Can Elliptical trainers replace running for cardio

WAREAGLE · 10-18-2006, 05:49 PM

Iv been having alot of problems w/ my knees and shins from running, so i switched to the eliptical trainer I do 30- 45 min w/ Intervals thrown in, It's not as hard as sprints as far as lungs burning...so I throw burpees in 3-5x a week along w/ my standup and jujitsu sessions..

Does this seem okay, blending Eclipse machine w/ burpees for comprehensive Cardio training in regards to MMA!

Ian Coe · 10-18-2006, 06:23 PM

Sparring?

I assume this is supplement work, right.

I guess it could help with aerobic capacity. I'm fucked at the mo when it comes to training becaus of a ankle injury, so I'm having to tick by with the eltipical and complexes.

I feel gay for using the eliptical though

Have you tried running on grass btw

Clint07 · 10-18-2006, 09:06 PM

I would imagine that the elliptical machine would be fine for distance running, although sprints won't work as well. Maybe try doing sprint sessions on grass and all of your distance work on the elliptical machine. If that still gives you too much trouble then keep doing what you're doing and see how it goes.

SnowMongoose · 10-18-2006, 09:10 PM

Elliptical works just fine, it's all about getting your heart rate up and keeping it there.
Grass/Gravel/etc are good calls as well... tried switching up running shoes?
When my knee was bothering me, I went to a running store and had them take a look at my gait, they reccomended some shoes that supported me much better, no problems since.

Mark Limbaga · 10-19-2006, 12:01 AM

That would be fine

Edog30 · 10-19-2006, 03:31 AM

There is no replacement for running, but more running.
However, an Eliptical machine can give you a great cardio workout.

frettish · 10-19-2006, 08:12 AM

I do HIIT on elipticals all the time, especially in the winter when it's snowy and I can't sprint outside.

Set the resistance on the highest setting and and fuckin wheel that thing as fast as you can.

If you've got a good elliptical that has a very tough resistance, you can easily achieve max capacity when it comes to heart rate.

Running will always be superior because it works more muscles and it's harder to "cheat", but strictly speaking for cardiovascular health / wind / endurance / etc, you can still get a really effective workout on an elliptical.

Tone C · 10-19-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Coe

Sparring?

Have you tried running on grass btw

Its better for you and softer on knees/ankles etc than concrete/tarmac.Just don't do what I did one day when I stepped on a nail hidden in the grass....straight thru my decent(newish) Asics and into the sole of my left foot,opening up a hole about an 3/4 inch wide and long in it and stopping about 1/2 inch in.It was straight off to hospital(which I'm lucky is about 5 mins away).They had to dig round/clean it etc then Xray to make sure they got any metal out...and I piled on 2 1/2 stone in weight...couldnt run,cycle properly,train etc...shitter..

Clint07 · 10-19-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frettish

I do HIIT on elipticals all the time, especially in the winter when it's snowy and I can't sprint outside.

Set the resistance on the highest setting and and fuckin wheel that thing as fast as you can.

If you've got a good elliptical that has a very tough resistance, you can easily achieve max capacity when it comes to heart rate.

Running will always be superior because it works more muscles and it's harder to "cheat", but strictly speaking for cardiovascular health / wind / endurance / etc, you can still get a really effective workout on an elliptical.

I'll have to try that. I just took my parent's elliptical machine from their house since they don't use it but i couldn't figure out how to sprint on the damn thing.

Revok · 10-19-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tone C

Its better for you and softer on knees/ankles etc than concrete/tarmac.Just don't do what I did one day when I stepped on a nail hidden in the grass....straight thru my decent(newish) Asics and into the sole of my left foot,opening up a hole about an 3/4 inch wide and long in it and stopping about 1/2 inch in.It was straight off to hospital(which I'm lucky is about 5 mins away).They had to dig round/clean it etc then Xray to make sure they got any metal out...and I piled on 2 1/2 stone in weight...couldnt run,cycle properly,train etc...shitter..

lol. Oh shit, thanks for the paranoia. Also I remember someone saying once that they stepped in a gopher hole and fucked up their leg for years afterwards. And then there's the dog shit...

Still, grass > everything else.