Best Cardio at Gym?

[runnerguy1977]

I had always assumed that running on a treadmill would be solid cardio for 30 minutes. How does that compare to other cardio machines like an Eliptical, Stairclimber or Eliptical Stairclimber?

Thanks for any insight.

D.

 

[3nipples]

Any of these machines are good in terms of cardio, but better is to alternate between them because your muscles are worked a bit differently on each.

Try also to get in some outdoor cardio. Running or cycling outside brings additional elements that you don't get on a static machine.

 

[KaraBulut]

It also depends on what level you're using on the machines. There's a big difference between walking on a flat treadmill vs walking on a high incline setting vs running on an interval training setting.

 

[AverageJoe]

You can't say something's really the best cardio because everything's relative.

The question is, what do you want to get out of it?
Some suggestions
Burning Calories - Treadmill
Low Impact - Swimming than maybe eliptical
Leg Strengthing - Biking
Full Body - Rowing or mat exercises

I guess it really just depends on what you want. I probably burn more calories stretching than some of the people I've seen walking on treadmills.

Though, if I had to pick one, I'd say swimming is probably the "best" cardio exercises. It's just damn hard to do.

 

[BiGkAhOoNa]

Not sure if your gym has them but Spinning (Cycling) classes burn a decent amount of calories. With the right music/instructor they can be really fun as well.

But as Joe said, swimming is an excellent exercise because its working pretty much your whole body instead of just your legs like running does.

Its all up to preference, though, find something that you like to do and can see yourself doing multiple times a week and start that way. You can add interval training to that exercise to switch things up a bit.

Good luck

 

[palemale]

I say get off the machines and try boxing. It's loads of fun and a great cardio workout.

 

[voyager1994]

I personally like treadmill and treadclimber - 30 to 35 min run on a treadmill @ 10.3 km/h burns about 500 calories, while a 20 min @ 6 km/h on a treadclimber burns about 300 calories.