This can't be right(regarding eliptical vs treadmill)

[xyrrus]

So for the first time ever, I used the elliptical 2 weeks ago to alter my cardio routine(used to run the treadmill almost daily). My first time up, I was only on for 15 mins to try the thing out, it hardly felt like a workout and according to the readouts was buring about 100 calories/11 mins. Since then I've only been on an additional 4-6 times. The first few times I was on for 30 mins on a cross-training preset and by the end of the workout burn about 325ish cals and barely breaking a sweat. So Monday I got on for 45 mins on cross-training and increased the resistance a bit and throughout the entire workout monitored my energy levels, heart rate, breathing, cals burned, etc. By the end of the 45 min workout, I've burned 500 calories with an avg heart rate of 130. This didn't look right so on Tuesday I went to a different machine and did 45 mins on a manual difficulty setting for 45 mins, monitored everything and ended up burning 550 cals with avg bpm of 134 and still coming out of the workout feeling like I could do it for another 45, in fact I got on the treadmill to do a 10 min run just so I would feel something.

Now compared to my avg treadmill run @ 6mph, my heartrate would shoot up to the 160s and burns about 100 cals/10 mins. About 15 mins in, I'd begin to sweat and breathing heavily thru my mouth and would be mildly tired by the end of the run.

Are you telling me the elliptical is that much more efficient than treadmills? This doesn't make any sense, what gives?


edit:

oh and if this helps any, I also began doing full body workouts as of last week to coincide with my new cardio routine. Today will have been my 3rd full body workout so I should also mention that my body has also been more tired and weak than ever before while on the elliptical... not that the computers in the machine would know or be able to take that into account while calculating cals burned.

 

[Cynic]

There's a lot of momentum propelling an elliptical.

Set the resistance to 60% or higher.

 

[xyrrus]

I'm just primarily wondering what's the deal with the huge discrepancy between the two workouts.

 

[Cynic]

Everyone I know says that those calorie expenditure readings are always way off.

I think the reason is feels harder on a treadmill is you're still coming down with impact on a treadmill, which could produce anywhere from 2x-10x more force than you experience on an elliptical, but the calves are taking the brunt and they're accustomed to taking it (when walking, running, etc).

 

[theleip]

I have not seen any studies done on this, though I am sure there have been. I have two girls I train at the same time. One goes on the elliptical, the other on the treadmill. Girl on the treadmill is pounding away and sweating bullets, girl on the elliptical is striding along and lightly glistened. There heart rates...exactly the same and most times the elliptical is higher. Now when warming up and doing the same activities their heart rates are pretty similar, they are both in pretty much the same cardiovascular shape.

I think what cynic said is right on. If you think about the strain on the body, even the internal organs of that bouncing and impact, it is going to cause more stress and strain, but not necessarily affect your oxygen intake and heart rate levels. Sweating and sheer exhaustion are not always the sign of a good cardio workout. Granted they usually go hand in hand, but if your heart rate levels and oxygen intake is higher then you are doing what is needed to produce results point blank, regardless of how straining to the body it is. Also I take their heart rates myself, not just by the machines results so there is no room for machine calculated errors at least in my experiance with it.

 

[2hott4u]

I run in good weather and hop on the elliptical in inclement weather and in winter. When I run, which is usually 4+ miles, I rarely sweat and my heart rate goes way up when I go up this huge hill, then it calms down a bit once I get back on level ground. I generally feel that I can run forever once I get past that hill (which is about a half mile into my run). However, when I get on the elliptical, I start to sweat and my heart rate increases within the first 2-3 minutes. By the time I'm done, I'm literally dripping. I'm not sure why it would be the opposite for u.

 

[Robb]

I always wondered this myself as I am effected the same way as the original poster here. Im covered in sweat about 20mins into anything that gets my heart rate up, running or eliptical, but I can go alot longer on the eliptical, and (according to the machine) burn alot more calories with what feels like less effort. I always just attributed that its more of a resistance on the eliptical, as apposed to the impact you get running. Its the same with biking.

 

[Z1P2]

I think Cynic was right on about the calorie calculators being way off. More than likely though, it's the treadmill's calorie calculators that are off. The eliptical machine's calculator is calculating both what you burn in your arms, as well as your legs; meanwhile the treadmill is most likely only accounting for the calories being burned in your legs (since if you're walking, you don't necessarily have to swing your arms).

 

[2hott4u]

I always wondered this myself as I am effected the same way as the original poster here. Im covered in sweat about 20mins into anything that gets my heart rate up, running or eliptical, but I can go alot longer on the eliptical...QUOTE]

Hmmm...now see for me, it's different. I feel like I can go longer when I run, than when I do the machine. A lot of the time, I have a hard time just getting through my 30 mins on the machine and when I run, I'm out for about 45 mins and feel like I could go longer.

 

[xyrrus]

I think Cynic was right on about the calorie calculators being way off. More than likely though, it's the treadmill's calorie calculators that are off. The eliptical machine's calculator is calculating both what you burn in your arms, as well as your legs; meanwhile the treadmill is most likely only accounting for the calories being burned in your legs (since if you're walking, you don't necessarily have to swing your arms).

The calculators can't all be off, all the treadmills generally register the same calories burned so nothing is wrong with them. I also use the ellipticals without the moving arms so it's just leg work. There are like over 20 treadmills there from 2 brands/models and about 10 ellipticals form 3 different brands/models and they all generally register the same calculations in respect to it's specific exercise.

 

[Hoss]

I agree with cynic, once again. If you know motors, think of it this way: A normal crankshaft equipped motor versus a rotary motor. The crankshaft engine has got to generate force (muscle contraction), push the piston (leg), stop it (stepping), and then lift and repeat. A lot of energy is wasted pounding on the floor stopping your motion and then accelerating again.

While in a rotary (elliptical) you're only accelerating when you begin. Other than that you're just staying at a constant rotational speed.

 

[momof3]

i agree with everyone...the eliptical doesnt seem like quite the workout, thus i icrase my resstance until i can barely move the blessed thing and then do my workout..i sweat and it great...but its so much easier then running..that said..i feel so much better after running then after the eliptical...i dont think either are accurate measures of calories expended...dont go b the calorie go by the amount of time you ued the machine...and if it too eay crank up teh resistance or go faster. i sweat just by thinking of cardio exercise so thats easy for me to say. the elitpical is a good alternative to the jarring of running...just dont be one of hose women who get on it with a full face of makeup and dont even break a sweat...that seems like a waste of time to me last thought...if you are in good physical condition, the eliptical problem is going to be easier for you and like any exercise the more you do it and more efficient you become at it, the fewer calories/less benefit you recieve....so its good to change things up.

good luck to you!

 

[Z1P2]

The calculators can't all be off, all the treadmills generally register the same calories burned so nothing is wrong with them. I also use the ellipticals without the moving arms so it's just leg work. There are like over 20 treadmills there from 2 brands/models and about 10 ellipticals form 3 different brands/models and they all generally register the same calculations in respect to it's specific exercise.

That's exactly what I was saying though... they are BUILT that way because treadmill makers are not taking into account arm motion, OR, they may also be using the same calculation wether you are walking or running... either way, I think it's simply a difference in the way they are calculated.