Bicycle riding and elliptical training are forms of cardiovascular exercise. To decide which is better for you, test out both types of equipment at a gym. Ask the staff to show you how the two types of machines work. Typically, for both types, you mount the machine and begin pedaling. The display will turn on and offer workout settings and options, which you can adjust to customize the exercise.
Bicycles
Cycling is an effective, low-impact cardiovascular workout. Outdoor cyclists use roads, trails or bike paths. The nature of the terrain over which you bicycle affects the intensity of the cardiovascular exercise you get. Indoor cyclists use stationary bicycles, which have pedaling mechanisms with adjustable resistance settings, allowing you to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout at will.
Elliptical Machines
Elliptical machines also provide an effective cardiovascular workout. You stand upright while using an elliptical machine, so the exercise motion is more like a stride than the circular motion that peddling a bicycle entails. Elliptical machines have adjustable resistance settings, just like stationary bicycles. To increase the intensity of the exercise, you move faster or increase the resistance.
Similarities
Elliptical machines and bicycles are relatively low-impact compared to running on a treadmill or participating in a vigorous group exercise class. For those who want to burn as many calories as possible, both types of machines provide similarly intense exercise. For example, a 125-lb. person using an elliptical trainer for 30 minutes burns 270 calories, according to Harvard Medical School. A 125-lb. person using a stationary bicycle at a moderate pace burns 210 calories in 30 minutes of activity. A 125-lb. person bicycling outdoors for 30 minutes at 14 to 15.9 mph burns 300 calories.
Differences
An elliptical machine involves your arms, but bicycles do not. So if you want a full body workout, an elliptical machine is the better option. Some people, however, might find the full-body movement too taxing. In that case, bicycling might be a better choice. An outdoor bike is a better choice if exercising outdoors is important to you.
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