Cardio Machines - Calories Burned

[natasan]

Most of those machines do not have enough input to correctly show the calories burnt. Like someone else posted, it depends on your weight, bodyfat (related to your metabolism), etc.

I usually watch my heart rate, knowing that it's going to take more than 20 minutes to really start burning.

As far as running, I've switched to the stair climbers for about 20 - 25 minutes and then use the tred at a high incline and fast walking pace. Much better than just running for 40 minutes.

 

[bignate73]

so should my primary goal be maintaining a target heart ?

yes. even following a thr, you will hit plateaus. stick to one heart rate for a couple weeks, then up it, then up it a bit more. then change machines or mode of cardio and drop back down to the lower thr again. too many different wasy to vary cardio to keep from plateauing. duration, mode of cardio, number of times per week/day. tons of little things you can do to tweak out a bit more.