when im at the gym i can easily run 4 miles at a high resistance and a good pace on an eliptical machine but when i run outside i can make it about half a mile before my lungs start to hurt. i dont smoke, im a rugby player...so i can run up and down the field, but its usually broken up with tackles and rucks and whatever. what is so different about the two types of exercise? its annoying me!!
2007-07-03 07:49:42 · 4 answers · asked by rasin_01 1 in Sports ➔ Running
Running is harder, plain and simple.
I did not like the elliptical machine at all; it put too much stress on my knees. Knees are meant to take a shock when extended, not bent, and the elliptical makes you push on them while bent. That's why so many people get hurt carrying things up stairs; really bad for knees.
Also, if you could watch someone's center of gravity while running you would see it bob up and down, which uses a lot of energy fighting gravity. On machines, you don't go up and down as much, so you're doing less mechanical work.
2007-07-03 09:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by n0witrytobeamused 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Much as I am revolted by the thought of agreeing w/ a cat person, amused is spot on. The bottom line is that machines (treadmills, even un-powered or elliptical) are not the same as running. Has nothing to do with the air and you probably have not forgotten how to breathe... Running is running; you can build cardio-vascular endurance doing something else, but as far as the machines are concerned, you might as well be swimming (very easy on the knees) for all the good it's going to do when you get out to the rugby pitch.
2007-07-03 18:05:13 · answer #2 · answered by big12trackfan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should analyze how you are running, you may be restricting your breathing in some way when you run outdoors.
That said, a machine does not exactly replicate the motion of running. There is no impact stress. There is no need to maintain balance. Gravity plays only a notional role. And on the machine, only your legs are really getting a workout.
Both are good exercise, but running is much more strenuous.
2007-07-03 14:54:30 · answer #3 · answered by Grendle 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could be several factors:
1. The outside air where you are running.
2. The extra effort of impact of actual running verse EFX machine.
3. The uncontrolled pace of running on your own. Are you starting out too fast?
2007-07-03 14:54:09 · answer #4 · answered by SoccerClipCincy 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋