Elliptical vs. Treadmill- What's the Difference?

Elliptical vs

Elliptical vs. Treadmill- What's the Difference?

Elliptical trainers were designed to give you a similar work out that a treadmill would give you, but with low impact motions that are better for chronic joint aches and pains. So which one is better for your fitness goals and body? Take an in depth look at the elliptical vs. treadmill.

Elliptical Machines

Most are cross trainers with upper body arms attached

Low impact workout is perfect for joint pain and knee problems

Can burn the same amount of calories in less time because of the cross training arms

Takes up less space than treadmills

Costs less on average

The work out is easier to sustain for longer periods of time

Ellipticals have become very popular because they appear to give an easier work out. Its actually not uncommon to work too much on an elliptical because you are not tired so you may not realize how much energy you have actually exerted.

If you have any kind of knee, back or joint problems an elliptical should be your #1 choice. The low impact work out allows you to get in a good exercise session with out the aches and pains you would get after a treadmill work out.

Treadmill

Much better fit for serious runners

Treadmills force you to push a bit more than ellipticals

You can run faster than on ellipticals

Improves bone density (your body weight is the resistance)

They don't have the upper body handle bars, but the hand bar promotes proper back alignment and posture

Treadmills have been around a lot longer than elliptal cross trainers so much more is known about them. They have always been a popular machine for cardio exercise and athletic training as I suspect they always will be.

There is nothing at all wrong with working out with an elliptical vs. treadmill or the other way around. Your workout really depends on several factors including the size of the stride and the difficulty settings. A cheap treadmill may offer a very short belt which does not give you the maximum benefits of burning calories. A longer stride means you burn more calories with every movement.

Similarly, how do you work out? Do you take it easy on yourself or do you push way out of your comfort zone? Theres no right or wrong answer as everyone has different health goals.

Having said that, you can burn the same amount of calories and get in a good work out on either machine depending on how hard you want to push yourself. Treadmills naturally go a bit faster the more you run on them which automatically pushes you to keep up with the pace or get off. However people say that they can work out for longer periods of time with an elliptical because it doesn't make you get fatigued as quickly as a treadmill.

If you are debating about an elliptical vs. treadmill you have to evaluate your fitness goals. Are you looking for an intense workout to get your blood flowing or more of a low impact cardio exercise? You can burn the same amount of calories on either machine depending on your intensity, but now you need to decide what suits you better as a piece of workout equipment.

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