How much easier is a cross trainer than running?

[giraffesCanRunA10k]

I know this is a rather random question, but a sort of "lots easier" or "a bit easier" answer will do!

So for example if I did a distance of 10k on a cross trainer, how much easier is that than what running 10k on a treadmill is going to be?

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It's easier, depending on what resistance you put it at, but it is bloody boring.Personally,I think running the only way to go.Do you run insode or outside or both?

ooooh, I always wonder this too....

what would be a good workout on X trainer?

Well it's easier on the knees, that's for sure. I built up a good sweat on the xtrainer and have quite taut arms as well, but I miss the striding out. I watch Hugh Laurie's House while training, otherwise it would be monumentally boring.

Run inside and outside - much prefer outside running, always think I am going to fall off a treadmill! But I have paid up for the gym so figure I should use it, do you know what resistance would be a good level to be closer to running?

It is boring but I can have music on and close my eyes - I can't close my eyes on the treadmill.

Run outside as well but have no idea how to work out distances!

Measure a route out in your car.
I have a 10 k one that i like.What I do is get someone to drop me and then I run home. That gives me a psychological boost.If I ran in a circle, would feel like a hamster.

Good point re eye closing!

I find what has made an exercise routine sustainable for me is doing a variety of stuff-walking, swimming, running, aerobics, other gym stuff.

I am presently struggling with heat and humidity in bangladesh which is a killer-even in a gym with a/c!

Stairmaster thingy good for stamina and calorie burning.
Rowing also good.

Thanks moondog. I might try that - get the bus and run home. I am impressed at you going to the gym in that heat and humidity! Is that where you live? It makes me feel bad for not running today and just doing a 6k walk instead because its sunny and warm

Ah unfortunately I can't row - have a bad wrist injury and am waiting for operation to fix it so rowing is too much strain.

Bangladesh some of the time as dh works here.Much easier to run in the hills of Snowdonia!
A 6 km walk is great though.

You can measure your run routes on line, here map your passion. You need to join the Real Buzz website, but it's a really nice, chatty, helpful site for hobby sporty people.

Back to your original Q though - I find teh cross trainer much easier than running, but prefer running outdoors to anything in the gym.

I set the cross-trainer on random, level 14 and try to vary the speed to get in a bit of interval training - sprint when the resistance is lower and slow down on the climbs.

I attempted the treadmill for the first time around 2 months ago - found it much, much harder

can someone tell me a good weekyl routine on x-trainer to lose post-preg weight and increase fitness levels.... i love running but it's just not realistic atm (new baby)

how many times a week, how long? thanks