Elliptical or Treadmill for fatloss?

[fattytofit]

I'm wondering whats best? A lot of my friends at the gym tell me " No don't do elliptical you wont lose a thing. Treadmills give better workouts...etc.." The thing is i think i can go longer and burn MUCH more calories on the elliptical while not damaging my joints (I'm really heavy). For example, i could go 40-60min on the elliptical and burn 700-900 calories in one shot. I can never do that on a tread...i feel like it takes FOREVER to burn on a tread.
So whats your opinions ?

[msm00b]

If you weren't 380lbs I'd recommend running on the road, outside, getting some fresh air. For now, the Eliptical will likely give you the best low-impact workout.

Having said that ... weight loss starts and ends in the kitchen. Compared to diet, what you do in the gym is negligible.

[ThousandEyes]

As far as weight loss is concerned a calorie burned is a calorie burned. Doesn't matter how you burn them, just burn them and you'll see progress

[justmightbecraz]

I think you need to learn where the incline button is on the treadmill before you say "I could never burn that much on a treadmill", and make sure it's a treadmill that asks for your body weight because "Quick Start" assumes an average body weight of 160-180 lbs depending on the manufacturer.

< 254 lbs, did 3.2 mph @ 3.5% incline for 60 min today, ~600 cals burned. At 380 lbs it'd be a lot more than that, probably somewhere around 800-900.

[Crooktele79]

When I started out I just went for a mile walk on the road every day... Every few weeks I would up the distance. I lost 170 pounds before I ever set foot in a gym

[GoUSAguy]

I think you need to learn where the incline button is on the treadmill before you say "I could never burn that much on a treadmill", and make sure it's a treadmill that asks for your body weight because "Quick Start" assumes an average body weight of 160-180 lbs depending on the manufacturer.

< 254 lbs, did 3.2 mph @ 3.5% incline for 60 min today, ~600 cals burned. At 380 lbs it'd be a lot more than that, probably somewhere around 800-900.

^^^This^^^

I prefer to start on the elliptical and then go to the treadmill after that. On cardio days, I typically do each one for about 30 min each. I think this is a good start for an obese person because weights can be tough at the beginning, and this is something that helps everything. Then, when you get more endurance, you can do some HIIT on the elliptical and steep incline (10 to 12%) on the treadmill. Like the man said, around 3.2 and 4% grade is a good place to start.

Another thing to consider, I used to quit when I was tired. Now I just walk on the treadmill when I'm ready to quit. It is not that hard, and it gives you some extra calories burned.

Now get to it and incorporate some compound lifts (dead lift, bench, squat). Good luck.

[mrivera11]

Didn't read your post or any replies.

This is my answer:

Diet for fat loss.

[mrivera11]

Back when I was +310lb, I started doing P90 Fat Burner Express (very low impact IMO).

That, and coupled with a good sensible diet, shed the fat very easily. Oh yeah, I started to wash my car and all the cars in my house weekly plus some walking around the block.

Basically, low impact NEAT is what sheds them pounds.


Did I say a good diet too?? In your place, I would add some metabolic weight training (Circuit type).

[kevsworld]

I'm wondering whats best? A lot of my friends at the gym tell me " No don't do elliptical you wont lose a thing. Treadmills give better workouts...etc.." The thing is i think i can go longer and burn MUCH more calories on the elliptical while not damaging my joints (I'm really heavy). For example, i could go 40-60min on the elliptical and burn 700-900 calories in one shot. I can never do that on a tread...i feel like it takes FOREVER to burn on a tread.
So whats your opinions ?

As others have mentioned, diet is THE key.

Having said that, there's NOTHING wrong with burning some extra calories on a elliptical trainer. Doesn't matter if you use it or a treadmill.

[gpo613]

Of course the true answer like everyone has said is diet is far more important than what activity you are doing. Having said that I am coming off a 10 month cut. I have lost 110lbs. Since I was quite heavy at the beginning and I did not want to mess with my joints I mostly did the elliptical. BTW, I am now ready for the elliptical olympics. I also did plenty of walking at lunch time at work. I started to run in the last 2 months partly because the weather is better. The most important factor in choosing an activity is choosing one that you will stick with to burn the calories. If after 40 mins on either machine if you are not dripping in sweat then you need to crank up the intensity. After 60 mins on the elliptical I look like I just came out of the pool.