Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelt
Well, the bad news is that my river trail has closed for most of the rest of the year so I’m down to the gym for now. I’m going to miss it and have to find a replacement.
So I’m trying to determine the best cardio for me. Nevermind, I need a project. It’s kind of interesting to try the different machines with an unconnected heart rate monitor and realize the differences in “perceived effort”. I ran across the term when checking out the Arc trainer and decided to do some tests. So far I’ve done the elliptical, stairmaster, and both upright and recumbent bikes. I’ve held out on the treadmill because I’m such a klutz I’m pretty sure I’d fall off the back.
So far the stairmaster has the record for getting my heartrate into my target zone the fastest at under 5 minutes, followed by the elliptical at 6-8 minutes. The weird thing is that on the upright bike it took 20 minutes and I was sweating like a dog and on the recumbent I can’t even get there. The limiting factor seems to be leg strength, but I’m really surprised at what a difference just being upright makes over being seated.  I’m not using arms on anything so that will probably push the elliptical up although I haven’t done the Arc on my little test yet or the treadmill. The stairmaster tricked me. I have run up and down stairs a lot, I used to be faster than elevators, and until recently lived in a third floor walk-up. I’ll tell you what; having the stairs move under me instead of me moving on fixed stairs takes the prize for me feeling like I’m gonna fall off, that’s for sure.
I wish there were still cross country ski trainers, it would be an interesting comparison. I used to have one way back when and it would kick my butt regularly. Tomorrow I’ll time the Arc and see how fast my HR goes up and see if I can get a winner for most efficient cardio workout by which gets my HR going fastest while killing me the least. 
Hey, somebody’s gotta do it. |
Kelt, I assume it is adding your body weight to the mix on the steps and elliptical that makes the difference. It is not the same on the bicycles. You have to start working harder right away. The stairs more than the elliptical. That is why it is the winner (I think I am making this whole thing up, but it sounds logical).
I have never liked the stairs because it isn't sustainable for me. I don't like the treadmill because the arches in my feet hurt and my arms aren't getting any resistance. The bike just doesn't get up the heart rate and I burn less calories (plus, again, no workout for the arms). We don't have an Arc at my gym, so it is the elliptical for me. I'm happy with it.