Eliptical Vs Treadmill
JnineGains
Posts: 136 Member
Opinions?
0
Replies
-
You're much less likely to get hurt falling off of an elliptical.3
-
Depends on your goals and which you enjoy more, I would think.
I'm a runner, so I prefer a treadmill because then I can still run when it's rainy or icy outside. Plus I find the elliptical to be incredibly dull.3 -
An elliptical is low stress. A treadmill is more like running than an elliptical. Running outside is more work than running on a treadmill.4
-
For me personally, I'm not a big stationary cardio guy...that said, my personal preference has always been to use or do something that translates to something else...I've never really been able to figure out exactly what the elliptical would translate to...it wouldn't make me a better runner or cyclists, etc...it doesn't translate to any real life movement that I can think of.
As far as getting a cardiovascular workout in, you can get a good workout with either...it will come down to duration and intensity of the work, not the machine.
A lot of people like the elliptical because it is fairly low impact compared to running on a treadmill which is lower impact than running on the road. The elliptical makes my feet fall to sleep though after about 20 minutes so I would never get a long enough session in anyway.5 -
I prefer the elliptical because I don't like running and the elliptical is less impact. I think it's all in what you prefer.4
-
They're both mind numbing but I definitely prefer the treadmill over the elliptical.
But I'm like cwolfman13, I run and bike and the treadmill is a better match for those two.
I really do hate the elliptical...2 -
Yes. Preference is all that matters here. One or the other, or both, or neither.
I'm OK with the treadmill. I'm super awkward on the elliptical. I can read on the stationary bike. I really enjoy the rowing machine. So pretty much anything BUT the elliptical.
2 -
I find with the elliptical I can do way more work and go for a long amount of time. With the treadmill, I tired very easily. As long as you're getting your heart rate up, I don't think it matters.1
-
TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.4 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »For me personally, I'm not a big stationary cardio guy...that said, my personal preference has always been to use or do something that translates to something else...I've never really been able to figure out exactly what the elliptical would translate to...it wouldn't make me a better runner or cyclists, etc...it doesn't translate to any real life movement that I can think of.
As far as getting a cardiovascular workout in, you can get a good workout with either...it will come down to duration and intensity of the work, not the machine.
A lot of people like the elliptical because it is fairly low impact compared to running on a treadmill which is lower impact than running on the road. The elliptical makes my feet fall to sleep though after about 20 minutes so I would never get a long enough session in anyway.
^ This, anything that translates to "real world" would take the cake for me, unless you are doing it as a recovery from running (active rest day). Also, many ellipticals have a fixed plane of motion, which may not be the way most peoples' bodies move. Because it isn't a natural motion, there is also a chance for injury even though it is lower impact, as your body will be doing an unnatural movement that may not fit how your body moves.1 -
Yes. Preference is all that matters here. One or the other, or both, or neither.
I'm OK with the treadmill. I'm super awkward on the elliptical. I can read on the stationary bike. I really enjoy the rowing machine. So pretty much anything BUT the elliptical.
If your only goal is weight loss it is preference. If you want to improve running or for sport a treadmill will be much much better.1 -
Yes. Preference is all that matters here. One or the other, or both, or neither.
I'm OK with the treadmill. I'm super awkward on the elliptical. I can read on the stationary bike. I really enjoy the rowing machine. So pretty much anything BUT the elliptical.
If your only goal is weight loss it is preference. If you want to improve running or for sport a treadmill will be much much better.
Of course. That wasn't the question asked.
0 -
stanmann571 wrote: »You're much less likely to get hurt falling off of an elliptical.
Hahahahha0 -
TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.
I'm a guy and prefer the elliptical because I can get greater intensity with lower stress on my joints.5 -
I was trying the treadmill at first but i do like the elliptical more and I can go longer on it1
-
Yes. Preference is all that matters here. One or the other, or both, or neither.
I'm OK with the treadmill. I'm super awkward on the elliptical. I can read on the stationary bike. I really enjoy the rowing machine. So pretty much anything BUT the elliptical.
If your only goal is weight loss it is preference. If you want to improve running or for sport a treadmill will be much much better.
Of course. That wasn't the question asked.
She said one vs. the other... so yes, she did ask, just not directly.0 -
I do the elliptical because it is low impact. I have had a couple back surgeries and I can't take the pounding of running on the treadmill for very long. I can go an hour on the elliptical at a pretty fast clip. Yes my feet start to ache and go to sleep but I can get a good cardio in.3
-
stanmann571 wrote: »TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.
I'm a guy and prefer the elliptical because I can get greater intensity with lower stress on my joints.
It may feel like less, less impact yes, but as an unnatural motion it may put more stress on hips and knees and could lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury)0 -
stanmann571 wrote: »TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.
I'm a guy and prefer the elliptical because I can get greater intensity with lower stress on my joints.
It may feel like less, less impact yes, but as an unnatural motion it may put more stress on hips and knees and could lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury)
Depends on the machine and stride length.
Life fitness long stride trainer is the same motion as running for me.0 -
I like both for different reasons, but I find the treadmill to be tougher. I used to think that the elliptical was a cakewalk until I started jacking up the intensity. I like being able to get my heart rate up w/ the lower impact. Overall, I think it's possible to get a good workout with either.
To combat indoor machine bordome, some machines have tv screens attached with stuff like hulu, netflix, and youtube. People can even play solitaire if they want. I don't use those, but I guess it can help get folks through their workouts.
4 -
I prefer the elipctical. It is supposed to mimic the movments made when cross country skiing.
Which is a big sport in norway and I must say I like staying inside watching iron fist while exercising instead of slogging trough snow on skis that have sticky snow on them.
Running is hard on joints etc etc1 -
I despise them both. If I have to pick one for a warm-up to weightlifting, I take the elliptical. (too much potential for abnormally altering my gait to match the fixed speed and irritating my knee on the treadmill).0
-
stanmann571 wrote: »stanmann571 wrote: »TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.
I'm a guy and prefer the elliptical because I can get greater intensity with lower stress on my joints.
It may feel like less, less impact yes, but as an unnatural motion it may put more stress on hips and knees and could lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury)
Depends on the machine and stride length.
Life fitness long stride trainer is the same motion as running for me.
It's specifically designed that way.0 -
stanmann571 wrote: »stanmann571 wrote: »TenaciousGymKitten wrote: »Just prefernce. Elliptical is more a female thing (if I may be so bold). I hate the treadmill for the same reasons the guys above hate the elliptical. LOL
Not sure the evidence supports this position.
I'm a guy and prefer the elliptical because I can get greater intensity with lower stress on my joints.
It may feel like less, less impact yes, but as an unnatural motion it may put more stress on hips and knees and could lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury)
Depends on the machine and stride length.
Life fitness long stride trainer is the same motion as running for me.
It's specifically designed that way.
It's one of the reasons I have a PF membership... so that in the winter when the trail is iced over I can go run..
I can and have run on a treadmill, but I prefer the lifefitness pro longstride...1 -
Elliptical is a xc skiing motion... as long as you engage in some flexibility work in your workout... stress or repetitive injuries can be avoided... I personally toss a towel over the read out and let my body dictate the pace... Treadmill is a high impact machine... and the heavier you are the higher the impact and the potential for knee, hip etc. Injuries. Treadmill also engages more muscle groups which makes it significantly more demanding... the summary...
If you are now or have trained as a jogger, runner... the treadmill is great... especially if you are already significantly fit... if you are just starting out... have a significant amount of weight to lose... the elliptical will keep you in the game until your joints and soft tissue are capable of the sustained high impact of running... unless you use it for fast walking3 -
I like the elliptical because I seem to work harder and also there is no impact to my knees.1
-
They're both mind numbing but I definitely prefer the treadmill over the elliptical.
But I'm like cwolfman13, I run and bike and the treadmill is a better match for those two.
I really do hate the elliptical...
If you are bored, take your phone and earbuds and watch something entertaining. The time flies by when I'm watching video game Let's Plays or listening to creepypastas. (amateur narrated horror stories)0 -
Dreadmills would generally have more space to hang clothes from, therefore probably have some utility. It's a very expensive way to store them though.3
-
I started out on the elliptical and then tried couch to 5k on the treadmill for awhile. I wound up having hip and knee pain on my right side after a few weeks so after taking a few days off I switched back to the elliptical primarily for my cardio. I do one with where I can change the incline along with the resistance and I do intervals like that. I think doing the high incline/high resistance has translated pretty well to how I can handle going up hill on hikes. It feels a lot like doing stairs with less impact too.2
-
I ellipticated (yes, it's a word) for years until I did C25K last year and started training for a sprint triathlon. That switched me to the treadmill and bike trainer on bad weather days.
I've liked the change, but if I had a running injury of any kind I'd go back to the elliptical in a heartbeat. You can get a fantastic workout if you push yourself. I picked a target cadence (140-150 steps per minute) and picked a playlist to match.
Not all ellipticals are the same. I'm a fan of Precor, which is what my gym has. I also like the Precor Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT), which I like to call the "moon-walker." Very low impact and a great workout.
On rare occasions, I do the Stairmaster Stepmill. (Should have done it for a week prior to my recent hike-- perfect prep for that.)1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions