Better workout switching it up?

[Anonymous]

Is it better to work out on cardio machines for 45 to 50 mins, or 60-70 mins? Sometimes 60 just feels like too much.

Also, is it better to switch machines? Like maybe do a half hour on on the elliptical, ten minutes on the stair master, and then another ten on the bike? Or is it better to just do one machine for 45 to an hour?

What is a better indicator of you losing weight? Sweating and feeling exhausted, or the calories on the meter when you adjust it for your weight and age?

Thanks!

[WoIIie]

It's always better to switch it up. Don't stay on a machine for more than 45 minutes because by then you've reaped all the benefits and it's not going to benefit your body in any meaningful way. Your body likes to be challenged, hence the whole P90X craze that involves muscle confusion. Split that 60 minute workout into at least 3 machines. 20 minutes on the elliptical, stairmaster, and bike with HIGH INTENSITY will give your body a much better workout than if you jogged on a treadmill for 60 minutes.

[kheserthorpe]

It depends on your goals.

A better indicator of losing weight is your weight going down. The calories on the meter are not very reliable, but generally speaking calories burned relate more to distance traveled then peak intensity.

Doing some resistance work as well can help increase your lean muscle mass which means a higher metabolic rate.

[martyfellow]

Yes, liit the time on these mafhines: they tend to work only limited sets omuscles and you might be risking sprains/strains if you stay on one too long. These are't natural movements and you need to be careful.