What type of cardio?

I'm a recovering anorexic, who has just been told that I am now at healthy enough weight to resume some cardio exercise, twice a week. I was wondering - what would be better? 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer at the gym, or attending a hi/low cardio class for about 45 minutes? The cardio class includes warm up, cool down, and abs as well.

When I used to work out before starting recovery, i never really used the cardio machines at the gym, just went to classes. So i'm not sure how much cardio benefit you can get from the elliptical...especially since I'd have to keep it light. Having said that, it doesn't seem like cardio classes are so intense that they burn that many cals anyway...

I agree with trhawley - try each, pick a method that you enjoy, and regulate your own intensity. Any good class (as long as it's not a power class for people who want really high intensity), like the hi/low you mentioned, will provide you options for decreasing or increasing the intensity as you wish. Pay attention to your heartrate by thinking about percieved exertion and listening to your breathing rate.

Congrats on your recovery, keep up the good work.