Question: Elliptical vs. Cycle

[TerriDoodle 6]

The cardio that I do the most is the Elliptical Cross-Trainer (the one where you work your arms as well as legs) and the stationary cycle. My question has to do with the 'calculator' on each of these machines. If I do 20 mins on the X-trainer I'm sweating pretty good and it says I've burned about 200 calories. Then I move over to the cycle and do another 20 minutes. I sweat my TAIL off on that thing...it's dripping off me like crazy...and the machine says I'm burning about 100 calories. I don't get it. Isn't sweat a measure of how hard you are working? I keep my HR about the same for both but the cycle sure feels like I'm working HARD but burning 1/2 the calories as the elliptical?? Something just doesn't seem right. Any ideas?

[losingjusme 12]

hi Terri,

i never trust those calculators. before my HR monitor, it said i was burning x cals on the treadmill. however, my HRM said i was burning X times two sometimes two and half more than the treadmill calc.

[hoosierpoms 0]

losing jusme

I noticed your weight is really coming off for you..Great JOB!!!!!

Traci

[TerriDoodle 6]

What kind of HRM do you use? You mean your body bugg or something else? Not sure I want to shell out the dough for a body bugg just yet.

[losingjusme 12]

Terry

I used to use a Polar F11 (??? not sure of the exact model) but i loved it.

only reason i stopped using it was it interfered w/ the body bugg.

Thanks HP - i've been stalled (my own fault) for a bit, but want to get back on track ...

have a great day!

[OH Juli 15]

Terry

Body Bugg is a super FANCY tool that does all kinds of things, plus heart rate monitoring.

You can get a decent HRM for around $50. Look at the machines at your gym, if they say "Polar" equipped that means they are able to read your monitor. You wear the monitor around your chest and typically have a receiver type wrist watch thingy. But with the machines they can receive your signal...

That was awkwardly put...

But also, a cross trainer is going to work you harder than a bike. More muscles, bigger movements, I think...I'm no expert.

[TerriDoodle 6]

But also, a cross trainer is going to work you harder than a bike. More muscles, bigger movements, I think...I'm no expert.

My heart rate is the measure of my effort....not the size of my muscles, right? And my heart rate is the same on each machine. It's the amount of SWEAT that seems to increase with the cycle!

I think losingjusme is right....I think it's the machine that isn't measuring my HR correctly or something!

No matter. It's all good as long as I'm sweating and can still talk!

[losingjusme 12]

Terry

Body Bugg is a super FANCY tool that does all kinds of things, plus heart rate monitoring.

body bugg does not do heart rate monitoring. wish it did!!

[losingjusme 12]

No matter. It's all good as long as I'm sweating and can still talk!

sometimes taking is highly over rated ...

[angelnurse 1]

The cardio that I do the most is the Elliptical Cross-Trainer (the one where you work your arms as well as legs) and the stationary cycle. My question has to do with the 'calculator' on each of these machines. If I do 20 mins on the X-trainer I'm sweating pretty good and it says I've burned about 200 calories. Then I move over to the cycle and do another 20 minutes. I sweat my TAIL off on that thing...it's dripping off me like crazy...and the machine says I'm burning about 100 calories. I don't get it. Isn't sweat a measure of how hard you are working? I keep my HR about the same for both but the cycle sure feels like I'm working HARD but burning 1/2 the calories as the elliptical?? Something just doesn't seem right. Any ideas?

The reason that you burn more calories on the eliptical is that you are moving your whole body mass, while cycling you are only using your legs. I find that I almost double the amount of calories I burn if I use the eliptical. It's certainly my cardio of choice.