[Saracandoit]

I went to the gym today and did the elliptical for 35 minutes. This one had no arm movement but it took your pulse as you held onto it and on the "weightloss" setting it would incline every 5 minutes and put up a resistance. Phew.. it was a workout. I burned 350 calories. It allowed me to put in my height and weight also.. Now. I think it was easier then jogging on the treadmill which seems like it burns less calories and I cant do it as long!

Is the treadmill better then this?
Anyone know what machine is best for getting rid of thigh and butt fat?

[Smiling_Sara]

Originally Posted by Saracandoit

I went to the gym today and did the elliptical for 35 minutes. This one had no arm movement but it took your pulse as you held onto it and on the "weightloss" setting it would incline every 5 minutes and put up a resistance. Phew.. it was a workout. I burned 350 calories. It allowed me to put in my height and weight also.. Now. I think it was easier then jogging on the treadmill which seems like it burns less calories and I cant do it as long!

Is the treadmill better then this?
Anyone know what machine is best for getting rid of thigh and butt fat?

I've heard that the elliptical is better at burning calories, cause it still works after your done. I don't know how true this is, but it is what I've heard.

[krampus]

The elliptical is much easier on the knees and is just as good for working out the butt-thigh region.

[Petite Powerhouse]

Personally, I've had much more success with my bottom and thighs on the treadmill. I have a lot of experience with the elliptical, the stair stepper and the treadmill. I've used each individually for an extended period of time. I've evaluated my body throughout the time that I have used each machine, and for me the treadmill proved to be the most effective by far.

I have to qualify that, though. You can't target fat loss. Any of these machines will help you to lose fast, and that fat will come off of your body where it is genetically programmed to be lost. The fact that you are working your butt and legs does not mean that the fat in those places is being targeted specifically.

What I have found with the treadmill is that I like the shape that is left behind after fat loss. I think the treadmill has shaped my lower half better than the other machines.

BTW, I don't know if you were holding on to the elliptical the whole time or just long enough to get your heart rate, but you shouldn't hold on to any of the equipment when you are working out (unless of course your elliptical is designed for arm movement). It lowers your calorie burn because you are not working your body as hard.

[EliteTrainer]

The elliptical is essentially working the same muscle groups as the treadmill only it is lower-impact which is ideal for people with joint problems.

No cardio machine is really going to help you burn a significant amount of calories after the workout unless you perform an interval training routine on them. Interval training is the best kind of cardio you can do to bun calories during and after your workout. Interval training is the only cardio, that like weight lifting, creates EPOC or an exercise afterburn which causes your body to continue burning calories even after the workout and for roughly up to 36 hours or so.

An hour-of steady state cardio is effective, but interval training can be done in 20 minutes and burns even more calories. You can do a version of interval training on a treadmill or an elliptical. Research it a bit.

[milmin2043]

An excellent workout, that has definitely targeted my butt and thighs is the EFX Crosstrainer. I noticed the biggest difference by putting the incline all the way up and increasing the resistance. Talk about sweating? Whew!

I have had large thighs my ENTIRE life. Not anymore. I don't know if your gym has one of the machines, but they are terrific. They are a type of elliptical, because there is no stress on your joints.

Running on the treadmill has caused me to lose a lot more body fat than the elliptical ever did. I started out on the elliptical when I was at my highest weight, but don't find it that effective now that I am down to the last 20-25 lbs.

[hilariousness]

I find running on a treadmill that I can feel the burn after than on an elliptical and I feel like I have to work harder. I guess it figures in on the lower impact part of the elliptical but I wonder if it makes much difference as far as burning fat or losing weight goes. is it better to start lower and build intensity or just go straight to something harder?