How effective is the elliptical vs. running or other cardio workouts?

Question

I understand that the elliptical is better on your joints etc. etc. but how effective is it? Meaning, do I need to do twice as much of it to get the same cardio workout that running would give me?

Answer 1

running on a treadmill makes me feel much more tired afterward than the elliptical machine. the elliptical machine does take the impact out of it, but it also makes you work less and it doesn't have a constant speed, so you have to keep yourself going at a certain rate. there's no belt forcing you to run. i won't use anything but the treadmill unless i'm feeling quite tired. then the elliptical fits in just fine. the way i see it:

treadmill running - hardest workout (of the three here)
elliptical trainer - medium/easier workout
stationary bike - easiest workout.

Answer 2

Elliptical is good for your joints. I first started working out with one but it became too easy & I wasnt getting any calorie burn out of it anymore. Now I workout to aerobics dvds, & even that now I have to use 10 lbs of ankle weights when doing the aerobics to get a good workout.

Answer 3

Elliptical is great because it is minimal impact on joints and is a total body workout.

Answer 4

mix it up...working out with free weights, controlled and with proper form burns wayyyyy more fat/calories and tones much better than any kind or amount of cardio. too many women are "scared" theyd get butch but they dont really have the hormones to do so and wouldnt be using really heavy weights. doing too much of the same thing can weaken other parts

Answer 5

Elliptical has less impact on your knees than running. This is one of my fav workout machines.

Answer 6

Do you have access to an Arc Trainer? I can burn 900 calories in an hour on one of those and it's cardio, baby!