Is one better than the other?

OrangeVera

So I've recently restarted my workout/healthier lifestyle after being fed up with how much I've gained since starting college.
What I am wondering is if one form of cardio is better than other? For example, when I go to the gym I go right away to the elliptical and choose a program either for 30 or 60 minutes with a medium to high resistance. Lately for a week or so I've also added some treadmill time into my cardio.
I know that people will say it doesn't matter how fast you're going or how long you go as long as you're not sitting on the couch but with the elliptical is it more leg focused?

melanieliving

the best exercise is the one you actually do.

tulips_and_tea

Best to just keep alternating them. That's what I do: elliptical one day, treadmill the next. The keys are to really push yourself and keep improving, but not so much that you risk an overuse injury. One type over the other really isn't important. Consistency and eating within your calorie range is important.

BicepsAndBows

The best thing to do is to switch it up to keep your body guessing! As a general rule, whichever machine you feel like challenges you more and makes you work and sweat harder is gonna be the one giving you the best workout. That being said, if you do the same exercise day in and day out, your body gets used to it and it's no longer a challenge, or at least not nearly AS challenging, so you burn less doing the same time/resistance. Switch it up! If you go to the gym a couple times a week, pick a different machine each time to keep your body guessing and burning efficiently! If you are someone who goes every day, make a weekly schedule, such as Mondays are treadmill, Tuesdays are strength training, Wednesdays are swimming or cycling or whatever exercise you like and continue on like that each week, picking a different exercise each day!

sofaking6

Between those two, you're looking a dead heat really because there are a lot of options for how you can use them. Ex; you can turn the treadmill speed up high and run fast, but you can also do that on the elliptical by turning the resistance way down. But you can also set the treadmill ramp at an incline which is basically using gravity to create more resistance like you're talking about on the elliptical. Personally I like variety and would do both, but honestly they're really equivalent.

You may find that one or the other is easier on your joints - knees, hips, etc. If you do, then use that one

OrangeVera

Thanks for all the advice y'all!