Group: General Diet & Nutrition

General Diet & Nutrition
Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 399, Messages: 16719

With such a topic so broad we truly try to cover the basics from all angles in this group. Nothing too big or too small. Nutrition is as significant if not more as exercise is to reaching your goals so learn all you can.

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Ellipical vs. treadmill-calories burned?

arunner
arunner
Posts: 4
Joined: 2002/06/12
United States
2005/02/17, 02:24 PM
Hello everyone. Hope I'm posting in the right place.

How come you burn more calories on 30 minutes of elliptical than 30 minutes on a treadmill? Can't figure that part out. Does it have to do with non-impact cardio vs. impact?
DX14AG
DX14AG
Posts: 1,055
Joined: 2004/07/22
United States
2005/02/17, 08:52 PM
I think that your body just works more overall on the elliptical than it does simply jogging or walking. The hand movement is much more on the elliptical than it is on the treadmill, and perhaps you use more leg effort in the elliptical then the treadmill. This might not be correct, but it's just a suggestion.

DX
princesslodgey
princesslodgey
Posts: 1,748
Joined: 2004/02/21
United Kingdom
2005/02/18, 04:12 AM
I find there is not much difference between calories burned on the treadmill and on the elliptical. I have found a greater variation between different elliptical machines than between the elliptical and treadmill at my local gym.

You have to remember that the figures for calories burned are only an estimate, and are even less accurate if you don´t enter your weight into the machine.

You use your upper body both in running and on the elliptical.

If there are no contraindications it is probably best to do a mixture of both (if your goals are for cardiovascular fitness or weight loss) - the high impact of the treadmill is better for maintaining bone density, but worse for your joints.
sivysivy
sivysivy
Posts: 391
Joined: 2005/02/11
United States
2005/04/11, 01:00 AM
Are you getting the info from the machines themselves, if so they are not accurate. Are you going faster on the elliptical machine than on the treadmill?