Question for those that use cardio machines as the gym...

[TDF97]

For those that use the treadmill and exercise bike, whats everyone set the thing to? Im talking in regards to MPH and incline. I usually set the mph to 5.5 or so and incline to 1.5 for the treadmill. I've used the bike a bunch of times, but never really paid attention to my speed, I usually just go at a rate that I can tell is pushing me pretty good.

[taffer]

for the bike, i do intervals on level 15, whatever that is!
i try to keep the rpm at 60 for slow intervals, and 120-130 for fast ones, the bike automatically increases/decreases the ressistance

[cita.mr1]

tred mill, run at 6mph, or walk at 4 at a 10 incline, ellipitcal, above 200 strides per minute at either 5-7 resistance, and cross trainer incline 10 at 190-200 strides per min.

[aironite]

I've had tremendous success on the eliptical machine. On the precor elliptical @ my gym, I do the following:

35 mins total:

2 min warm-up (10 resistance)
2 min @ 80% effort (10 resistance)
2 min @ 60% effort (10 resistance)

Last 5 mins: Cooldown @ 5 resistance

This makes for an excellent and effective workout. I do this as an extremely watered down HIIT-type workout. ECA prevents me from practicing full-blown HIIT.

[jaymed]

Running on the treadmill, my speed varies from 7.6 to 8.9 depending on what interval I'm on. I don't usually run at an incline but I may have to start doing so soon

[Squatman]

I usually do intervals on the treadmill at 5mph and 8mph, always at an incline of 1%. I've read from a couple different sources now that have said not to run past an incline of 3 or 4 and to use speed to vary your intensity, not incline. Running at too much of an incline can put stress on your back, as can constantly changing incline. Haven't seen any studies or anything like that, but makes sense to me.

[teewoods]

only ome equipement deserves preaise and thats the elliptical. go LEVEL 14 HIIT @ nothing less than 90rpm.

But normally i'd be L14/15@ 70rpm.

[cowboyathlete]

I much prefer mountain biking to using a toy bike at the gym. It is a challenge, it burns more calories, and the scenery holds my attention more.

[love_to_lift]

Gotta' agree with Cowboy: why stay at the gym any longer than you need to when you can get a great cardio workout outside (especially in spring/summer)? I can't think of anything more tedious than attaching myself to a machine for thrity minutes inside a building.

...and then there are those gym members who drive around the parking lot searching for a space close to the front door of the gym, only to jump on a treadmill (or worse: stand in line for one) upon entering.

[tokki]

Because sometimes its more convenient to do it at the gym, especially when combining with weights. Sometimes the weather sucks and some people live in a city where its tough to get out and run or bike unless you wanna breathe in car fumes. So thats why some people use toy equipment. I like it. I usually do an hour on a bike at 300watts all the way, which gives me a good workout.

[TDF97]

Man I would love to go mountain biking, but there isnt anywhere to do it where Im staying for the summer. I also live literally next door to my gym, so its easy to walk over in the morning when no one is there and do my cardio. Im going to have to try using the elliptical machine.

[Matthew Shepard]

Those bikes suck unless you only want very light cardio....you can burn so many more calories on an elliptical trainer or treadmill.

[clint802002]

At the gym you can watch tv while you workout, it distracts me and I can do more that way. Although I love mountain biking, but the 40 min drive isnt always convenient.



Clint