Ranking a piece of fitness equipment against another is a difficult task because several factors should be considered, especially when choosing a unit that you plan on using for 30 to 60 minutes three to six times per week. For example, what are you training for? Do you have any injuries? What equipment do you enjoy using? Are your goals cosmetic or performance based?
Specificity
What someone is training for plays a huge role in choosing what equipment to use in the gym. If someone is training for a cycling event they should be using the stationary bike. This is called the specificity principle, which states that in order to improve a skill, you must train that skill. In other words, running won't get you to the top of your cycling game.
Injuries
Injuries also play a big role in how to choose which equipment one should use. If you are recovering from a knee injury and are told to minimize stress on the knee, the bike may be a better choice because it allows you to use the muscles surrounding the knee without placing undue stress on the joint. On the other hand, if you have hip flexor issues, the elliptical may be the better choice because it is more upright and typically requires less hip flexor activation than a bike does.
Enjoyment
Enjoyment is a difficult thing to quantify, yet it is undeniable the effect of enjoying a piece of equipment --- or disliking it for that matter --- has on how long we use the machine and the effectiveness of the workout. For proof, simply ask yourself how long you are willing to do something that you absolutely hate versus something you love.
Calories
For most people, it all comes down to which piece of equipment burns the most calories. A 150-lb. woman burns between 130 and 330 calories per 30 minutes on the stationary bike compared with 387 calories burned on an elliptical, according to Calorie-Counter.net. It would appear that if your goal is to burn calories that the elliptical is the better choice.
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