Is alternating your type of cardio work out good?

[#91]

Here's the deal. For the past, almost four weeks now, I've been running on the treadmill starting at 20 minutes to now 30-35 minutes. I have changed my routine based on the advice of those here to where I am running at a steady pace for most of the 30 minutes as opposed to before I would run hard then stop, for periods of minutes. Today since I was unable to run on the treadmill (it was blocked behind a bed set up for guests over the house this weekend), I decided to try out the elliptical for 20 minutes at a fairly high "level". According to their monitors I burned as many calories in 20 minutes of the elliptical as I do in 30 minutes of running. Another difference is I felt the muscles in my arms and thighs tense real good like I was putting them to good use. Usually while running I only feel it in my calves. The more important thing to me atleast is the time went by fast as I was easily concentrated on the TV, when I run, I am more focused on the timer and it is extremely boring.

I would like to switch up every once in a while. I have read here that it depends on preference as most cardio have the same results. I think it's obvious after that paragraph I like the elliptical and plan on using it more but I would like to continue running as well. Is there a problem with this? I can't really think of anything that may be concerning but that's why I'm asking!

thanks in advance

[don_1987]

Yes

[tennisball]

Do NOT trust those calorie expenditure counters on machines. You will burn more calories running than on an elliptical. Your HR and VO2 max will be higher when you are running (meaning you are burning more calories).

Switching up cardio, however, is a great idea.

Originally Posted by Manny

Here's the deal. For the past, almost four weeks now, I've been running on the treadmill starting at 20 minutes to now 30-35 minutes. I have changed my routine based on the advice of those here to where I am running at a steady pace for most of the 30 minutes as opposed to before I would run hard then stop, for periods of minutes. Today since I was unable to run on the treadmill (it was blocked behind a bed set up for guests over the house this weekend), I decided to try out the elliptical for 20 minutes at a fairly high "level". According to their monitors I burned as many calories in 20 minutes of the elliptical as I do in 30 minutes of running. Another difference is I felt the muscles in my arms and thighs tense real good like I was putting them to good use. Usually while running I only feel it in my calves. The more important thing to me atleast is the time went by fast as I was easily concentrated on the TV, when I run, I am more focused on the timer and it is extremely boring.

I would like to switch up every once in a while. I have read here that it depends on preference as most cardio have the same results. I think it's obvious after that paragraph I like the elliptical and plan on using it more but I would like to continue running as well. Is there a problem with this? I can't really think of anything that may be concerning but that's why I'm asking!

thanks in advance

[Boxer-in-training]

I am a huge fan of cross training. Variety is the Spice of Life. Keeps your body guessing. I will have to agree with running being one of the better ones!

[glenn_001]

I rarely do cardio and if i do its just to get really ripped.
I do find the elliptical more effective though as both legs and arms are involved, not to mention safer ( ive seen some good stacks on treadmill)
Personally i prefer to go riding on my bike if i feel the urge for cardio, as cardio at gym bores me to tears.

[Soloistica]

If you feel you are getting more of a workout on the elliptical then you may want to use it as much or more than the treadmill.

On the elliptical me and my wife use (Octane Q35e) it can go up to resistance level 20 and its pretty intense. You really need to use your arms and push-pull to keep up with the pace of 60 RPM's towards the top of the interval.

Their are many ways to target different muscles on these ellipticals. For instance, if you bend your knees you can work your quadriceps more or stand on toes more for calves. You can pedal backwards. On a 30 minute heart rate interval training workout I usually burn 480 to 555 calories and my heart rate goes up to around 92% of maximum then it drops to 70% then repeats. The resistance level automatically adjusts to get you to whatever upper and lower heartrate you program into the console.

Their are 10 programs on this elliptical and I find myself watching the console for much of the time. It shows time exercising, time in proper training zone, distance, speed (rpm) , calories burned, calories per hour at current heart rate, resistance level, heart rate, heart rate % of maximum, and target heart rate - plenty to look at.

We don't get very bored at all but I usually turn on a movie or some music since my computer is directly in front of the elliptical in our bedroom.

I have a few pictures of me and the beast at my journal page here http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/s...ad.php?t=14301

[LarryNC]

You don't have to switch cardio, the best cardio to do is the kind of cardio you'll do, so if you even feel uncomfertablee alternating, you can go back to your normal cardio, it won't hurt your progress, if all it will help because, doing cardio > not.