Treadmill vs. elliptical...

Ok. I know the amount of calories you will burn on these machines depends on what program they are using. The machines I use have heart rate monitors on them. So, I think they are fairly accurate in calculating my calories burned.

However, why then does it say I burn more calories on the elliptical than treadmill? When on treadmill, I do the weight loss mode at 4 miles an hour and I SWEAT. I feel like I'm working so hard. On the elliptical, I also do weight loss mode (same amount of time), but I sweat less and don't feel like I've worked so hard. But it says I've burned MORE calories on the elliptical than treadmill (which I feel takes more effort).

Anyone notice this? Is it b/c the elliptical is more aerobic (like running) but less impact, therefore easier to do?

That's me guess.

Thanks!

I've noticed that too....I've also heard it reported that gym exercise equipment calorie monitors can vary in accuracy, with most telling us that we've burned more than we did.

I think we have to trust our bodies and if one machine makes us sweat and feels harder than another, it probably is...It could be that we just need to up the resistance/difficulty on the elliptical to make it more equivalent.

Yes, depends on what you are doing on each machine. But you never want to do the same routine everyday. Mixing it up is the key so use both. I do HIIT on both, sprints on the treadmill. Very fast work on elliptical so I get a good workout on both plus mixing it up prevents adaptation.

i do a different program on the treadmill each time i hit the gym. about 45 minutes..

i get up to incline 11 and walking 4.2 speed and this is KILLER GREAT!

i always end up a sweaty mess on the treadmill (I dispise running, so i get as close to running as i can while still walking) and I feel its best for me.

it says i burn around 370 cals, i log at 350 always and by the way i feel afterwards, im sure that i burned something close to that. I do have to enter in my weight and age, so its probably more accurate that i maybe think

Well, I too "feel" like I'm burning more calories on a treadmill then the ellpitical, but after working out for awhile now, I get better results from the ellpitical, so in my mind, I feel like I am working less to get more, so that's why it's what I use.  But my treadmill doesn't have a heart rate monitor, you just enter your weight and it calculates calories based off of that, so I don't know.  My girlfriend is the opposite, the treadmill says she burns more then the ellpitical but she can barely get through an equal amount of time on the ellpitical at the lowest level of resistance.

But as too why the ellpitical might feel like its burning less for us could be because maybe you are just using more muscles to burn an equal amount of calories so each of them work less, I'm no expert so I could be completely wrong about that!  

Thanks for the replies, guys. ") I think I am just going to go out and purchase a heart monitor watch. Then where it on both elliptical and treadmill and see what it says. They tell you how many calories you burn.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good HR watch?

Yoliechula - any of the Polar HRM. I currently use the F6 and it is fantastic. I don't know how many times in the past I have mistakenly hit the STOP button on a treadmill, losing all my information of the workout. A HRM gives you this added bonus of keeping your information. Obviously depending on what you like to do, Polar has all kinds of HRM and even some with GPS and distance.

Good Luck!

Thank you! I'll look into that Polar HRM. Where did you buy yours?

Thank

Original Post by ready2rocknroll:

I've noticed that too....I've also heard it reported that gym exercise equipment calorie monitors can vary in accuracy, with most telling us that we've burned more than we did.

I think we have to trust our bodies and if one machine makes us sweat and feels harder than another, it probably is...It could be that we just need to up the resistance/difficulty on the elliptical to make it more equivalent.

Thanks for the response.

My concern about trusting my body and the amount I sweat to tell me if I'm working hard enough is this: Maybe the treadmill's building muscle, too, that's why it's harder. Like lifting weights. I sweat while lifting and while I understand that building muscle is a good thing, I don't actually burn all that much during weight lifting sessions b/c it's ANAEROBIC.

So, probably I do burn more on elliptical (even if I sweat less) b/c it's more aerobic than the treadmill is. Confusing, huh... haha.

")

I work the elliptical at the gym for 35-40 mins. I use it at 65% intensity which is level 13 (1-20 option), and I know I am getting a great workout one because of my heart rate, and 2 because I can feel the resistance, its hard work to push the pedals, I sweat sweat sweat, and feel great after.

My legs have builty muscle with the elliptical, and feel much firmer..I agree that if you go and use the elliptical and set no resistance or low resistance you are basically wasting your time.. but up the level and you will feel the burn.. I feel much more worked after 35 mins of intense workout on the elliptical rather then 35 mins 5.0 jog...

I agree with akkemebay about the elliptical building muscle in my legs. I know, cardio doesnt build muscle and that only weight training can. But I swear, since I have been working out on the ellipitcal my calves in particular are alot firmer! 

Yes, ladies. The elliptical will tone the muscles on your legs and upping the resistance will increase calorie burn. On weight loss setting ( the one I use) there's plenty of resistance. I was just curious about whether all things being equal, if elliptical burns more calories than treadmill based on type of exercise.

I think it does, even if it is low impact and seemingly easier.

Thank

I don't believer there is an answer to "which burns more, elliptical or treadmill".  It will vary by person, depending on which machine the individual maintains a higher heart rate for a longer period of time.  And that can change over time, as one's fitness level changes, and as his or her body becomes more efficient on each particular machine.  Personally, I can easily achieve and maintain a much higher heart rate running than on the elliptical.  Although, I would also note that I run on a track or outdoors, not on the treadmill.  And that does make a big difference, too.  Treadmill does not give you as good a workout as the floor or ground. 

I sometimes to the eliptical for 45 mins, level 7 but resistence of 12 and I got a killer work out it seemed like. I burned up to 400 cal and I felt like I worked really hard. I did notice more changes in my body instead of just using the tredmill and a little bit on the eliptical. However, after using the eliptical I'd run a mile or half mile -- this was when I was traing for soccer. Now I run a couple of miles and focus more on strengthening and weights to tone more, I feel like it's working better for me and I'm doing less cardio.

the elliptical is COMPLETE CRAP.  I have a bit of a bias because i'm a runner...but i used to be 138 pounds 5'4 using an elliptical for 1 hour 5 days a week and i saw little to no results...i am now running on the treadmill for the same caloric burn and i am down to 110 pounds.  elliptical trainers are ok for raising your heart rate and slight toning, but they aren't the most effective for weight loss ....with ellipticals you get some degree of momentum going, and so you don't have to work too hard to keep up the pace.  treadmills provide kick so you don't get the momentum of the elliptical making in harder to keep pace....more of a workout