treadmill or elliptical trainer

bassaniobroke

If you have to make choice between treadmill or elliptical trainer which one you would prefer? and why? appreciate your inputs. Thanks

BreatheAshley

Treadmill because I can do a lot more on a treadmill than an elliptical.

LeahFerri

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

jrcrmr

If you're looking to lose weight, it's hands down a treadmill...if you're just looking for cardio, both are great...as long as you push yourself hard on the elliptical (because the perceived effort is higher on the elliptical..so you actually have to push yourself more to get the same type of work out)...so cross training is great

the only thing is that, of course, treadmill is much harder on the joints...but it is much better if you're just looking for calorie loss

jrcrmr

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more

NRSPAM

You can look into it, but I'm pretty sure ellipticals are easier on your knees, and burn more calories. I'd like to have one, but I already have a treadmill, and limited space. I do like my treadmill though, 'cuz I can do a leizurely walk, or run, plus it has automatic incline, which can really work my legs.

saraM926

I do both. Since the elliptical can hurt like hell only after a few minutes, I'll switch between the treadmill and the elliptical. I typically do about 20-30 on treadmill and 10 minutes on the elliptical.

rondaj05

In for the info!

MadTownD

Would like to read more people's opinions... in for that. ????

1princesswarrior

Elliptical is lower impact if you have bad knees it back. I burn about the same amount of calories on each with the same effort, i.e. heart rate in the same range.

pseudomuffin

I like the elliptical because I can pretend I'm an astronaut running in space

bassaniobroke

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

Stitches? dont understand ?

Canuname

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

Stitches? dont understand ?

I think she means side stitches.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/four-ways-stop-dreaded-side-stitch

annie61702

I do the treadmill at the gym and have a Precor elliptical at home. I really do love my Precor! I think you can get a good workout on both. You just have to make sure you are keeping your heart rate in the target range. I just started doing intervals on the elliptical and like that.

Jaronfisher

The elliptical all the way for me. Whether it's a treadmill or running out side, the impact causes my old knee injury to flare up in no time flat. Where with the elliptical I can go for as long as I feel like.

YorriaRaine

I prefer treadmill because elliptical feels so unnatural to me. Also, elliptical tends to wear out my knee way way faster than the treadmill does, even when treadmill is on an incline.

Showcase_Brodown

Can't freaking stand the elliptical. I'm pretty tall, and I haven't yet encountered one that was built with a big enough range of motion so that I don't feel like my legs are making midget circles.

Treadmill is the easy choice here.

I'd prefer neither though.

ricki011

I prefer the treadmill. I can burn up to 800 calories in an hour and 15 mins doing a climb up to 12 % incline.
Start at 2 and climb up every 5 mins. I've been doing this for some time and have built up endurance quite well.
I now start at 4 and climb every 3 mins and increase speed by .3 until i hit 4.5 and 12 % incline.
once i hit the top of my climb and start the decline and come back down on reverse and do my cool down on a flat treadmill.
good workout.

fast_eddie_72

Guess it depends on what you're trying to do. I run, so usually on a treadmill if I'm doing it inside. But I had a really messed up calf muscle and used the elliptical for a while to let it heal. It did work, so it certainly does seem to be a little less wear and tear on the body.

There's another side of that coin though. The impact of running is the only thing that can prepare joints and muscles for, well, the impact of running. I know for me, my joints seem to have less pain when I'm running (counter to what some would suggest). So "no impact" may not be the panacea it's sometimes made out to be. The impact does seem to make joints, for lack of a better word, "stronger".

Like most things - it depends.

FitFunTina

I used to be an elliptical junkie but after I started running I prefer the treadmill! Even when I'm not up for running, I can change the incline and feel like I'm mountain climbing and get a good workout in!

That being said, our gym has AMTs (Adaptive Motion Trainer), that are similar to an elliptical but you control the stride as you go. It's a MUCH more effective workout than an elliptical (I can definitely feel the burn in my legs).

christopherphillips1983

If I had to have one and only one, I'd pick the elliptical. I can run on the sidewalk if need be. I also burn a hell of a lot more calories on the elliptical than I do on the treadmill in the same period of time.

cutelizzyppacman

The elliptical is great if you have runner's knee or any type of leg injury. In the past (several years ago) when I started going to the gym, I could not jog at all. The treadmill was too intense for me (I thought I was going to die after a minute on it), the elliptical was fantastic for a workout. However over time it got boring and I felt it was not challenging me. I barely break a sweat no matter the intensity, and I felt ridiculous on it. That's when I went to the treadmill. It's more intense of a workout, and provides more benefits for me. I've been more fit and toned when I use the treadmill compared to the elliptical. I sweat more when I am on the treadmill and it's more of a challenge. So I feel like more work for me is done on the treadmill. I only use the elliptical if I have an injury or if something like the stair-master is occupied.

Really the elliptical is great if you're starting out at the gym or have an injury (from my experience). I see this at the gym all of the time too. The more physically fit people gravitate towards the treadmill, while people starting out will usually pick the elliptical. Of course this is not always.

_tigerblood_

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more

:noway:

skyfall91

I love my treadmill at home. I can do different intervals and different workouts and I always feel hard worked after. Id like an elliptical but I dont have one (might get one in a few years if I still want one!)

jondoles

I use both, so it really depends on how much time I have. If my time is limited, I'd probably go elliptical as it works the entire body and I usually experience a greater calorie burn. I love to run on the treadmill too. It's a toss-up

angie007az

Treadmill because I already have one and walking is great for you. I have ordered a Bowflex to use to tone up my arms and back.

baileysmom4

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more

:noway:

I can't agree less. I burn twice as many calories on an elliptical as a treadmill according to my HRM!

george7527

I prefer cross trainer can go as hard or slow as I want to but I do go out running

rduhlir

I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

Stitches are usually a sign of breathing problems when running. If you learn to control your breathing then you can learn to get rid of the stitches when they come.

MissSarahAllison315

I do the elliptical because my knees are crap. UGH. I'd love to be a runner but after a week of slow running, my knees force me to stop. To keep it from being boring, I do intervals in both speed and resistance, always trying to keep my RPM's high! If I want to do the treadmill I'll up the incline and go at a fast walk! They're both!

OperationCombat

I prefer running outside but when I do use the gym I use both. Not keen on treadmills but will do 35 mins (4 miles) then 25 mins on Elliptical trainer (2 miles). Burn more calories running but go with how fit you are and how comfortable you feel using the machines.