Ask the Trainer

Q: What’s the best piece of cardio equipment for burning the fat on the butt and legs, the elliptical or the treadmill?

A: First you must understand that you cannot spot reduce. There is no way for you to choose where your body will burn the fat. Both pieces of equipment are great for burning fat, but you must realize it is intensity that makes the difference. Using an elliptical takes some stress off joints that can occur with the high impact from most treadmills. That does not mean that a treadmill is a substandard piece of equipment. In fact most modern treadmills are made with a floating floor that allows a lot of the impact to be absorbed by the running track surface rather then the joints in the knees and ankles. Research shows that in order to burn stubborn fat you must engage in high intensity exercise. When using a treadmill you can increase the intensity by adjusting the incline rather than just the speed. I recommend that you do interval training when using either the treadmill or the elliptical. This is done by increasing your speed and/or incline and maintaining that pace for a short period of time, followed by a recovery period, you can spread this out over the length of time that you are planning on doing your cardio. It is more important that you focus on a short high intensity workout rather than a long low intensity workout. Remember to always consult your doctor before you start any new exercise program, and always remember that the difference-maker is intensity.
 

This is part of the online edition of Northern Michigan Life.

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