Cross Trainer v Treadmill
Discussion
Title should be cross trainer v STAIR MASTER!!
I think my question boils down to - how much do we really need to push our hearts to the near limit?
I started going to the gym and I always finish off with cardio. As I have had knee operations I don't use the treadmill to reduce knee impact.
I started using the 'Stair Master' machine... my reasons were
- low impact
- I am not great at walking distances and its something I want to improve.
- when I go on holiday I might climb a tall building or site so its good practice for that - and that is the MAIN reason I do it.
I've been playing with levels 4 - 7and last time I did it got up to almost 2000 steps.
The machine is supposed to work glutes and calves which is good as the yare areas of weakness for me.
The only downside is that although I get fatigued, my heart rate doesn't get as high as it does on the cross trainer.
On the step machine, I could increase the steep but it would get to the point of feeling a bit unsafe (I don't hold the rails) as I just imagine I am walking up a tower block.....if you lose focus you could have a bad fall as there are only 2 steps to really stand on.
So the cross trainer is less physically demanding but I find it can get my heart rate a bit higher.
I've been mixing them up and will prob continue to do so....but my question is, should I be using the cross trainer more to get my heart pumping more? I WILL get fit with the Stair Master - its just a question of whether pumping the heart more often will expedite my fitness journey.
I am purely trying to burn the calories - building muscle is not the main goal and I do other weights as well.
From what I can see online, a cross trainer does burn a few more calories than a stair master. But the stair master feels like it will give me other real world benefits and as long as you get a sweat on the difference may be negligible?
I should add that after long periods of being overweight I am feeling very good having lost some bulk - its made a huge difference to my mood.
I think my question boils down to - how much do we really need to push our hearts to the near limit?
I started going to the gym and I always finish off with cardio. As I have had knee operations I don't use the treadmill to reduce knee impact.
I started using the 'Stair Master' machine... my reasons were
- low impact
- I am not great at walking distances and its something I want to improve.
- when I go on holiday I might climb a tall building or site so its good practice for that - and that is the MAIN reason I do it.
I've been playing with levels 4 - 7and last time I did it got up to almost 2000 steps.
The machine is supposed to work glutes and calves which is good as the yare areas of weakness for me.
The only downside is that although I get fatigued, my heart rate doesn't get as high as it does on the cross trainer.
On the step machine, I could increase the steep but it would get to the point of feeling a bit unsafe (I don't hold the rails) as I just imagine I am walking up a tower block.....if you lose focus you could have a bad fall as there are only 2 steps to really stand on.
So the cross trainer is less physically demanding but I find it can get my heart rate a bit higher.
I've been mixing them up and will prob continue to do so....but my question is, should I be using the cross trainer more to get my heart pumping more? I WILL get fit with the Stair Master - its just a question of whether pumping the heart more often will expedite my fitness journey.
I am purely trying to burn the calories - building muscle is not the main goal and I do other weights as well.
From what I can see online, a cross trainer does burn a few more calories than a stair master. But the stair master feels like it will give me other real world benefits and as long as you get a sweat on the difference may be negligible?
I should add that after long periods of being overweight I am feeling very good having lost some bulk - its made a huge difference to my mood.
A rower will build muscle everywhere and give good cardio if you do quite a lot. Agree about form, do it slowly (18-20spm) and focus on form.
You'll see lots of people in the gym going quickly for 10 minutes with crap form. Probably better than nothing - unless your back gives in
A decent exercise bike will build cardio and leg muscles - again low intensity high volume.
The treadmill, if it is any good, will have gradients built into the programme. Not great for the joints though, especially if you have dodgy knees.
Not sure about cross-trainers, I use one of these to warm up in the gym and it gets the heart rate up pretty quickly.
How much do we really need to push our hearts to the near limit? You don't but when you are younger there is no harm it hitting the limiter.
You'll see lots of people in the gym going quickly for 10 minutes with crap form. Probably better than nothing - unless your back gives in
A decent exercise bike will build cardio and leg muscles - again low intensity high volume.
The treadmill, if it is any good, will have gradients built into the programme. Not great for the joints though, especially if you have dodgy knees.
Not sure about cross-trainers, I use one of these to warm up in the gym and it gets the heart rate up pretty quickly.
How much do we really need to push our hearts to the near limit? You don't but when you are younger there is no harm it hitting the limiter.
Edited by Yahonza on Friday 19th September 18:03
Sheets Tabuer said:
Surely if you want a HR workout the bike is the best option?
I have dodgy knees and the treadmill is fine, going up and down stairs is another matter.
I've tried a number of cardio machines in the gym and I find the Cross Trainer for me burns more calories and gets my heart rate faster than a bike does. I have dodgy knees and the treadmill is fine, going up and down stairs is another matter.
I'm not a fan of the stair master personally simply because I can't get comfortable on it, I think my feet are too big for the machine steps to be comfortable on it.
I use the tread mill occasionally if I can't get on a cross trainer but it's usually for a fast paced walk, if i'm running I prefer to be outside to on a treadmill
Yahonza said:
How much do we really need to push our hearts to the near limit? You don't but when you are younger there is no harm it hitting the limiter.
I believe the current thinking is muscle is more important than cardio as you get older (40+). I've stopped chasing FTP numbers years ago, nearly all my cardio is now Zone 3 max, but am doing a lot more strength work. Resting Hr now is virtually the same as when I really just doing cardio.A couple of helpful hints for the Concept 2 rower, if you are using that, and rowing technique in general.
The damper should be at a low setting (3-5) - even if you are beginner. Gyms often have them set at 10 and people go for a 5 minute Vmax - desist from this - leads to a bad back and poor form and will tire you out quickly.
Form is basically, the catch, the drive, the finish, the recovery. Your legs should be doing most of the work on the drive (60%), followed by the core/torso (30%), and the arms at the finish (10%). If you doubt this, try pulling with just the arms and look at the time. Don't go above 20 strokes per minute and focus on good form.
The damper should be at a low setting (3-5) - even if you are beginner. Gyms often have them set at 10 and people go for a 5 minute Vmax - desist from this - leads to a bad back and poor form and will tire you out quickly.
Form is basically, the catch, the drive, the finish, the recovery. Your legs should be doing most of the work on the drive (60%), followed by the core/torso (30%), and the arms at the finish (10%). If you doubt this, try pulling with just the arms and look at the time. Don't go above 20 strokes per minute and focus on good form.
Yahonza said:
A couple of helpful hints for the Concept 2 rower, if you are using that, and rowing technique in general.
The damper should be at a low setting (3-5) - even if you are beginner. Gyms often have them set at 10 and people go for a 5 minute Vmax - desist from this - leads to a bad back and poor form and will tire you out quickly.
Form is basically, the catch, the drive, the finish, the recovery. Your legs should be doing most of the work on the drive (60%), followed by the core/torso (30%), and the arms at the finish (10%). If you doubt this, try pulling with just the arms and look at the time. Don't go above 20 strokes per minute and focus on good form.
This!The damper should be at a low setting (3-5) - even if you are beginner. Gyms often have them set at 10 and people go for a 5 minute Vmax - desist from this - leads to a bad back and poor form and will tire you out quickly.
Form is basically, the catch, the drive, the finish, the recovery. Your legs should be doing most of the work on the drive (60%), followed by the core/torso (30%), and the arms at the finish (10%). If you doubt this, try pulling with just the arms and look at the time. Don't go above 20 strokes per minute and focus on good form.
That damper is not a resistance setting - if Olympic rowers use between 3 & 5 in training then everybody else can too.
A trap I fell into is going faster as I got tired, trying to keep my effort levels high. It took a while for me to realise that I was actually going slower because I wasn't pulling as hard - my stroke rate was well over 40 but I wasn't generating anywhere near the power and I probably looked like a bit of a loon. My fastest times (and my hardest workouts) have all been where I've concentrated on technique, breathing and power.
I had another go last night after watching some videos - I realised I was pulling with my hands initially so sorted that out and could feel it being much easier when I sued my legs but still face same problem of form going to pot.
I think the thing is with higher resistance is that it forces you to go slow.
Will try again.
As I still struggle a bit with the rower I've been doing the stairs after so getting both in.
I think the thing is with higher resistance is that it forces you to go slow.
Will try again.
As I still struggle a bit with the rower I've been doing the stairs after so getting both in.
If the goal is purely to burn calories - keep HR fairly low.
I can't remember off the top of my head, but check out heart rate zone training.
Lower HR uses fat for energy, higher HR uses glycogen in muscle. Higher intensity, as you'd expect, burns more calories, but less sustainable for a long session.
And check out UT2 training as well. Sounds like that's where you'd benefit a lot. I mean, everyone would, but in your instance it keeps you in the sweet spot for your goal.
I would use whichever machine you can maintain your form on for the required time - 45-60m. Rowing machine is the best machine all-round, but as you say, form can drop quickly. It's very easy to injure yourself when tired.
ETA - try and get a chest strap type HR monitor if you haven't already, they are the most reliable. I have Polar one that has been flawless for years, but loads available.
I can't remember off the top of my head, but check out heart rate zone training.
Lower HR uses fat for energy, higher HR uses glycogen in muscle. Higher intensity, as you'd expect, burns more calories, but less sustainable for a long session.
And check out UT2 training as well. Sounds like that's where you'd benefit a lot. I mean, everyone would, but in your instance it keeps you in the sweet spot for your goal.
I would use whichever machine you can maintain your form on for the required time - 45-60m. Rowing machine is the best machine all-round, but as you say, form can drop quickly. It's very easy to injure yourself when tired.
ETA - try and get a chest strap type HR monitor if you haven't already, they are the most reliable. I have Polar one that has been flawless for years, but loads available.
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