cardio question...

I am trying to burn belly fat and I know that no exercise will target a specific area but to burn more fat and quicker what is more recommended, the treadmill or the ellyptical?
 
I am trying to burn belly fat and I know that no exercise will target a specific area but to burn more fat and quicker what is more recommended, the treadmill or the ellyptical?

I don't think it matters what ever you choose just push yourself and youll burn that fat.. i always go with the elliptical so me knees wont get sore.. "bad knee" my shins also hurt on a treadmill
 
They are both equally...meh. either will work for not much better than no exercise results.
 
I don't think it matters what ever you choose just push yourself and youll burn that fat.. i always go with the elliptical so me knees wont get sore.. "bad knee" my shins also hurt on a treadmill

sorta false. the more intense the exercise the better. cardio is not intense, as it doesn't use the higher energy systems. But you can easily do sprinting to move your body into using those energy systems. just most people don't cause it's too hard, which is too bad.

you're right on the "push yourself" remark. Which is key, always try and be doing more in some fashion every time you work out.
 
The more intensive the exercise is right. You need to get your heart rate up an keep it up, normal side effects to watch out for are heavy sweating, having to breathe fast/being out of breath and having to stop after about 20 mins as you need to take a few mins out.

But work your way up to intensive exercise, cardio can be done in many ways, interval training could be useful to try to increase your indurance. 2 mins working hard, 1 min off to catch your breath (still moving but not as hard). Repeat as much as you can for 20-30 mins then move onto something else.

Building muscle will also help you. Its basiclyu because your buidling more body mass and body mass requires energy to keep it going. BUT! Muscle gram for gram requires more energy then fat does so it takes up less space but requires more calories at rest meaning you drop a dress size but maintain the same weight. You can build muscle by using weights or training cardio under resistance, say running up hill, cycling with the resistance up, higher levels in the elliptical machine yet maintaining the same speed as you would at a lower intensity (its no good going slow on a high intensity it just wont do anything or any real value and your missing out on a huge opportunity by not keeping up the speed.)
 
Thanx so much to every1... you were all very helpful.
I just joined the gym less than 2 weeks ago and have been going atleast every other day to every 2 days. but I will eventually work my way up to at least 5 days a week.
I just don't wanna do too much too fast and hurt myself LoL.
 
Thanx so much to every1... you were all very helpful.
I just joined the gym less than 2 weeks ago and have been going atleast every other day to every 2 days. but I will eventually work my way up to at least 5 days a week.
I just don't wanna do too much too fast and hurt myself LoL.

Think you'll be fine- your more likely to burn out then hurt yourself as your body will send enough warnings. It tends to be ongoing repetative exercise that has been going on for some time (months and months trying to work through pain or years without due care and attention with poor form). If you burn out your body will just stop you from feeling able to move very fast, you'll feel very tierd. A day off or two and you'll be back feeling ready to start again, no big issue.

If your worried about getting a workout programme ready, speak to a gym floor instructor- its what you pay your fees for! They will set you up with something and it can help to have something realistic to work to which can keep you motivated.
 
I don't know that one is better than the other in terms of burning belly fat, but I feel like the elliptical is better in general because it's not as hard on your knees.

If you find the cure for belly fat, give me a shout!
 
sorta false. the more intense the exercise the better. cardio is not intense, as it doesn't use the higher energy systems. But you can easily do sprinting to move your body into using those energy systems. just most people don't cause it's too hard, which is too bad.

you're right on the "push yourself" remark. Which is key, always try and be doing more in some fashion every time you work out.

whats false about my statement
 
whats false about my statement

When you said it doesn't matter what you choose. This is false as the effectiveness of exercise can vary greatly depending on a large variety of factors.

For example, in terms of burning fat assuming you know advanced lifting techniques, doing barbell squats is always better than doing machine leg press. Lifting heavy weights is always better than doing cardio. Things like that.
 
When you said it doesn't matter what you choose. This is false as the effectiveness of exercise can vary greatly depending on a large variety of factors.

For example, in terms of burning fat assuming you know advanced lifting techniques, doing barbell squats is always better than doing machine leg press. Lifting heavy weights is always better than doing cardio. Things like that.

i understand that but the op was talking about 2 specific machines in witch case i gave the op an answer..
 
I am trying to burn belly fat and I know that no exercise will target a specific area but to burn more fat and quicker what is more recommended, the treadmill or the ellyptical?


Between these two machines if you are trying to stick with just one I would recommend the eliptical for a more comprehensive workout. With the eliptical you are not only exerting force with your legs to simulate the forward movement, but you are also exerting force with your arm; whereas on the treadmill although your arms may me pumping back and forth while running there is no resistance for them like with the eliptical. An added benefit of the eliptical machine over a treadmill is that it provides a low impact exercise meaning less stress for your knees.

Just some further food for though, the benefit of the treadmill over the eliptical is that you can run in a more natural form to what you may be used to as opposed to the eliptical in which the movements are on a set track, so there is not the same freedom of movement. If you plan to do a lot of running outside in the near future you will be better conditioned for it from running on a treadmill versus the eliptical.
 
Dont be afraid of the cycle as well.

I have lost a ton of weight and the stationary bike was/is my primary cardio tool.

As everyone says above... What ever you pick... Give it 110%, be dripping in sweat when you are done. If you could be talking on the phone or to the person next you... chances are you have more to give to the equipment. You dont need to do hours of cardio. I do 20 minutes warm up bike, then 3 sets of exercises, 8 minutes of bike (hi intensity/low intensity) 3 more sets of exercises, another 8 minutes and then sit ups.

8 mins doesnt sound like much but try mixing your cardio with weight training and see how exausted those 8 mins make you.
 
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