Expert: Kim Farmer - 5/4/2009

Question
What do you think burns more calories -- 50 minutes on a elliptical machine, interval and gluteal program, or 50 minutes hiking at a good pace on a somewhat hilly terrain that is about 4 miles long?  I am 52, 5'0" and weigh 110 and am also on tamoxifen for breast cancer, so am paranoid about any weight gain.  I would actually like to lose a couple as long as it were in my tummy, which is pouchy from a couple C-sections surgical line straight down.  I also do aerobics and kickboxing as much as possibly, usually once or twice a week if schedule allows.   Thank you!

Answer
Hi Norma-
I'm glad you are continuing your exercise regimen even with your health condition.  As for which activity burns more calories, it really depends on the intensity that you are working at since you can increase or decrease the intensity in both activities.  You should find out what your target heart rate is (someone at the gym should be able to help you here) and then it doesn't matter which activity you do, they will both provide you with cardiovascular gains.  Take into consideration your heart rate (determined by intensity level) and length of time during the activity.  If these factors are relatively equal for both activities then the amount of calories burned should be similar.  The differences will lie in the muscle groups that you are working and the intensity that they are working at.  However, both activities that you mentioned work all of the major muscle groups in your lower body so you should consider varying your routine by utilizing both activities on different days of the week.

I hope this helps, thanks for the question!

Kim Farmer
ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
www.MileHighFitness.com
www.teambeachbody.com/coachfarmer