Elliptical machine vs. running

LisaG

LisaG

Cathlete
I've been lurking around this forum for a while and just wanted to say how much I like it...what a supportive and encouraging crowd!

Anyway, my question for Cathe or anyone who might know is...Can you obtain similar fat-burning results from using an elliptical machine instead of running? I know several of you use running/jogging as one of your cross-training activities with good results...I go through at least one 2-3 week period each year where I try to gradually acclimate to running so I can use it in my fitness program, but each time my body just seems to reject it - it may be the jarring on my joints or maybe I have incorrect form - I'm not sure - but, it simply doesn't feel enjoyable at all! (By the way, I know it's not my cardiovascular capacity that's lacking since I can keep up with all of Cathe's vids).

I have my own Precor elliptical machine now and also enjoy walking it's just the running that feels uncomfortable...so hopefully one of these can give me the same results as running.

Any suggestions, ideas, comments would be welcome.
Thanks!
 
Elliptical vs Running

While the Elliptical can be used as an effective fat-burning tool. It does not equal the energy expenditure of Running. In a recent ACE Newsletter they equated the Elliptical to the StairMaster for Calorie burning.

Also, I personally believe Running is the most effective Cardio Calorie-burning vehicle out there. I use the Elliptical for my Low Impact days and as an effective Cross-training tool with my Stepping and Running.
 
elliptical vs running

I have an elliptical trainer as well... I would tend to agree that while it isn't as an effective at fat burning as running, I think you use a wider variety of muscles than running or the stair climber. Also,I have noticed that stair climbers tend to bulk up my legs too much, while the elliptical doesn't. Plus, the fact that it is SO much easier on your joints, than running. I'm with you, I am just not built for running. The important thing is, that you are doing some form of cardio, which is the most important thing altogether!
Lynn
 
Thanks for the input

Paula and Lynn,

Thanks for your replies to this question...I do enjoy the elliptical trainer and it does really "kick me in the butt" so to speak especially when I have it on the highest resistance and/or highest incline level...so I will continue to use it as one of my cross-training activities...

Of course, since fat-burning is one of my primary goals, I may give jogging/running another try...my husband thinks he's ready to start a jogging program and has asked if I'd like to accompany him when he attempts this. Maybe if we have each other for company and moral support we can make a better effort!

If this isn't successful, I will always have my Precor waiting in the living room for me!
 
Comment and question

I recently read a study about ellipticals and one of the nice benefits of them is that participants seem to underappreciate the cardiovascular benefits of their workout. What this means is that they don't perceive that they are working as hard as they really are! I like that! I agree with you guys too, that it is a great machine for those of us with knees that just can't run very much.
happy.gif


I would love to own one, but the Precors that I have priced out are a little more than I am willing to part with. Do you know a place where one may procure them at a discount, or used? Many thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Colia
 
Ellipticals

I used an elliptical at a gym when I was on vacation last year and loved it. What you said about not feeling that you are working as hard as you are is really true. One day, at the gym, I was on the elliptical for about 30 minutes and one of the men there said he felt tired just watching me. I was kind of confused, because it didn't feel like I had worked out that intensely and then I realized that I was DRENCHED in sweat. I could have entered a wet t-shirt contest at that point. I would love to find a good quality, inexpensive one also - they are great!
Erica
 
sweat machines

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who is drenched with sweat when I get off the elliptical...they really do work you. But, they don't come cheap...I did some research before I bought mine and for me, I wanted the best for my dollar and that meant a Precor (the model I got is the EFX 5.21 si...I think that's right). The company I purchased from had a financing option so I'm making payments on it...almost paid off now - YEA!
You may want to look for cheaper deals on used models that local gyms are selling or at online auction sites.
I will say that for me it has been well worth the investment though because it is a great low impact option and even on days when my joints are hurting, this machine delivers a workout without any pain.
One note on this Precor model: IMO, it tends to overestimate calorie expenditure (even when I enter a weight lower than my actual weight)- last time, it said 703 calories burned in 45 minutes!
(that sounded like a little much to me).
 
I'll Go Along with the Sweating

This may sound odd, but I'm currently Running 8-12 miles at a time and when I come home I'm covered with Perspiration. However, when I am on the Elliptical I am drenched with Sweat.

I know that I'm burning more calories and exercising at a higher intensity when I Run, but something about that Elliptical covers me from head to toe in Sweat.

My Personal Trainer thinks it's hysterical that the Elliptical can drench me like that.
 
love the precor!

I use the precor in combination with running, biking, and blading. It's an excellent climbing workout, especially if you vary the resistance and the ramp angles and keep your hands off the rails, chest high. It's a glorified stair climber in my opinion. But the motion is smoother. I've never had a problem getting the heart rate up with one of these!
Trevor
 
perceived exertion and the elliptical

if you go to the precor website http://www.precor.com/ and surf either commerical or home products for the efx there is a link to efx aerobics research. it is a small study but lists some equivalents in terms of kilocalorie expenditure with other aerobic activities. they also suggest that " It is evident that the ratings of perceived exertion appear to underrate the actual physiological responses. " i've had a 5.21si for about 4 years now and i don't aggravate my itb with it. love that machine for cross training...

Susan Wells
 
LisaG said:
I've been lurking around this forum for a while and just wanted to say how much I like it...what a supportive and encouraging crowd!

Anyway, my question for Cathe or anyone who might know is...Can you obtain similar fat-burning results from using an elliptical machine instead of running? I know several of you use running/jogging as one of your cross-training activities with good results...I go through at least one 2-3 week period each year where I try to gradually acclimate to running so I can use it in my fitness program, but each time my body just seems to reject it - it may be the jarring on my joints or maybe I have incorrect form - I'm not sure - but, it simply doesn't feel enjoyable at all! (By the way, I know it's not my cardiovascular capacity that's lacking since I can keep up with all of Cathe's vids).

I have my own Precor elliptical machine now and also enjoy walking it's just the running that feels uncomfortable...so hopefully one of these can give me the same results as running.

Any suggestions, ideas, comments would be welcome.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Inside a classic study comparing energy expenditure of machines, the order of calories expended, from highest to lowest, is posted below. (The elliptical wasn't studied on this research, however it would fit between rowing and cross-country skiing. It ought to be noted that rowing, the elliptical, and cross-country skiing are very close in calorie expenditure, with most likely not a lot more than 100-125 calories each hour difference included in this.)

* treadmill walking/running
* stair stepping
* rowing
* cross-country skiing (i.e. more elliptical workout program here)
* biking (stationary)

Now, this isn't to express that exercises that burn the fewest calories are bad. Towards the contrary, you can get a great workout, and burn plenty of calories, doing some of them.
 
Hamstrings?

Hello.....

What is the minimum angle of incline people would suggest to engage hamstrings more than the quads? Most of my cardio emphasizes quads and I have weaker hamstrings, and am trying to change that.

Thanks!
 
I'd guess around 6 or 7 percent incline is where you will start to feel the hamstrings more, although for me, it doesn't really kick in until I'm up at 11% at minimum. This is walking incline, not running incline. But the quads are still right there along with all the other leg muscles. It's impossible to shut them off! You might try different foot positions on the decline and leg press as these can help you target hamstrings more also, and let's not forget the hamstring machine! Supine version hits hamstrings best.
The exercises which bets hit the hamstrings for me are stability ball roll-ins while lying on the floor, one leg up in the air, the other leg rolling the ball in and out.

Clare
 
Hi ! I love my elliptical but for me nothing beats...or really even compares to running... and I'm not a hard core "runner" despite having completed 7 or 8 half marathons. I learned early on in running that any biomechanical shortcoming your body has is virtually assured to manifest once you embark on a running program. All kinds of aches and pains show up until you learn to pace - at a pace that's realistic for your body and fitness level. I'm now a HUGE advocate of interval training for running - at whatever that means for a given fitness level. (walk/jog, jog/run, combo, etc.)

I'm a classic overdoer... and recognize that like me, most of us, when we attempt to become runners, overdo it... we go too fast, too far, too soon. Over a decade of "learning" to run I know now that I can do one thing at a time - increase my mileage - increase my strength - or increase my speed - and my exercise interests now go in cycles - for me: fall is more running intensive, winter more weight lifting, spring a balance of the two and summer either a balance or more circuit based (this is all in a perfect world mind you :cool: )

At any rate, elliptical is a great option for cardio... but I had to put my plug in for running :p as in my experience nothing beats it for fat loss and cross training with weights imho and so many discount it due to injuries early on that could be prevented (I know firsthand :eek: )

HTH :p
 
Well today I did the elliptical at 19 degree incline (where I saw the hamstring group light up on the little running man, very cute!) at level 6-9. Interstingly enough, my daughter said the hamstrings also light up at around 6-7 degrees, although I didn't notice, which is exactly the number Clare gave, (and thanks for the info, too, Clare!), and then go back to mainly the quads until 19 degrees. I felt it in my left hmastring, although not my right, which I suppose is a good sign because I'm trying to correct a tracking problem which is worse in my left knee. I guess I've found a new gym toy!

Not sure my achilles tendons are entirely happy with that incline, though. :( I guess I'll just have to limit my sessions on it until I stretch those a bit.

I hadn't seen the ellipticals with the crossramps in the gym at first (just joined in November) and started on the 'regular' ellipticals going backwards. I hopped on that after the one with the crossramp, and that became a very different and interesting feeling.

I totally respect what you said about running, chammer, but I am full of biocmechanical weaknesses, have a body just not made for running. I'm sure if I ran that would kick my butt the mostest, but I don't and won't, so I can live with the stepmill kicking my butt the mostest out of cardio equipment. I'm just not sure I believe the ellipticals calorie expenditure display; for a similar calore expenditure I sweat so much more and get so much more flushed on the stepmill.
 
When I first purchased my elliptical, I did a little experiment where I used it in place of running all winter. Like many others here said, I sweat buckets during both steady-state and interval WOs and torched lots of calories, but when I returned to outdoor running, I had very clearly lost some progress. I had always read in books and running magazines that the only thing that will make you a better, faster, more efficient runner is running, and my experiment proved this to be true for me. So while the elliptical is a great machine for fat-burning and cardio fitness and is certainly far kinder to our joints, it cannot truly substitute for running. BUT that really only matters if you want to run.
 
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