treadmill or elliptical

MoNiCaMaRieV

im looking for a new cardio machine to buy for home..which one do you think is a better buy...im not really a runner.., i can jog for short periods of time i know jogging/running burns more calories... im going to cancel my gym membership and wont have the variety of machines to use anymore...which one would you guys suggest?....how would you do HIIT on a elliptical machine? increasing the resistance? im looking to slim down the legs and not look bulky...ive heard from a couple people their legs actually got bigger by doing this..

olek78

an exercise bike maybe?

Kirsty_UK

The ellipitical I use at the gym has an interval training setting, but I'm not sure if that increases resistance, or increases the ramp (which alters the muscle groups used) as I've not tried it.

carlfry

I have an elliptical and prefer it over the treadmill for knee/hip reasons. I like that I can work my arms too! For HIIT, I do 90 seconds really fast (HR at 90% max) then about 30-60 seconds at a mid range HR (around 60-65%). My elliptical has 10 different resistance levels. My legs aren't bulky, but they are getting smaller!

tdolphin1

I actually have a gym membership and an elliptical (for when I can't make it to the gym & also hubby wanted one). I'm not sure what HIIT is though. Also have an older treadmill. I love my elliptical, kicks my butt..lol depending on what you get you can do a bunch of different workouts on the elliptical. My legs haven't gotten bulky, toned yes! You can still do interval training on it also which I do...helps keep it from getting boring. Like you I don't run, but when I use the treadmill at the gym (better then mine...lol) I'll do walk/jog on it. Good luck :-)

cupfanncbms

I love elliptical. For the time, the burn is awesome. I can go for 60 minutes and burn over 800 calories. I don't do the TM since I have a problem with the impact...

Which do you prefer at the gym?

MrBrown72

I'm all about the elliptical, it's easier on my joints and works the upper body as well. I also find it burns about twice the calories of a stationary bike. Most elliptical machines have settings that simulate slower uphill with faster even surfaces, and you can manually adjust the tension if you want or need to. Slimming down on either machine would require less tension and a longer run.

Just be sure to do your research before buying. Mind does everything I want (nordictrack) but I'm 6' tall and the screen is angled for someone much smaller. I have to crouch like an elliptical ninja to see how much time I have left.

nokittyno

Hmm, choices choices.

I actually have had both. I bought an Schwinn Elliptical a few years ago - was a great model for it's price, and I did work up quite sweat, but I would agree on the aspect of legs getting a little mor e larger- mostly due to muscle. For me though, I have a hard time with self motivating on certain cardio machines. With an ellipical you get in, what you put out - and I can struggle with that and lack in progress.

Treadmills however; better for me. If I feel like stopping, HAHA - GOOD LUCK, as you fall on your face when you're running at a set speed of say 7 or 9. I love the treadmill, but my knees have to be reconditioned for it constantly. I have had knee issues on and off, so that is why some choose the ellipical(as I had). In reality despite the lack of progress, if it is a cheaper elliptical(say under 1,200) you will get what you pay for(same for Treadmill). I found the motion of the elliptical sometimes made my knee problem worse.

After I went out and bought a treadmill my cardio increased, and I dropped weight more steadily. I push myself harder on it is why.

It's the rule of thumb - do what works for you, buy whats in your budget and research the heck out of it, as it will replace your gym membership and be the staple of your cardio.

**For reference, I have a Sole TT8 Treadmill - amazing durable machine with a wonderful warranty. It's costly though, but even their lower lines are quite beefy.

Hope my drabble helped a bit.

anubis609

I'm an advocate of the elliptical because I have a knee issue. It hasn't bulked up my legs. I'll copy/paste the general advice in incorporating HIIT routines with it here:

There's a variety of ways to incorporate HIIT routines into the elliptical. Obviously good form, proper warm-up, and using the arms are prerequisites. Keep your abs taut throughout the routine, back straight as you don't wanna be slouching forward or leaning back, and a 5-minute warm up to get blood flowing are what will help the intensity process.

One method of increasing intensity is simply increasing speed. After the 5-minute slow to moderate pace of warming up, immediately go as fast as you can for the next 1 - 2 minutes [or as long as you can], then immediately go into a moderate recovery speed for about 2 - 3 minutes, then repeat the process of bursts of speed > recovery > speed > etc. for 15 - 20 minutes. While you increase the speed, make sure to be mindful of your form. Keeping your core engaged, you'll minimize arm flailing or too much swaying.

Another method of increasing the intensity is to increase resistance. This one will require much more use of the arm/hand holds to help propel you through the resistance level with the benefit of slight strength training. Again, after the warm-up, immediately bump up the resistance to one where you're able to do, but with a struggle. And do that increased resistance for the alloted 1 - 2 minutes [or as long as you can], immediately followed by a 2 - 3 minute recovery at a moderately lower resistance. And repeat for about 15 - 20 minutes. Core needs to be engaged for this one because form tends to collapse when you push through resistance rather than speed. Should your legs start feeling it, you can then start using your arms to propel you through the workout every now and then.

The third is basically just a combination of the first 2 methods. Increasing resistance + speed. The resistance will need to be increased high enough for you to struggle while going as fast as you can. Recover at a moderate pace and resistance. Again repeat for 15 - 20 minutes.

Now for a variation of any one of those 3 suggestions. This one requires the use of going backwards in-between intensity bursts. For any one of the methods aforementioned, propel forward for the initial intensity burst and recover period, then immediately propel backwards for the next intensity burst and recovery period, and repeat. This will engage almost all of the leg muscles and upper body when using the bars. Form is extremely important with your core actively engaged. It's very easy to get sloppy towards the end, as you should be feeling all types of burn from including the use of changing direction.

And lastly, I will describe to you MY specific routine. Because I've built up my endurance to this point, I immediately start off on the highest resistance level, even during my 5-minute warm-up.
After my warm-up:
> I switch directions and propel backwards as fast as I can for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover at a moderately fast pace for 1 minute
> Switch it back propelling forward as fast as I can for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover at a moderately fast pace for 1 minute
> Switch direction at a recovery pace for 1 - 2 minutes
> Increase intensity for 1 - 2 minutes
> Switch direction and recover for 2 minutes
> Increase intensity for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover for 2 - 3 minutes ... [by this time, I'm already sweating my *kitten* off and in need of catching my breath]

And I'll repeat this process for however long I feel up to it. Generally my routines range between 15 - 30 minutes at such a short pace. If I decide to go longer, I'll increase the recovery times, but keep the intensity bursts and direction switches after every 5 minutes. I also time my workouts according to my music playlist, so I also have tracks arranged to recovery and intensity bursts. It helps with me with my timing.

mndamon

I have an elliptical and use interval training. It increases resistance and the ramp both for the high intesity periods, but different machines probably produce different changes. I'd highly recommend an elliptical over a treadmill.

Emilystbt

I would go with the elliptical for sure, running does burn more calories but a good elliptical machine has a lot of nice setting to burn calories ect. like a hill climb and reversing your stride.
You can always go for a run outside if you need to change things up, also ellipticals are so much easier on the knees and back.

EHuntRN

I have been loving the elliptical since Ijoined the gym in Jan. doing HIIT..recently I started doing HIIT on the treadmill....and I am loving the challenge and burn it provides...my knees have been hurting lately so I have been playing it by ear...so far so good...but I am only able to do 10 min so far...but I am working my way up to hopefully 25-30 min.....

TerraGirl17

I vote elliptical!! I love it, my legs are so much more toned and defined from using the elliptical!!

MoNiCaMaRieV

I love elliptical. For the time, the burn is awesome. I can go for 60 minutes and burn over 800 calories. I don't do the TM since I have a problem with the impact...

Which do you prefer at the gym?

when i go i usually end up on the stairmaster or elliptical..rarley the treadmill

oreyna49

I have been dabating on this same issue. I'm not sure which one to buy. I've used them both and like them equally. I'm gonna keep reading the responses to see if I get swayed. Thanks for posting this topic :happy:

MoNiCaMaRieV

I'm an advocate of the elliptical because I have a knee issue. It hasn't bulked up my legs. I'll copy/paste the general advice in incorporating HIIT routines with it here:

There's a variety of ways to incorporate HIIT routines into the elliptical. Obviously good form, proper warm-up, and using the arms are prerequisites. Keep your abs taut throughout the routine, back straight as you don't wanna be slouching forward or leaning back, and a 5-minute warm up to get blood flowing are what will help the intensity process.

One method of increasing intensity is simply increasing speed. After the 5-minute slow to moderate pace of warming up, immediately go as fast as you can for the next 1 - 2 minutes [or as long as you can], then immediately go into a moderate recovery speed for about 2 - 3 minutes, then repeat the process of bursts of speed > recovery > speed > etc. for 15 - 20 minutes. While you increase the speed, make sure to be mindful of your form. Keeping your core engaged, you'll minimize arm flailing or too much swaying.

Another method of increasing the intensity is to increase resistance. This one will require much more use of the arm/hand holds to help propel you through the resistance level with the benefit of slight strength training. Again, after the warm-up, immediately bump up the resistance to one where you're able to do, but with a struggle. And do that increased resistance for the alloted 1 - 2 minutes [or as long as you can], immediately followed by a 2 - 3 minute recovery at a moderately lower resistance. And repeat for about 15 - 20 minutes. Core needs to be engaged for this one because form tends to collapse when you push through resistance rather than speed. Should your legs start feeling it, you can then start using your arms to propel you through the workout every now and then.

The third is basically just a combination of the first 2 methods. Increasing resistance + speed. The resistance will need to be increased high enough for you to struggle while going as fast as you can. Recover at a moderate pace and resistance. Again repeat for 15 - 20 minutes.

Now for a variation of any one of those 3 suggestions. This one requires the use of going backwards in-between intensity bursts. For any one of the methods aforementioned, propel forward for the initial intensity burst and recover period, then immediately propel backwards for the next intensity burst and recovery period, and repeat. This will engage almost all of the leg muscles and upper body when using the bars. Form is extremely important with your core actively engaged. It's very easy to get sloppy towards the end, as you should be feeling all types of burn from including the use of changing direction.

And lastly, I will describe to you MY specific routine. Because I've built up my endurance to this point, I immediately start off on the highest resistance level, even during my 5-minute warm-up.
After my warm-up:
> I switch directions and propel backwards as fast as I can for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover at a moderately fast pace for 1 minute
> Switch it back propelling forward as fast as I can for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover at a moderately fast pace for 1 minute
> Switch direction at a recovery pace for 1 - 2 minutes
> Increase intensity for 1 - 2 minutes
> Switch direction and recover for 2 minutes
> Increase intensity for 1 - 2 minutes
> Recover for 2 - 3 minutes ... [by this time, I'm already sweating my *kitten* off and in need of catching my breath]

And I'll repeat this process for however long I feel up to it. Generally my routines range between 15 - 30 minutes at such a short pace. If I decide to go longer, I'll increase the recovery times, but keep the intensity bursts and direction switches after every 5 minutes. I also time my workouts according to my music playlist, so I also have tracks arranged to recovery and intensity bursts. It helps with me with my timing.

thanks for the info! really helps

littlemili

Elliptical. You might have great knees and hips now but who knows in 3 years? You can also go backwards on it and use arms, which is unlike a treadmill, but you get all the pre-sets and inclines of a treadmill if you get a good one. Also takes very little floor space and you can get good ones cheap. I own one. Definitely made the right choice.

Carol_123

I just wanted to mention one thing because we made the mistake of buying a treadmill, that I have now lent to my grandmother. We have an older home with hardwood floors and plaster walls. We could not jog on our treadmill because it literally rattled the house too badly. We wanted to have the treadmill in our upstairs bedroom but couldn't because we were afraid the ceiling underneath it was going to drop when the chandelier would shake so badly. Even in our living room, the impact of jogging would make such a rattle and noise that it was just annoying to anyone else in the house.

You really have to consider where a treadmill is going and it's something I wish the salesperson would have told me before making my purchase. Knowing what I know now I would only buy a treadmill if you have a solid main floor or basement floor to take the impact. We have since bought an elliptical (although still in the box) so that we can have something low impact upstairs to exercise on.