Cardio Excercise

snoops123

Hi
Can anyone advise me if it is better to do one cardio machine like the cross trainer for 35mins or to do 20mins on the cross trainer, 10mins on the stepper and 10 mins on the bike......

EileenG

Whatever suits you. Personally, I reckon most cardio machines are so boring that switching them up keeps me slightly interested. Try seeing which one can burn the most cals in ten minutes.

yomchi

For fat burning, pick the machine that helps you get to your target heart rate and maintains it easily for a good 30 mins.
Because you're using all limbs on a cross trainer you'll reach your THR sooner than just biking it, same with a rower - more of your body is moving.

Fat burning should be at a heart rate of about 70% of your Maximum heart rate.
See http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm

or

here http://www.thewalkingsite.com/thr.html

Colm_OReilly

Whatever you do, make sure you constantly look to increase your intensity, which will equate to speed on the machines basically.

Your body adapts to steady state (constant speed/same activity) demands rather quickly so you've got to keep changing it to keep driving adaptation.

If you're going for one machine, personally I think nothing gives you more bang for your buck than a Concept II rowing machine.

Of course, cardio workouts don't have to be all machines. Try doing 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats for 20 minutes, and see how gassed you are after that.