cardio and calories

[supaluva]

What burns more calories the stationary bike or the treadmill? Or is there a difference and are the calories counted on the equipment accurate?

[Timbo]

At the same relative intensity level (e.g. % VO2max), you'll likely burn more calories on the treadmill than on the bike for a given period of time. However, that's not to say you can't tear it up on the bike, you just have to push yourself hella hard! There's not really an answer to "which is better" because whichever one you prefer and can push yourself the hardest is probably best for you.

I wouldn't really use the number of calories burned from the equipment as a set-in-stone truth. You can estimate the number of calories you burn by multiplying your bodyweight times the metabolic equivalent of your intensity (MET) and then by the time you're performing. I know this sounds a bit confusing, but I don't have the numbers right off hand. Basically, for a given bodyweight, you burn more calories at a higher workload.