Best for losing weight...

[kristib135]

I'm just curious if there is one machine at the gym that is better for weight-loss then others. I usually do around 20 minutes on any one machine. Machines include treadmills, eliptical, bike, and the stairmaster. I am in pretty good shape. I know this is a pretty general question, and you may not have enough information, but I was just curious. Thanks.

 

[sirant]

Best machine/exercise

Thats easy.

The one you like the most and can use without hating it. Seems like an overly simple answer, and really it is. Some people hate elipticals and can't get their head around the circular motion so even if that burned more calories per hour than sitting on a spin bike is a person never used it it would be a poor choice. Some people like to bike, some run while others love the stairmaster with a passion. Personally I don't think the calories per hour is as important as others do. The secret I think is to find what you like and what will keep you coming back for more on a regular if not daily basis. I have never tried elipticals before but they look fun. Stair climbers make no sense to me since I live in a building with no elevators so I can just walk up and down to the 8th floor and back 10 times for a killer workout. My favorite when I would go to the gym in the past was recumbent spin bikes because I was really too big to feel comfortable running on the treadmill or sitting on a smaller upright bike seat. Plus it was one of the bikes that had the fan built in to the wheel so when you pedalled you got air blown at you.

For the record, now I dont use any machines in the gym or even go to the gym regularly at all. I run and walk outside and use freeweights and my spin bike at home.

For the moment I am going to take Steve and Leighs excellent advice and worry less about building muscle and more about losing fat, since the two dont really go hand in hand. Once my fat is in check, then I will return to the gym and try to look like an older version of Steve.....

sirant

 

[somethingnew987]

That is some good advice Sirant. Lately I have been trying to use the elliptical because it burns more calories than walking, but I absolutely HATE the thing lol. My ideal exercise is swimming, but I wont start that until I go home for the summer and can go to a gym where I dont know anyone, therefore am willing to get in a swimsuit lol. So for now I think I am going to just stick to walking and work on increasing my speed.

 

[sirant]

haha! Word up!

That is some good advice Sirant. Lately I have been trying to use the elliptical because it burns more calories than walking, but I absolutely HATE the thing lol. My ideal exercise is swimming, but I wont start that until I go home for the summer and can go to a gym where I dont know anyone, therefore am willing to get in a swimsuit lol. So for now I think I am going to just stick to walking and work on increasing my speed.

I know allllllll about the pool! I LOVE swimming and the complex I live in has a great 50 meter pool right outside my door. The past 3 years I have gone swimming there exactly 0 times. Mostly due to being embarassed about my body and the fact it would be all my neighbors watching. Now as winter is ending and the pool is going to open again soon, I plan on going every morning I can get up early enough for a good hearty swim before work. I am not skinny yet, but I am comfortable enough with my progress that I dont give a rats butt what my neighbors think.... (soon enough it will be abject jealousy!)

As for walking, hey, I love walking and it made the difference for me. First I started small, 15 minutes 3X a week, then worked my way up to 1:10 hour of walking home 5km from work everyday. Then it started getting faster and faster till it was 45 minutes. It has since progressed into running home 5km in 30 minutes everyday. So keep on walking till the pool is an option, and what the heck, its so good for ya, might as well keep walking then too!!

sirant