Elliptical vs. Stationary Bike: Which One Burns Calories and Muscle Less?

[Frank2500]

Talked to a body builder-type fellow at my gym yesterday about cardio and he told me that if I'm very serious about bulking up and maintaining my build, I should do minimal cardio. He also told me that I should avoid the elliptical and do the stationary bike or treadmill instead because the elliptical burns way too much calories. My question then is, does the stationary bike do as good enough a job as the elliptical as far as raising up your heart rate to the appropriate level? And between the elliptical and the stationary bike, which of them burns muscle and calories less? I really don't have much of any body fat at all, so my goal isn't to be losing a whole lot of whatever little calories in my body.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Talked to a body builder-type fellow at my gym yesterday about cardio and he told me that if I'm very serious about bulking up and maintaining my build, I should do minimal cardio. He also told me that I should avoid the elliptical and do the stationary bike or treadmill instead because the elliptical burns way too much calories. My question then is, does the stationary bike do as good enough a job as the elliptical as far as raising up your heart rate to the appropriate level? And between the elliptical and the stationary bike, which of them burns muscle and calories less? I really don't have much of any body fat at all, so my goal isn't to be losing a whole lot of whatever little calories in my body.

Do any of these bodybuilders ever talk about nutrition when they talk about bulking? Most post workout nutrition will not only replenish what's burned but actually exceed it.

I see people who are trying to lose weight and do tons of time on the bike but can't seem to lose any weight. I look at what they are drinking and its a sports drink that high in calories or they drink a post exercise protein drink with basically negates the calories that they've burned during exercise.

If you are eating correctly you would need to do ridiculous amounts of cardio to burn negate your caloric intake and cannibalize your muscle tissue. Also, doesn't having a good cardiovascular system allow you to put forth more effort during resistance training?

 

[Frank2500]

Re:

Interesting insight there, Francisco. I just don't want to lose the bulk I've worked so hard to develop for two years. Unfortunately as well, I'm kinda really broke too, and when you're broke, you can't eat as well as you should becasue your budget is tight and you don't have much money at all.

 

[mrRuckus]

There are some huge mofos that do cardio everyday and if they didn't they'd be both huge mofos and fat asses.

I look at what they are drinking and its a sports drink that high in calories or they drink a post exercise protein drink with basically negates the calories that they've burned during exercise.

Which is fine if you take the calories into consideration with the rest of the diet. But hey who has time to think about the health of your body when reality tv is coming on?

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Interesting insight there, Francisco. I just don't want to lose the bulk I've worked so hard to develop for two years. Unfortunately as well, I'm kinda really broke too, and when you're broke, you can't eat as well as you should becasue your budget is tight and you don't have much money at all.

I understand your concern, your challenge is to continue taking in the right nutrients. You'd be surprised at how well the right kind of food can help you sustain and grow even with cardio, as long as it's done correctly.
Eating the right complex carbs, non-hydrogenated fats and protein will allow you to keep building your mass with resistance training and cardio.

 

[Ricky]

I read something that due to the angle of the elliptical climber pedals, it may cause more strain on knees, ankles and hips than previously thought.

In light of this perhaps the treadmill is better. Especially if you do intervals.

 

[spesmilitis]

That bodybuilder doesn't know what he's talking about. Bulking is more dependent on calories consumed than caloric balance, assuming that your cardio is not so intense that it interferes with your recovery.

Doing cardio right will turn you into a food processing machine and it will also help out with your recovery and workout stamina.

This is completely out of my ass, but the elliptical and treadmill are better than bikes because you have to sit down for the bike. Sitting down is bad for your lower back and also turns off enzymes in your responsible for burning calories and preventing disease. I'm not sure if this applied to exercise while sitting though.

Running is tough on the knees, so I prefer elliptical over treadmill

Again, the treadmill, bike, elliptical stuff is just what makes sense to me, I haven't looked into it.

 

[Andromax]

I read something that due to the angle of the elliptical climber pedals, it may cause more strain on knees, ankles and hips than previously thought.

In light of this perhaps the treadmill is better. Especially if you do intervals.

Not for me. I live in Alaska, so I run outside all summer. Never have a problem.
Started putting 4-5 miles on the treadmill over 45 minutes when the snow hit this winter and I got some wierd injury to my knee, forget what its called but it hurt like hell to walk on. Felt like tendonitis but its not that exactly. Dr. said its common in runners. Anyways after a week of rest I have been doing the elliptical 30 - 45 mins about 4 times a week high intensity since then for about a month, with absolutely no strain or pain, and my knee feels 100% again.

On a side note, I've put on like 10 lbs in the same time frame with the help of creatine. Probably a lot of water, but a bit of quality muscle regardless cause my abs still look dern good.

I agree with what fransico says totally in that you can get away with a moderate amount of cardio during bulking if you do the obvious thing of making sure you are eating enough and lifting heavy weight regularly.

Also rice and beans is dirt cheap, and combined they are very rich in protein, excellent source of carbs, and have like all the essential aminos.

Just make sure you get the low sodium beans if you get them canned, too much salt will make you bloat!!