Random exercise question

kate51485

I have noticed that when I run on the treadmill, I burn significantly less calories (well, according to the machine anyway) than when I do the elliptical for the same amount of time, say 30 minutes.

Is running still effective, even if it supposedly burns less calories?  I still feel the burn of a good workout when I do either one, and definitely work up a good sweat, so what gives?

Enlighten me.

shellydiane820

I wouldn't worry about it.  The calorie counters on those machines aren't accurate anyway.  Even if you put in your age and weight, I read somewhere it is based on a physical fit male body.

As long as you feel the workout, I'd say you're good.

danieliza1127

The elliptical machine burns more calories, or always did for me when I used to work out. I don't know why, but yeah.

ZRex

Maybe part of it is that on the elliptical you can change the incline so you're burning more calories by running at a higher incline than you are on the treadmill.  When I do the elliptical, I tend to get more aggressive with the incline than I do on the treadmill...just a thought.

FutureMrsTR

I don't trust the calorie counters on those machines.  I definitely get more of a cardio workout on the treadmill, but the elliptical is probably working your muscles more.  As long as you're working up that sweat and getting out of breath I'd say you're getting a good workout.

fangsiting

Don't trust those counters.  Elliptical machines always say I burn like a million calories an hour, but if I check an online calorie burn calculator, it is significantly lesst.  Like last night, the machine said I burned over 400 calories in 30 minutes (I even put in my weight), but It was probably more like 250.  I burn more calories running. 

Stackeye210

I don't trust the calorie counters.....but I have noticed if I run on just a slight incline it "says" I'm buring way more calories.  I just mix it up though, eliptical one day, long distance running another, and then sprints/walks on incline on another day. 

kate51485

I've never been sure how reliable the counters were, I've always wondered how it "knows" how many calories I'm burning.  Thanks for the input, gals!

Nebb

A HRM with a strap is going to be the most accurate way to determine how many calories you burned, the machine or online estimates arent that accurate.

whitneykaye87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_random-exercise-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:395f9b6f-63f6-4de0-9093-97c6bef409dcPost:beb66946-63b7-40ed-b6a7-cfc4eea0e08a">Re: Random exercise question</a>:
[QUOTE]A HRM with a strap is going to be the most accurate way to determine how many calories you burned, the machine or online estimates arent that accurate.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

Yes!  If you calibrate them properly, they are quite accurate.  I love my polar HR monitor!

Nebb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_random-exercise-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:395f9b6f-63f6-4de0-9093-97c6bef409dcPost:6a405fdd-e60d-410e-9e2a-34885e88b2d4">Re: Random exercise question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Random exercise question : Yes!  If you calibrate them properly, they are quite accurate.  I love my polar HR monitor!
Posted by whitneykaye87[/QUOTE]
Same, I have a polar F6 and I love it. I know quite a few people who have them and swear by them.

TheSaltyPeanut

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_random-exercise-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:395f9b6f-63f6-4de0-9093-97c6bef409dcPost:0e52e268-8ab4-4f52-8da6-12cf7180401e">Re: Random exercise question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Random exercise question : Same, I have a polar F6 and I love it. I know quite a few people who have them and swear by them.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

I'll jump on this... I love my polar F6!

That would be a good test though:  I'll do 45 minutes of "normal" (what I would normally do) on the elliptical and the next night I'll do 45 minutes of "normal" on the treadmill.  I'll let you know what the difference is (with my HRM, obviously). 

I've always wondered this myself too.