Two of the most popular exercise modalities, running and the elliptical trainer, provide a way to burn calories while strengthening your heart. Because most of us are pressed for time, we want to burn the most calories expediently. Understanding whether you will get better calorie burning results from the elliptical or from running helps you decide which works best for your needs. How many calories you burn in either exercise depends largely on the intensity with which you approach them, your efficiency at the exercise and the size of your body.
Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical trainers provide a unique, low-impact workout that combines stair stepping and rhythmic striding. Some elliptical trainers come with a leg only component while others include poles that can be moved back and forth with your arms to up your calorie expenditure and provide upper-body strengthening. Adjust the intensity of your elliptical workout by changing the ramp height, the resistance and your own stride speed of movement.
Running
Calories burned running depend where you perform your run. Running outside burns slightly more calories than on a flat treadmill because of terrain changes and wind resistance. Increasing your incline or picking up speed on the treadmill brings about greater calorie expenditures. Running puts more pressure on the joints and back, so the risk of injury when running increases.
Potential
Both exercises provide the opportunity to burn a good amount of calories. To create a strong calorie burn, you need to push yourself hard enough to break a sweat and raise your heart rate to at least 70 percent of maximum. A 150 lb. woman working at this intensity on the elliptical can burn 600 to 700 calories in one hour. Use an elliptical with upper-body movements to burn more calories. Running a 10-minute mile burns also burns about 600 to 700 calories per hour for the same 150 lb. woman, but if you change your terrain or pick up your speed, expect to burn more. Remember, if you are a competitive runner, you are likely to burn less because of your body's efficiency at the exercise. If you use the elliptical all the time, you too will experience less calorie-burn benefit than if you are new to the exercise.
Considerations
People who are significantly overweight or who have joint or back concerns are better off utilizing the elliptical trainer. Because your feet never leave the pedals, it is essentially a no-impact workout. Beginners might also have an easier time on the elliptical because it is less likely to cause soreness post-workout. Beginners will likely have to work up to running by walking or jogging first--both of which result in a lower calorie burn than running.
Verdict
Running will scorch lots of calories if you are willing to perform intervals of speed and hills. For some, it might be easier to run a little faster than to force a slog through a very stiff resistance level on the elliptical. But if you are willing to push aggressively on the elliptical and stay out of a comfortable zone, you can come pretty close to the calories burned running. Your body might thank you from saving the wear and tear on your joints. Ideally, you will find a way to incorporate both modalities into your exercise routine so that your body does not become too adept at one certain exercise and continues to maximize calorie burn at both.
Member Comments