elliptical trainer conversion

Every elliptical is calibrated differently. The easiest conversion is time at an effort. My easy days are usually around 80 minutes with an average HR around 120. So if I do 80 minutes on the elliptical (or in the pool) with an avg. HR around 120, then I count them as equivalent.

The ellitpical I have used, I can't keep my HR that low and am about fried after 80 minutes and it doesn't say I go near as far as running. I set the resistance so it has the resistance feel of running and enough incline so I don't have to turnover at an un-natural stride rate to keep my HR up. This has always worked well for me.

good info on this thread.

What kind of machine has worked best for you?

OldSchooler wrote:

I use the Precor EFX 546 model.

Hey OldSchooler, I used to swear by the precor crossramp models, but lately I've discovered the Cybex arc trainer at my gym. It uses a much longer stride and you can utilize more hip extension. If you have access to one I highly recommend it. After working out on one of those, running on the precor will feel like shuffling. You will find maintaining high cadences on the Cybex to be quite a bit more difficult. Actually, 180 spm is it's rated max and the machine will apply an auto-brake at a stride rate any faster.

Don't go by what the machine says. Just try to track your heart rate.

That being said, Daniels stated to equate 2/3 of your elliptical time to running. For example, if you used the elliptical for 60 minutes that would be similar to a 40 minute run.

Calorie wise I have found this conversion to be accurate.

I use the PreCor a lot. I am on the elipitical more than running it seems. I usually do both each day, but when I only do one workout it is on the elipitical. My own estimated conversion is 10 min of training on the elipitical is equaul to one mile. But it all about time on your feet as you get older.

shoe guy wrote:

Don't go by what the machine says. Just try to track your heart rate.

That being said, Daniels stated to equate 2/3 of your elliptical time to running. For example, if you used the elliptical for 60 minutes that would be similar to a 40 minute run.

tracking HR is what ive been trying to do. so if my max is ~190 i can get it up around 170s for harder efforts?

I can go bewteen 60 and 70 rpm dude and I can run a 5.20 mile. No way you can do 180 rpm unless you are a car motor.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

...and at least 180 rpm or whatever they call it.

Yes and no. You can achieve your running Max RUNNING HR easier (if at all and only with all out efforts!l) on an elliptical than you can on, say, a bike. Max run HR on a bike may be as much as 12% less. You're Max HR on an elliptical and a bike and swimming and a stepper are totally different, and LESS than what you can achieve with running.

Iv'e had a lot of injuries that kept me from running over the years but, if you stick to a serious cross training program for the duration, you can come out of it with very little loss of endurance, some loss of turnover, but a whole lot gained in perseverance seeing it all through. Good F'n" luck!!

I wouldn't worry about conversion, especially if your goal is recovery or cross training.

I would just focus on spending x amount of time at x heart rate.