Cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise is the form that elevates your heart rate and causes you to break a sweat. Elliptical training and running are examples of cardiovascular exercise, both of which strengthen your heart and lungs. The type you choose to get into better shape is really a matter of preference.
Impact
One of the major areas where elliptical machines and running differ is with the impact they cause on the body. To operate an elliptical, you stand on gliding foot platforms while pushing and pulling hand-held poles. In contrast to running on a treadmill, this causes less stress on your back, hips and knees, according to MayoClinic.com. This makes the elliptical more beneficial if you were advised by your doctor to stay away from high-impact exercise.
Caloric Expenditure
When you perform cardio, you burn calories, which is an important component in weight loss. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week to maintain health and reduce the risk of disease. For the best weight loss results, the ACSM recommends 60 to 90 minutes of cardio. During a 60-minute vigorous elliptical training session, a 200-lb. person burns about 730 calories. This same size person burns about 1,040 calories running at 7 mph for the same length of time.
Muscles Used
Both running and elliptical training work multiple muscles in the lower body, such as the gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors. When you use an elliptical trainer, you get the added advantage of working your upper body. Every time you push and pull the poles, you work your shoulders, arms and back. Most ellipticals also come equipped with non-movable handles right below the console. You have the option of placing your hands on these and only using your legs during your workouts.
Resistance
Elliptical training and running both offer the ability to make your workouts more challenging. If you use an elliptical, you can adjust the resistance, incline or direction of motion. When you run outside, you can quickly change your speed by simply running faster or slower. You also have the option of running up hills. If you use a treadmill, you can change your speed or incline by pressing the appropriate buttons on the console.
Weight Bearing
To build stronger bones, you need to do weight-bearing exercise, which works the muscles and bones against gravity, according to Spine-Health. Being that you are constantly impacting the ground during running, this form of exercise is weight-bearing. Elliptical training is not a weight-bearing exercise because your feet remain stationary on platforms.
Member Comments