Quote:
Originally Posted by Peanut
So, I have another question for those with all the knowledge in here (NoWorries, Azure, etc.). I saw a trainer on TV who was pretty negative towards elliptical trainers because the movement doesn't have 'application in real life' like a treadmill, stairs, and bike exercise would have. Would you agree that cardio on the elliptical is not as "good" because you never do those motions in real life? And this leads to my second question: my friend took me to a high-intensity aerobics class at GoodLife yesterday. It was definitely an intense cardio workout, but again, the movements in there don't have a lot of "real life" applications (unless you like to clap and bounce around a lot I guess  ). So is it a "worse" workout to be doing aerobics when I could be doing a spin class/running stairs/jogging for an hour instead? |
In my opinion, the elliptical forces you to move in an unnatural way. My parents bought one and I guess the idea is to use it to minimize impact to the joints, but I found it forced me to move in a pattern that did not fit for me and like a smith machine is to squatting, I think the elliptical is the same thing for running. I think a treadmill is better than an elliptical though. If you enjoy running though, I would do it out side if at all possible - I only use my treadmill when working out if I need to use my weights during a workout. If it is strictly for a run I will go outside. In hindsight I would buy a rower instead of a treadmill, but oh well, live and learn. Another thing is treadmills are not fast enough for sprinting, and that is what I do most for running anyway.
If I were to rate the equipment/exercises I would go something like this:
swimming/rowing > running/cycling > treadmill > elliptical
As far as your second question, clapping and bouncing does not sound that effective, but I guess with out knowing what they are doing and for how long, I can't say how effective it would be.
Most people I think would benefit a heck of a lot more just doing something like this (full range of motion on all excercises - this will look familiar to anybody that has looked at/ or done crossfit
):
as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes of:
5 pullups
10 pushups
15 squats
3 times a week for cardio than aerobics...but I am not really sure what is involved in the aerobics.