Silly question...

[Nyrina4life]

I'm a part of a gym and they have their own logging system when you finish a workout. I've always wondered what qualifies for vigorous on the elliptical?? I'm a big girl and I can push myself to 140 strides while doing the 0 resistance and about 125-130 with the level 8 resistance. I always thought that was pretty vigorous but several people have told me otherwise.

The reason I want to know is I'm trying to figure out my calories burned. I don't think the machine is very accurate and if it is, wow. Disheartening to see such a low number even after 50 minutes. Thanks!

 

[ohMom]

well personally, i think vigorous is different for everyone based on their physical fitness level...for me i think of it as being able to talk, in short bursts, but not wanting too

on your machine, do you enter your weight? i think that can help the 'calories burned' be more accurate

 

[lisah0711]

You might want to check out an online exercise calculator on a site like sparkpeople.com or myfitnesspal.com to help you calculate what you are burning.

The sad fact of the matter is that we don't burn as many calories exercising as we like to think that we do. I weigh a tad over 200 pounds and ran a half marathon last week-end. I was out there for over 4 hours -- how many calories do you think I burned? 2000? 3000? Nope, less than 1700!

The good news is that exercising helps raise your fitness level, makes you stronger, increases your metabolism and helps your body to burn more calories overall, even when you aren't exercising.

Keep up the good work!