Cardio and how it hits your body

by: DannyStevens - June 24th, 2008

People always ask what types of cardio will be good for reaching their goals. The answer really is pretty simple, your heart does not know the difference. 130 beats per minute on the treadmill is the same as 130 beats per minute on the bike. Your body and mind however do know the difference between sweating off pounds on the stair-master and pedaling away fat on the bike.

In regards to one's mind, I always tell them to do what they like. If they hate the treadmill, then do something else. If your cardiovascular system is your priority then it doesn't matter how you do it. One machine might get your heart rate up faster than the other but once you're in your zone, it's all the same. Different cardio machines will however hit your body and muscles differently. People with knee issues need to be especially careful on certain machines.

Stair-master- This is the worse on the knees and if you think about it, it makes sense. All the force is driving right into the knees and putting them through constant pounding. If you have knee issues, people beware....

Treadmill (running & walking)- A little easier on the knees than the stair-master but you're still stressing them, especially if you are running. Runners are notorious for developing knee issues.

Bike or cycling- Much easier than the two above as the pounding on knees is lessened. But, you still are putting force into them as you drive the pedal down. Elite level cyclists are exposed to knees issues as they put their legs/knees through a heavy workload with the constant sprinting, hill climbing and general high RPM's/Speeds. For most people however, they usually find the bike a relief on their knees.

Elliptical/cross-trainer- The easier if not the easiest on the knees. The elliptical is zero impact and the stress is no longer focused on the sensitive area of the knee.

So, in conclusion, all types of cardio can essentially do the same thing in regards to your heart rate. It's up to your mind and body to decide what type is best for you.

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