Does running on an elliptical burn more fat or muscle?

danman77220 · 09-19-2006, 03:40 AM

Recently I've been lifting weights at school and my friends house, and I'm rquickly gaining muscle mass. I'm liking it a lot and am defeniately going to continue lifting weights for a long time... however I am wanting to lose some more fat. I say more because since last October I have lost over 60 pounds by using an elliptical trainer and abstaining from almost all junk foods and many processed foods. Even though I am overjoyed with the change, I still have a bit of a gut and some fat on me. I stopped using the elliptical trainer about 3 months ago, but would like to start using it again in order to get rid of this excess fat. All I want is a six pack! :P I'm worried though that running on the elliptical and burning that many calories would interfere with my muscle gain... is this so? Thanks, everyone.

**DarkFalcon** · 09-19-2006, 05:59 AM

Unfortunately the biggest myth out there is that you can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. OK not a myth but a common misconception that it's easy to do when in fact it's almost impossible without illegal drugs. Any sucessful BB you see goes through series of bulk's and cut's. Once you have a great build yes you can do slow bulk's or cut's and maintain your size but not many guys are at a level where they feel little change is needed. You pick one or the other but not both.

**powerman2000** · 09-19-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFalcon

You pick one or the other but not both.

With the exception of the obese folks who actually do lose fat and gain muscle. But for the rest of us, you are 100% correct DF.

**Jayhawkk** · 09-19-2006, 12:18 PM

Body composition chages are very possible but take much longer and much more dedication and monitoring which is why most choose to do one then the other but it's very possible.

Your calorie expenditure along with the intensity of your cardio(making this very generic and simple) will decide how this works. Fat losss is though lower intensity longer duration cardio although people have great loss trhough HIIT too. Making sure you don't do too much cardio as well as making sure you are taking in the right amount of calories is key.

Throwing in cardio a couple times a week will not hinder your muscle gain. Plus it has many positive side effects of heart and cardiovascular health.

**madman911** · 09-19-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Body composition chages are very possible but take much longer and much more dedication and monitoring which is why most choose to do one then the other but it's very possible.

I'd disagree that it is the dedication and monitoring that steers people away from trying to do a natural recomp. Bodybuilder's go through bulking and cutting cycles because it is the most effective way to make significant changes to your body in the shortest period of time. If you bulk for 6 months and cut for 4, in the end, you will be bigger and leaner than if you attempted a 10 month recomp.

**A.FreeRadical** · 09-19-2006, 01:58 PM

Generally, you cannot gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. It is possible to lose fat one day by having a caloric deficit and gaining muscle on another day by having a caloric surplus (plus lifting). Do a google search on "zigzag diet" to see how and why this can work. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are playing around with the last 10-20 lbs of fat loss. Otherwise, cutting and bulking are much more effective.

*

**romanaz** · 09-19-2006, 04:07 PM

I don't know, I've been cutting muscle down and gaining a significant amount of muscle in the last 6 months. Sure its not a ton of fat loss, but still its about 3% down on the BF scale. I think you should always be doing cardio. Try some HIIT, its been working for me lately

and run man, running is better

**DJSTARER** · 09-20-2006, 01:54 AM

this could go on forever, but if you are truly dedicated, there are ways to do it naturally and efficiently. It requires COPIUS amounts of clean food and very frequent short bouts of cardio.

But forget I said anything. Just keep your cardio short and fasted, or long and fed. Also, make sure your routine is solid enough to keep your body growing (or wanting to).

**Jayhawkk** · 09-20-2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Bodybuilder's go through bulking and cutting cycles because it is the most effective way to make significant changes to your body in the shortest period of time. If you bulk for 6 months and cut for 4, in the end, you will be bigger and leaner than if you attempted a 10 month recomp.

Pro bodybuilders do this under a whole other set of rules than your average high school/college kid. One they are genetically gifted in most cases and even the natural ones, depending on the agency allows use of igf, insulin etc.

Slower and more consistant gains are also the ones that will last the longest for your average person. The quicker you gain or lose the quicker the reverse happens as well.(or can)

We can agree to disagree i guess but regardless of which method you choose, adding cardio as long as it isn't going overboard is very healthy. I know a lot big lifters who can throw some weight but they are out of breath getting to their car. Life is about moderation if you're looking to make it through the long haul.

**DarkFalcon** · 09-20-2006, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Pro bodybuilders do this under a whole other set of rules than your average high school/college kid. One they are genetically gifted in most cases and even the natural ones, depending on the agency allows use of igf, insulin etc.

Slower and more consistant gains are also the ones that will last the longest for your average person. The quicker you gain or lose the quicker the reverse happens as well.(or can)

We can agree to disagree i guess but regardless of which method you choose, adding cardio as long as it isn't going overboard is very healthy. I know a lot big lifters who can throw some weight but they are out of breath getting to their car. Life is about moderation if you're looking to make it through the long haul.

Adding in a moderate amount of cardio is never a bad thing.

**Jayhawkk** · 09-20-2006, 03:08 AM

Did this thread just turn sexual?

**DarkFalcon** · 09-20-2006, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Did this thread just turn sexual?

lol..I like ya bro but not that much.

**Jayhawkk** · 09-20-2006, 03:11 AM

I was just wondering if I had to break out the webcam and the deliverance costum again..

**DarkFalcon** · 09-20-2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

I was just wondering if I had to break out the webcam and the deliverance costum again..

LMAO!

Maybe if Skelooth see's this.

09-19-2006, 03:40 AM	#1
danman77220 Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,021 Recipes: 1 Rep Power: 50	Does running on an elliptical burn more fat or muscle? Recently I've been lifting weights at school and my friends house, and I'm rquickly gaining muscle mass. I'm liking it a lot and am defeniately going to continue lifting weights for a long time... however I am wanting to lose some more fat. I say more because since last October I have lost over 60 pounds by using an elliptical trainer and abstaining from almost all junk foods and many processed foods. Even though I am overjoyed with the change, I still have a bit of a gut and some fat on me. I stopped using the elliptical trainer about 3 months ago, but would like to start using it again in order to get rid of this excess fat. All I want is a six pack! :P I'm worried though that running on the elliptical and burning that many calories would interfere with my muscle gain... is this so? Thanks, everyone.

09-19-2006, 12:18 PM	#4
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,106 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Body composition chages are very possible but take much longer and much more dedication and monitoring which is why most choose to do one then the other but it's very possible. Your calorie expenditure along with the intensity of your cardio(making this very generic and simple) will decide how this works. Fat losss is though lower intensity longer duration cardio although people have great loss trhough HIIT too. Making sure you don't do too much cardio as well as making sure you are taking in the right amount of calories is key. Throwing in cardio a couple times a week will not hinder your muscle gain. Plus it has many positive side effects of heart and cardiovascular health. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

09-19-2006, 01:58 PM	#6
A.FreeRadical the Epicurean Bodybuilder Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,245 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 58	Generally, you cannot gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. It is possible to lose fat one day by having a caloric deficit and gaining muscle on another day by having a caloric surplus (plus lifting). Do a google search on "zigzag diet" to see how and why this can work. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are playing around with the last 10-20 lbs of fat loss. Otherwise, cutting and bulking are much more effective. * __________________ "Is it going to be the red pill or the blue pill, Neo? The red pill will answer the question 'What is the Matrix?' Choose carefully. Remember, all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more." Ron Paul for President, 2008 A.FreeRadical ...the Epicurean bodybuilder Height: 5'9", Age: 62, My last high on 2/1/2006 was 196 lbs. My last low on 8/08/2006 was 167.5 lbs. Cutting until I am lean Starting weight: 190 lbs. bodyfat: 19.7% November 27th: 183 lbs. bodyfat: 18.3% bodyfat Goal Weight: 176 lbs with no more than 10% bodyfat My recipe collection

09-20-2006, 01:54 AM	#8
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 4,048 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 114	this could go on forever, but if you are truly dedicated, there are ways to do it naturally and efficiently. It requires COPIUS amounts of clean food and very frequent short bouts of cardio. But forget I said anything. Just keep your cardio short and fasted, or long and fed. Also, make sure your routine is solid enough to keep your body growing (or wanting to). __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

09-20-2006, 03:08 AM	#11
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,106 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Did this thread just turn sexual? __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

09-19-2006, 05:59 AM	#2
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 11,511 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 299	Unfortunately the biggest myth out there is that you can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. OK not a myth but a common misconception that it's easy to do when in fact it's almost impossible without illegal drugs. Any sucessful BB you see goes through series of bulk's and cut's. Once you have a great build yes you can do slow bulk's or cut's and maintain your size but not many guys are at a level where they feel little change is needed. You pick one or the other but not both.

09-20-2006, 03:11 AM	#13
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,106 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	I was just wondering if I had to break out the webcam and the deliverance costum again.. __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

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