Running vs. Jumprope vs. Eliptical

[danfaggella]

I wonder which of these I should do to increase my endurence and work on my legs a bit.

Running the classic endurence test, and it is kinda cool when you are running a trail or something, but otherwise IMO it is boring, high impact (relatively) and you have to be outside (I live in New England and our weather blows right now).

Jumping rope is really fun in my oppinion, and you can add in your own little tricks and style to it so that you don;t get bored and you look cool at the gym (eh... ). Also, you can jump rope inside while watching a movie or something, which is fantastic.

Elipticals are awsome as well, though I don't own one, the university gym has many and I like to get on them when I'm down there. It is a lot easier on my legs (low impact) and you cna even get your whole body into it with those arm handle things. I can alos prop a book in front of my while I am on an eliptical, just yesterday I was on one and read "Best Judo" and I thought how great the mechine was.

Anywho, I was wondering what different muscles these mechines work, what ones are "best" for what, what ones are highest/lowest impact, ect....

Thanks a lot.

[eXcessiveForce]

I like them all.

elips are more inefficient (thus better) than treadmill running. But there is much more to running than just Long slow distance.


I would break it up and do all of them from time to time.

[blitz]

Elipticals are awsome as well, though I don't own one, the university gym has many and I like to get on them when I'm down there. It is a lot easier on my legs (low impact) and you cna even get your whole body into it with those arm handle things. I can alos prop a book in front of my while I am on an eliptical, just yesterday I was on one and read "Best Judo" and I thought how great the mechine was.

You can increase the tension which makes it high impact... Most good elipticals have them.

[Sasquatch]

For me, running is the best cardio there. I've been skipping a lot, and it has increased my calf muscles a ton, and overall balance, the cardio is just a little lacking. Don't get me wrong, I love jumping rope, but you have to run, do HIIT if you don't like long distance....

[THT]

the elliptical made me feels less flexable. I was talking with another guy at our gym and he said he believs the have a negative impact on flexabilty also. All anecdotal, I know, but this is what we've found.

[danfaggella]

Why is that? Why wouldn't running have a negative effect on flexibility? I can't think of a reason why elipticals would have such an effect, I sure hope they don't. I've been trying to get more flexible. How often and how many days a week should I stretch out with splits and toe-touching? (Someone who knows about this stuff please)

[eXcessiveForce]

Running shortens tightens hamstrings, probably the same as elipticals.

stretch after your workout and you will be fine.

[Tom Yum]

Thoughts on those 3

Running:

Pros:

- Best excercise you can do for cardiovascular stamina and muscular endurance
- Improves your energy level at rest.
- Clears your mind
- You can run according to your need: Sprints (speed/leg power) / jog (stamina/endurance)
- Cheap - Just get some good running shoes

Cons

- High impact. Hard on the ankles & knees.
- Injury prone.
- Best if you get proper technique

Jump Rope:

Pros:

- Decent full body workout: shoulders, traps, biceps, lower quads and calves
- Excellent cardio workout.
- You can adjust to your needs
- Cheap: Ropes are usually less than $20.
- You develop decent hand/leg coordination for footwork and timing - great for MA's.
- Compact: Easy to travel with.

Cons:

- Impact
- Takes time to learn rhythm
- Can't do indoors unless roof is higher than 10 feet.

Elliptical

Pros

- Very low impact: Great for recovery
- Digital readouts - mileage/pace/heart work
- Great for cardiovascular stamina.
- Works more muscles than rope or running (maybe not combined though)

Cons

- Mimmicks running.
- Expensive
- Stuck indoors - stale air.
- You can't take the machine around - its stationary.

[THT]

Why is that? Why wouldn't running have a negative effect on flexibility? I can't think of a reason why elipticals would have such an effect, I sure hope they don't. I've been trying to get more flexible. How often and how many days a week should I stretch out with splits and toe-touching? (Someone who knows about this stuff please)

The running seems to help me with the flexability. I've noticed my stride get longer and longer as my running has progressed and after a run am quite limber. After the elliptical I feel tight and awkward. Both warm up the muscles more than enough. Maybe because the length of the "stride" is set and on a fixed path? I wonder if perhaps it is similar to the old machines vs. free weights sort of arguments. Or Maybe that's just how it its for me and I'm one of like thirty in the world who are like that.

[danfaggella]

Thanks for those last posts thats good stuff. Its a good thing that I can watch TV while jumping rope in my dorm, and I can read while I'm on the eliptical. I'll mix it up with some good solid stretches afterwards, sound good?