equivalent run work-out on an elliptical machine?

Is there any way to get close to an equivalent run work-out on an elliptical machine?

I have an elliptical but do not have a treadmill. The winters have been mild enough that I only occasionally use the elliptical; however, this year most of my running has been on the elliptical. While I know that an elliptical, theoretically, burns more calories it does not seem to give me the same work out that I need to complete a race a target goals. So should I increase the incline, increase the pace, or increase the time to get my running “equivalent” workout? I am not going to go buy anything new until my elliptical is completely trashed!!!! I have already had it for 10 years and it continues to work great and certainly provide a great workout.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Newton on January 13, 2009 at 8:35pm

Although I don't go to a gym and don't own an elliptical machine, I'm a big fan of them. I think they are less hard on the knees than a treadmill. Having said that, I'm a bigger fan of outdoor workouts, and I agree with you; outdoors does seem harder.

As far as increases in the machine, I think increasing the incline and pace would work the best, depending on how much you can take.

I'd be very interested to find out your results....................:)

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Permalink Reply by Jonn McCurry on January 22, 2009 at 9:50am

An update on the elliptical machine. I increased the incline. I don’t have time to increase time on the machine. Additionally, the ends of my feet get numb if I am on there for much more than an hour. Trying to run faster on elliptical is just as hard running faster on land. So that meant increasing the incline or increasing the resistance. There is a point where increasing the resistance doesn’t feel natural (or like I am running in snow) so it really only left the incline. Which left increasing the incline one level. This is an old machine and so I am not sure how the levels on the machine are related to % incline. All I can say is that I am at level 3.

It seems to be close to the same level of effort as a run. It maybe just a little less. I have to resist the temptation to decrease the resistance when I get fatigued.

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Permalink Reply by Andi on February 9, 2009 at 5:37am

I love the elliptical at the gym because I feel like I am getting a great run workout without that impact that is damaging to my knees. We don't have an incline option on ours just the resistance. The great thing is that if you use a Polar HRM (heart rate monitor) it reads off of it so it displays on the machine and you don't have to look at your wrist for the reading.