Chicago Training Core - Personal Trainer

Recently I was asked which is better, the Elliptical or the Treadmill? This is a question that has been asked for years, and while the consensus has been that the Treadmill gives you a better workout because you are working harder, that is true. You are working harder! In April 2006 clinical studies concluded that the human body burned the same amount of calories on the Elliptical as the Treadmill. How can it be? The laws of Physics. Work equals force times distance, and if you are like most when you run you may not be the most efficient you can be in your effort. The term “exercise economy” in the exercise world means minimizing wasted movement. You may be wondering how can that be done? After all I’m running right?

Unless you are an accomplished runner or professional athlete you may not know what wasted movement is, wasted movement while running happens three ways, The first is the long stride. The longer your stride is the more work you are doing, to achieve your goal. The second is stride frequency, slower leg movement tends to go hand in hand with longer strides. Third is bouncing or hopping while running. Each of these habits is at an energy cost. To reduce this effect try these tips on your next run. First try to take shorter steps and increase the frequency of your stride {faster steps}. At first it will feel like you are doing more work, and at times you will forget the technique, so with that in mind start out in intervals of maybe 2 minutes or as long as you can then go back to your regular pace. Remember work equals force times distance, shorter steps means less work. Next, try not to bounce. The best way is to pretend you have a book on your head that you don’t want to fall off, you might even picture a speed walker in your mind, you know the way some of them look like they’re gliding across the ground with little impact. Again try to maintain that posture for 2 minutes or as long as you can before giving in to the temptation of bouncing.

On the other hand, if you are not a Marathon runner or training for a running event, or if you have Back, Hip, Knee, or Ankle issues then the Elliptical machine may be the answer for you. Training on a Elliptical can be easier on the joints because of the fluid motion, your body stays in contact with the apparatus greatly reducing the jarring effects of impact The impact on your joints from the pounding of running can be 4 or 5 times greater than your body weight, meaning a 130lb person will experience forces up to 650lbs, jolting through their body! You also have the benefit of multi-joint exercise just like running. And if you’re in the market for purchasing a Treadmill or Eliptical Machine most Ellipticals are cheaper!

So there you have it. Back to square one, but at least now you can make a better informed decision on which is better. The Elliptical Machine or the Treadmill.

For exercise ideas visit www.chicagotrainingcore.com go to ‘Client sign in’ & click the link under “enter site”

If you are considering hiring a private personal fitness trainer in the Chicago, Illinois area, contact us at 1.773.593.6846.

Before you begin a running regiment know the risks; many people experience a sleuth of problems such as shortened Lateral leg muscles, often referred to as the TFL {Tensor Fasciae Latae} and the “IT Band” {Iliotibial Band} these muscles often shorten as all muscles do that are not stretched properly.

If the problem is not addressed it can lead to a more painful problem with the Patella or Kneecap. The “Patella Tendon” runs vertically over the kneecap and can be pulled laterally across the knee causing considerable pain; runners should use a “Foam Roller ” to help stretch the outside of the leg to help loosen those muscles.

Runners also often complain about “Shin Splints” where there is actually not a splintered shinbone that causes the pain, but rather the Anterior Tibialis that is usually the culprit. A very small muscle that runs along the front of the leg just beneath the Knee that is easily fatigued, causing the sensation that the Shins are splintered; try doing seated “Toe Taps” to build the muscle.

Unless you have a more serious problem this should help with the pain and strengthen the muscle!

If you are considering hiring a private personal fitness trainer in the Chicago, Illinois area, contact us at 1.773.593.6846.