Cardio question?

Which machine do you think give the better all over workout in regards to cardio and muscles:

Treadmill(running)

Elliptical

Bike

Stair stepper(the one that rotates 360degrees)

I do run 2.5 to 3miles 4x week but just wondering

It all depends on what you want to do.  Personally I prefer the elliptical because I have shinsplints and plantar fascitis so any impact excercises can be painful.  If the bike has handles that will work the arms too that would be good.  I think that is the disadvantage to the other choices - there is no upper body or arm use.  I also say the advantage to elliptical is you can change direction and go backwards all the others its not possible.

I don't think any will build muscles per se -   you would need to do strength training or weights/ resistance pillates etc to accomplish that.  Cardio will help burn the calories and help you lose inches but need to do weights etc.. to firm and shape muscles.

I do my muscles for 4x per week also. so i get overall body workout 4x per week.

I think, daisy, it depends on what you DO on each machine.

Now, being able to keep your arms free DOES burn more muscles as you pump your arms back and forth, so.. perhaps running :)

I usually do 2.5-3miles adn burn anywhere from 350-400 calories in 30 minutes

I think all of the machines will do what you want in that case.  Maybe switch around each day you workout and use a different machine until you find one you like, or switch weekly etc...   Besides switching around is good for the body so it doesn't get accostomed to any one routine and then becomes less efficiant. 

"variety is the spice of life"

I alternate days between running and elliptical for 30 min.  I feel that the elliptical makes me sweat more but running requires a different kind of endurance, and I am sore in different ways after.  I can't bring myself to do the bike because I don't think sitting is great cardio, and the stair-stepper is way too hard.  I am gasping for breath after 10 minutes, lol. 

I always always run. It has been very very good for me to lose weight and keep it off, so i am so scared to change anything! what to do??

Hi Daisy,

I notice that on the stairclimber I burn a lot of calories when I do speed intervals.  I set it to levels 8-10 and I burn about 15 calories a minute so if you do it for 30 minutes that's a good workout and trust me you'll be huffing and puffing by the end of it! Good luck :)

I have to get it out of my head that if i do another cardio machine it is not going to hurt and make me gain weight as long as burn the calories and hit it hard.

I love spinning, it gives a great cardio work out and works your muscles, but when I'm not doing that I alternate between riding my bike, the elliptical and the treadmill. I had an instructor tell me to always mix it up because just like with weight training your body will adjust.

I wish I liked to run, I heard it was great, I just have never liked it.

I have got to mix it up! Little by little and see what happens! Who knows i may get even better results.

one thing i do sometimes is switch up the equipment i use within one workout.  example, 15 min treadmill, 15 min bike, 15 min elliptical.  that way--you don't have to let go of the treadmill/running that you like so much, but you're still getting some variety.  plus it keeps my interest up since i'm switching machines, and your body can't really get into a groove.

So you think switching machine at 15min you are going good cardio. i thought that your body does not start burning calories til 20min cardio. if you swithc at 15min is like you are starting over before even start burning? Or is that the blonde way of looking at it? if so, oops!!

As long as your heart rate stays up is the most important thing.  It's fine to switch and even really good because you are using all different muscles.  So just keep your heart rate elevated for 20+ minutes and you'll be okay. 

I am going to try it slowly but surely. not every day but some days when i just dont want to run!!

    You have to switch it up with cardio so you target your upper and lower body. This is how my routine goes at the gym: I walk 15 minutes, at a fast pace on the treadmill to warm up a bit(80 calories burned). Then I lift weights for an hour, I do specific body parts different days of the week(weight training also burns a lot of calories and is better for your metabolism over a long period of time than ANY cardio). After lifting weights for an hour, I really get into cardio. To start I use the upright bike for 20 minutes(150 calofries burned), next is the rower, 200 meters, which uses your arms, shoulders, every muscle in your back, and your legs to a lesser extent(105 calories burned). To finish, I use the stair stepper(great cardio, fast calorie burn). I am on the stair stepper for 20 minutes also, at level 9(230 calories burned).

    Now, I've been working out for a while, so this is routine for me at this point. Not many people can just walk into a gym and waltz through my routine, but put your own variation on it. Work your way up, whatever works for you. But if you target all body parts during cardio, after the workout and for hours to come, your metabolism stays way up. Just running? You'll burn 300 calories in 3 miles and then your metabolism returns to normal. My cardio routine burns over 500 calories and keeps me burning fat and calories for hours to come.

   My routine is long and it's taken me a while to get here. I know a lot of people are pressed for time, myself as well. But if you want it bad enough, you'll get your ass up early in the morning, get to the gym, and get it done.

   

The 20 minute cardio is in a specific zone you also need to do a warm up and cool down of 5 min each at least so if you are going to "mix it up" maybe do one machine one day and another the next etc... and mix the order too so don't do elliptical Mon and Wed and treadmill Tue Thur but maybe do elliptical mon and tue treadmill wed bike thur etc  always keep your muscles and body guessing on what its going to do that day

jump on a treadclimber if you get the chance, it always gets my heart rate up in a hurry. whew!