefit from weight training your lower body in addition to running. 

Ditto on the good luck on the marathon!

I deff burned less on an elliptical in 30 min than I did on a tredmill running but I was also not trying that hard cause I was reading a book and stayed around 140-150 strides per minute. But  i do agree you should be able to burn more calories running since your working harder to move. I only use the elliptical to give my shins and knees a break.

Original Post by opusanna:

I'm no professional trainer, but why would you use the elliptical if you can run?  I would think you would get more benefit from weight training your lower body in addition to running. 

 

The advantage of elipticals is that they are a lot easier on the joints. I am 22 and have arthritis so, while I find running a heck of a lot easier, my bones don't thank me for it later!

pretty much it's easy on the joints - allows me to take a day off of running while still keeping my endurance up....

as well if you are the type of person that wants to lose weight - your body adapts really fast to your workout...so it helps your metabolism....also try to incorporate HITT a few times a week.

what would be the equivalent to running 8mph on the eliptical?

All machines give innacurate calorie burns.  If you want to know for sure get a hrm that is programmable to your specifics ( height weight etc...) and the constant monitoring of the heart rate will give a better estimate of cals burned.

I personally find the elliptical harder than running - at least when I work it right.  I can't run much on a treadmill though do to shinsplints so the elliptical is ideal for me to get my heart rate going without stressing the legs.

Good luck on the marathon.

Yep, I find the elliptical easy compared to running, although if it's supposed to be an off day  that may be ok. I'm a huge believer in cross training to avoid injury ... biking is great, especially if you can go outside. I just got back from biking some hill repeats - great workout. Another alternative that would be easy on the joints would be swimming - it's not as intense as running but uses a whole different set of muscles.

Unless you've been running for many years, running more than 3 or 4 times a week can be asking for injury. If you're a seasoned runner (runing consistently for 3+ yrs), then run if you'd rather and you'll be fine.

I'm not sure what your trainer might be getting at saying it would 'shock the system' ... the best way to get better at running ... run. If anything, core work and strength training would be a good addition.

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Original Post by opusanna:

I'm no professional trainer, but why would you use the elliptical if you can run?  I would think you would get more benefit from weight training your lower body in addition to running. 

 

The advantage of elipticals is that they are a lot easier on the joints. I am 22 and have arthritis so, while I find running a heck of a lot easier, my bones don't thank me for it later!

 That's why I use the elliptical.  I have a bad ankle, but if I could run, I'd be out running instead.  It's just the next best thing that I've found. 

I do the elliptical on a resistance and incline of 9, and I never let my rpm go below 200. I find that the elliptical feels easier than the treadmill and I also can't get my heart rate to go as high on the elliptical compared to when I run.

I was a runner for 15-20 years and now have one knee replaced and the other is causing me great pain and will eventually be replaced.  I enjoyed running and was told running makes strong front muscles so you need to work back muscles with weights.  But now that I have one knee replaced and the other one causing me pain I use the elliptical for a 45 minute workout and the treadmill for the other 45 minutes.  The elliptical gives me the running feeling I miss so much and works different muscles than the treadmill but of course I'm not running on the treadmill.  The elliptical is great for zero impact and if I increase the level then it makes it more difficult to move and you get a better workout. 

I hate the elliptical. Even if I crank up the resistance, it never feels like I'm getting a good workout, compared to running or biking. It also takes forever to get my heartrate up & to keep it in my optimal range. I only use the elliptical if I want to have an easier workout.

I think a lot of people go too slowly on the elliptical, at too low a resistance level. I do a 45 min routine on the elliptical incorporating different resistance levels, hills, and reverse movements (which is great for the hamstrings, btw). I never go below 170 strides per minute. Usually I hit between 190-210 for the majority of the workout. I also incorporate HIIT. People think I'm a nutcase for going so fast, but working out isn't supposed to be a walk in the park.

Without the elliptical, I probably would never have gotten through my first week of exercise, and learned to like it. I get bored on a stationary bike, I hate the treadmill, my joints can't handle running outside (although I'm trying to change that).

Had I not found (via the elliptical) that I actually like exercising and that it makes me feel better than sitting on my ass, I wouldn't have tried weight lifting and found I like that most of all. I wouldn't be as strong as I am today, or look as good.

So no, I don't think the elliptical is bs. I think it's a great tool for people who aren't born runners but still need to get moving.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Had I not found (via the elliptical) that I actually like exercising and that it makes me feel better than sitting on my ass, I wouldn't have tried weight lifting and found I like that most of all. I wouldn't be as strong as I am today, or look as good.

So no, I don't think the elliptical is bs. I think it's a great tool for people who aren't born runners but still need to get moving.

 Actually, I'd agree with that. If I hadn't started using an elliptical at my gym, I would probably still be going to Curves! Talk about repetitive & boring exercises!

Oh yeah I think the elliptical is crap. I weigh upwards of 300 pounds and after an hour of riding on the eliptical it said I burned 100 calories. Now I know my elliptical doesn't have a weight and height function so for some reason the factory thought that programming this bike for a 50 pound man was for some reason a good idea. HOWEVER I still think time can be spent MUCH better doing other things than sitting on a chair and pedaling while watching TV. Which is why I now ride a real bike. So much more challenging and rewarding ( I live in Utah and like on top of a mountain, so once you go down you have to go back up at some point haha ). So forget the elliptical, ride a real bike I love it.

I actually find that the elliptical burns more than the treadmill, once I get a good rhythm going I can feel it in my arms and legs and evrywhere. I also find I lose more weight, sweat more, get a better workout on that than the treadmill, and I can sustain it for longer endurance (I have sports related knee injuries). and that I lose more weight (I switch it up sometimes between the various cardio machines at our gym). Also it helps that our gym has the expensive ellipticals, that are highly programmable... But that's just me. Everyone's body is slightly different and I think responds differently to different forms of cardio exercise.

Original Post by grahamhz:

HOWEVER I still think time can be spent MUCH better doing other things than sitting on a chair and pedaling while watching TV. Which is why I now ride a real bike.

Ellipticals aren't stationary bikes...

in a word...YES!

I also find the elliptical much easier than running, but it is possible to crank up its resistance. I've been stuck on it for 2 months in rehab from stress fractures, and while I don't hate it as much as a treadmill, it is not particularly enjoyable. That said, don't forget to cross train or you'll end up with stress fractures! And they suck. Very badly.

     A heart rate monitor is definitely the way to go. Elliptical are good for people that have joints or pains that come during running, also good when you need less impact. I have run for 45 minutes and felt like I was going to collapse, and worked out pretty strenuously on the elliptical for 45 minutes and when compared them the elliptical told me I burned 200 more calories.... upon using a heart rate monitor, it was about 20 extra calories while running. The elliptical at most gyms do not calculate the calories right.

     I run a few times a week, use the stepper a few times a week and use the eliptical a few times a week so I dont get bored or too comfortable with one machine. If you are worried about calories use a heart rate monitor, but enjoy the less strenuos excersize that the eliptical gives.