For anyone interesting in maintaining or gaining fitness, losing weight or simply improving cardiovascular health and endurance, equipment options include elliptical machines and bicycles. Ellipticals involve a motion very similar to that of bicycling, making a comparison of the two inevitable. Despite the similarities and differences between elliptical exercise and cycling, any moderate- to high-intensity exercise will improve fitness and burn calories.
Lower Body Muscles
According to Elliptical Trainer Online, an elliptical machine "focuses the primary amount of resistance to ... large muscles such as the hips (gluteus maximus) ... front of the thighs (quadriceps) and back of the thighs (hamstrings)." The calves and shin muscles are used for stabilization as well. A major difference between elliptical machines and bikes is that the elliptical uses only a pushing or stepping motion, but cycling with clips also involves pulling upward on the pedal. Cyclingmind, an Internet source for cyclists, suggests that the most efficient way to pedal is to "push down on the pedals and pull up, so that your feet are doing a circle." They further note that this uses all the leg muscles.
Upper Body Muscles
Typical road cycling does not work the upper body at all, with the exception of minor abdominal engagement. Ellipticals, on the other hand, have an advantage over bicycles in this regard, provided they're the type with moving handlebars. Says Elliptical Trainers: "As the feet go through their elliptical motion, the hands grip the moving handlebars, exercising the arms. The movement of the dual handlebars mimics cross-country skiing." This not only tones the upper body, it also increases the workout's efficiency and enhances the caloric burn rate.
Calories Burned
Health Status, an Internet site with information about exercise and fitness, indicates that for comparable intensity efforts, the elliptical trainer is somewhat more efficient at burning calories. A 150-pound person on an elliptical trainer for an hour burns about 773 calories. Cycling for an hour burns slightly fewer calories (720) at a moderate intensity of around 14 to 16 mph. Higher-intensity efforts at either exercise will result in an increased caloric burn.
Access
One consideration for many individuals is that ellipticals are typically gym equipment, but bicycles can be kept at home and used any time. Depending upon your habits and schedule, this might affect whether elliptical machines or bicycles are more convenient. Very early morning and late evening exercisers, who might be working out without daylight, will generally benefit from gym machinery that can be safely used any time of day or night. Those who aren't able to get to the gym, on the other hand, and who have the ability to exercise during daylight hours, might find it convenient to have a bicycle at home.
Impact and Injury
Both cycling and elliptical training are generally low-impact sports, free from the jarring of a high-impact sport like running. Because ellipticals require standing, however, they put slightly more stress on the skeletal system and joints than do bicycles. In some ways, this is actually good: The "L.A. Times" ran a story in early 2009 about cyclists' increased risk of osteoporosis, owing to the fact that they do not engage in regular, weight-bearing exercise. "Avid cyclists," according to author Jeannine Stein, "seem to be especially at risk of bone injury if they don't do any type of cross-training."
Member Comments