Elliptical vs treadmill?

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  • HealthyHappy120
    HealthyHappy120 Posts: 262
    I have a treadmill..but I wish I would've gone with an elliptical. You can run outside!
  • Pepper2185
    Pepper2185 Posts: 994 Member
    Buy whichever one you are going to use most often, and the one that you will push yourself the hardest on.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Walking, hiking and running outside are free and a much better workout!
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    Well, an elliptical has practically no-impact, so if you're worried about joints and impact, I would go for that. It is NOT the same thing as running, though, so if you really want to actually run, get a treadmill.

    Personally, I'm not a fan of either one, but I'd buy a treadmill, if only to do my runs inside on really terrible days when I really can't get outside. One day, when I have a bigger house and budget..
  • rebeccasedwards
    rebeccasedwards Posts: 208
    I have both but don't use the treadmill anymore. I get out and walk. I love the elliptical. I had knee surgery last fall and my elliptical allows to exercise with no pain now.
  • twynzmom
    twynzmom Posts: 172
    I struggled with buying an elliptical or a treadmill. I bought the elliptical (great price at Walmart) but now that I have it, I wish I had bought a treadmill! I've had both knees replaced and thought the elliptical would be easier on my knees...however it hasn't been. In fact, I'm quite disappointed that I haven't been able to use it more. But I love to walk outside, so I kind of think I may have liked the treadmil a little better.
  • 123maxpp
    123maxpp Posts: 3
    I have bad knees and ankles from a injury a few years back. I have used treadmills in the past and have been stiff/sore for days after. I have an elliptical now and use it 4 or 5 days a week. I have had zero complaints and it seems to be a good workout.
  • ambitious01
    ambitious01 Posts: 209 Member
    I have both. I use Proform models. The treadmill is top of the line, but I have back problems and my husband has knee problems. I use the elliptical. I had the treadmill for about 4 years, but because of my ailments I couldn't do much. I had to use a cane to walk. I started using the elliptical and I now can run!!! I say the elliptical is better. I get a full body workout.
  • rmh84
    rmh84 Posts: 28
    I prefer the eliptical, I get nasty bad shin splints from jogging.

    We have one at home. The thing is for an eliptical you've GOT to get a really high quality one, as the cheap ones are flimsy, and they feel like it. Treadmills are a little more forgiving that way.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    i THOUGHT i was getting a better workout on the elliptical because of the machine's calorie count, then I bought a HRM and learned that the elliptical was WAY over estimating my calories burned and the treadmill was underestimating my calories burned and that I actually burned way more when I was on the treadmill then when I use the elliptical. The elliptical is better for my knees but I have to be on it longer to get the same burn. Also I find the elliptical incredibly boring. I think it's personal preference

    If you don't have much experience with easier, see if the gym has a free one day pass or a drop in rate, and go in and use both and see what you like better.
  • MomOfJoey
    MomOfJoey Posts: 58
    Am I the only one who gets dizzy on the treadmill? Something about the disconnect between the body's experience of walking and the visual field not moving. Then, when I get off, I feel queasy. Thus, I have an elliptical and I love it. No joint pain, no dizziness, lots of calories burned in the half hour I allot to do cardio.
  • Mbond74
    Mbond74 Posts: 56 Member
    Oh, definitely on my wishlist...wish I could afford one!! :-) (oops, dropped the quote! I meant the bowflex treadclimber)
  • ariant23
    ariant23 Posts: 161 Member
    My vote: elliptical, but a good one. That's the problem. You can get a cheap one for a few weeks worth of gym membership, but it likely won't last. I'm also assuming that the people who say an elliptical bothered their joints were using one with a small cheap flywheel. Crappy one's will "drop" at the bottom of each stride, and that hurts, and feels awkward. Before plunking down the cash, see if you can try it out for a reasonable period of time. Second hand on craigslist is always good, but be sure to practice buddy-safety when buying, esp. b/c you'll likely have to go to someone's home to pick it up.

    Edit: oh yeah, i'd love a bowflex treadclimber, but my knees can't handle it. when they first came out (early 2000's), my gym in SoCal had one, it was constantly broken, but i did love the mega workout in a short time.
  • EndofEternity
    EndofEternity Posts: 108
    You just have to try it for yourself. I can get just as much work out of either one but the elliptical hurts my back where as the treadmill hurts my legs. It's sort of a pick your poison for me.
  • tripitena
    tripitena Posts: 554 Member
    We bought the Nordic ET but later got a Nordic x9i and I luv this machine! Burns calories faster, has more variety & challenging on-board workouts..
  • TreadmillRobert
    TreadmillRobert Posts: 1
    The myfitnesspal treadmill users group has 8 members. The elliptical users group has 320 members. That tells you something.

    Here's a good article on the differences between using an elliptical vs. using a treadmill -- http://www.treadmill-world.com/which-is-better-treadmill-or-elliptical.html

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