Walking vs. recumbent eliptical

[luanne613]

I've been working out in a health club for a few months now and one of the things I use is called a Sci-Fit machine. It's basically a recumbent elliptical. I use this because I have back issues and can do more on it than a regular one or treadmill. Today I decided to see how my back is doing (losing weight and chiropractor have helped a LOT!) so I walked the track. I''m happy to say I was able to do over a mile and I walked for 25 minutes at a moderate pace...this is huge for me. Anyway, I just compared my walking to my recumbent elliptical stats and although the walking didn't raise my heart quite as much it did basically burn the same calories. Am I to assume that walking is just as good?

[emili]

hi @luanne613 and welcome to the community! I have never seen one or used one, but I imagine it is a sitting down elliptical, similar to a bike just a different pedal motion? The answer would depend on better for what? Weight loss, strength? Depending on how fast you peddle  would depend how much you are burning. But you are only really using your legs. Walking, you are using your body to propel forward and your legs. So if you are thinking calorie burn, it would probably be the same if you are doing a moderate walk and a slightly faster pedal. If you are looking at strength, I would the think the elliptical depending on your resistance setting. Either way you are getting a workout.. in my opinion do both but on alternate days to give your back and feet a break...

[luanne613]

Very good idea emili! You're right, it is like a seated bike with the elliptical motion on legs but it also has handles (like poles) that move too so you're moving everything. I think I get a better cardio work out on that than walking though. I'm just so happy that I can now walk for more than 10 minutes with out extreme pain. It's nice to be able to add something new to my work out!