Question about ellipticals?

Question

is running 3 miles on an elliptical the same as running 3 miles on foot? because running on the elliptical is easier than running on foot and i was just wondering if has the same effect.

Answer 1

Well obviously it is easier to run on a treadmill because you are running on a flat surface consistently, while going out for a jog you may run on rocks. It should be easier.

Answer 2

No, it's not.  Any stationary, treadmill type machine is easier, and with the ellipsoidal you feet are placed further apart which puts strain on the hip adductors.

Answer 3

...

You are right to observe that running on the elliptical is easier than running on foot - your observation hints at the difference - they are not the same!

Running on foot involves lifting your legs, striking, and pushing off.  There's a lot of impact on your legs, your muscles, joints, and bones, when you run on foot.  Typically, you are burning more calories, expending more energy, when you run on foot.

Running on the elliptical, on the other hand, eliminates the footstrike and pushing off, and provides support to lifting your legs.  

Elliptical running, though different from running, can improve your running performance.  Through elliptical running you can:

-allow your running muscles to gain rest from the impact of running, and yet get a workout at the same time.

-with focus, increase your leg turnover rate.

-increase your comfort (and speed) running up hills.

-allow some leg muscle injuries to heal while maintaining a goodly amount of your running and cardiovascular fitness.

Running on the elliptical is not the same, but it's a great exercise for running, or even by itself!

Regards,

PHil

Answer 4

no, its not because an elliptical has lower impact when your running to make it easier (which is what you observed). running on an elliptical is still a really good workout, and alot of people use that instead of a treadmill when they are injured because of the low impact.