Best Cardio Machine?

[Legion Kreinak]

Alright, I was curious what you guys think the best Cardio machine is: Elliptical, Exercise Bicycle, Treadmill and why. I figure Elliptical, because it gets you moving both your upper and lower body. I'm just looking for the best way to burn calroies quickly, but being able to do it for a long duration.

 

[Cobin]

I burn more calories on the eliptical and find it easier to stay in my target heart rate but on the days I don't goto the gym I use a treadmill at home.

 

[wildonsquats]

As long as your heartrate is in the target range, almost any cardio machine will do. However, lower impact motions like elliptical trainers may be the way to go if you have knee problems, instead of using the treadmill. Personally I find it hard to hit the stairmaster or elliptical machine the day after a hard leg workout, I find running on the treadmill easier.

 

[MattyA]

The treadmill is the best cardio machine hands down in terms of burning total calories and fat, but if your knees are bothering you the elliptical is the way to go. You do move your upper and lower body when you run...don't you?? They did a report on the news examining the various pieces of cardio equipment and they concluded that the treadmill was the most effective. The elliptical acutally exaggerates the amount of calories you burn and is not an accurate readout. Almost any cardio workout is effective if you do it at an intense pace where it is hard to keep a conversation going. Whatever you do. Don't hold on to the rails. That will decrease the intensity and you could injure yourself. The stairmaster is jarring and can hurt your knees if you are not careful too.

 

[Ffactor]

If sweat is a function of intensity, then by far I would pick the elliptical machine because by 10 minutes I start to sweat like a pig. I usually do 20 minutes on the elliptical and then run a mile on the treadmill.

 

[Greek Freak]

I like the elliptial best- easy on your body, the one at my gym has a heart rate monitor, the motion isnt as boring as biking, and you can burn a lot of cals on it.

 

[circusgirl]

BTW, the pace suggested by Runners World for an aerobic workout is hard enough so that you ALMOST find it hard to carry on a conversation, but not to the point where you actually do - there you are going into anaerobic training. They recommend (for runners) not going anaerobic more than once every few days as quite a bit of recovery is needed, eg HIIT. THis advice is aimed at increasing mileage and speed on the mile though, and not lifters.

It depends on what you are looking for - but I believe numerous folks on here warn of running really hard for an hour at a time due to the catabolic effect this has. Someone more knowledgeable on combining weights with cardio either refute or back this up please.

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Hm, I'm stuck between the Elliptical and Bike... the elliptical doesn't have an accurate readout? Hm... I don't like that, but regardless of the readout it sounds like more of a workout.

The catabolic effect won't be too great so long as I workout at low intensities, right? Because I wanna do like 1 hr 30 min of biking a day at a steady pace of like, 12 MPH (easy able to hold on a conversation there).

 

[erickthegreat11]

Simple advise, go with the one you like to do best. You wont stick with the cardio very long if you don't like it. As far as indoors, I like the treadmill. Outdoors I, like biking.
You are into boxing, right? I hear a boxing match is extremely tiring. I would suggest jogging/running for that sport.

 

[HANSEL]

"TreadWall"
Its a rock climbing wall that revolves like a treadmill, best full body Cardio/stretching/strength routine I ever do the gym.

Has anyone else ever tried one of these?