Elliptical Vs. Treadmill

lcarr1020

I have been mostly doing 35-40 mins on the Treadmill when I go to them gym but I have also done the Elliptical a few times as well thinking that it helps work my legs and arms....which one is better for BEST results??

phinphanbill26

lcarr - the treadmill is harder on your knees. As long as you keep your target heart rate in an acceptable range, your body won't know the difference between the two machines. Cardio is cardio - or so my trainer tells me.

Feel free to add me for support if you need it!

andreanicole686

I like the elliptical better. The treadmill is alright but I can feel a better workout on the elliptical and it doesn't hurt my knees as much.

RainbootsToBikinis

I think variety gets you the best results. I do cardio three days a week, one day the elliptical will be my focus with treadmill secondary, one day treadmill will be my main workout with secondary being the stair climber, third day I use the rowing machine most and then stationary bike as my secondary. First machine I do 40 minutes, second I do 20.

erickirb

The treadmill will make you better in everyday life as the movement is transferable to most of your daily routine. The elliptical on the other hand may increase your endurance a bit, but the motion is not natural, the track may not be the correct range of motion for you and you cannot transfer that movement to any aspect of the real world.

Jacole18

I seem to have a harder workout on the elliptical, but you can't go wrong with the treadmill!

Tuffjourney

I have osteo-arthritis in my knees, and I must be doing something wrong on the Ellipitical and that pushing down really hurts. Yet the treadmill doesnt. Anyone know what I might be doing wrong? I want to do the Ellipitical cause it seems to be more of a workout.

saracatherine89

The one thing to be cautious about is ellipticals tend to grossly overestimate calories burned. Even the ones that seem like they are close are overestimating. If you are trying to lose weight, I have personally noticed better results from the treadmill in terms of weight loss and losing inches of fat.

Grandysl

Bowflex Treadclimber: Best of both!

clariangel

The treadmill will make you better in everyday life as the movement is transferable to most of your daily routine. The elliptical on the other hand may increase your endurance a bit, but the motion is not natural, the track may not be the correct range of motion for you and you cannot transfer that movement to any aspect of the real world.

This is why I prefer the treadmill

sherry9300

Use both and more. I use the treadmill, elliptical, cardio wave and walking/running. I always mix it up...don't want my body getting too used to any one thing.

rlmcnay

Both are great but the Eliptical has less resistance. Less resistance is not always a good thing. It is a great cardio workout but the resistance the treadmill gives the body, i.e. the impact and inclines, are more similar to what the body encounters on a regular basis. If you have the knees for it the treadmill is a better option for a more realistic workout. I have nothing against the eliptical, I have seen people who work out with the eliptical and have very little stamina as opposed to people who used the treadmill. It's your choice really as long as your doing something that is all that matters.

erickirb

I have osteo-arthritis in my knees, and I must be doing something wrong on the Ellipitical and that pushing down really hurts. Yet the treadmill doesnt. Anyone know what I might be doing wrong? I want to do the Ellipitical cause it seems to be more of a workout.

Most likely that the machine makes you conform to it whereas you can change your stride length/pattern on the treadmill.

sailorsiren13

i do both to me that is the best result but i like to take it outside as well that is the best for when i'm running a lot of races. I don't burn as many calories but the resistance and conditions for training are better than being inside all the time. if you can swing it.

WhitneyAnnabelle

I think HIIT is easier on the treadmill, but yeah, the elliptical is better for knees

likeschocolate

I think variety gets you the best results. I do cardio three days a week, one day the elliptical will be my focus with treadmill secondary, one day treadmill will be my main workout with secondary being the stair climber, third day I use the rowing machine most and then stationary bike as my secondary. First machine I do 40 minutes, second I do 20.

A believer in this school of thought, or "muscle confusion" as some call it. I'd do as much variation as you can accommodate and enjoy. Treadmill, Elliptical, Stationary bike, Stairclimber / treadclimber, ...

Aeonis

Personally I prefer the elliptical. I have knee pain, and the treadmill really makes it a lot worse. Some variety is good, but I feel as far as minimizing joint stress overtime, the elliptical is much better. I also find I can "cheat" on the treadmill more easily, as in to try to lessen my knee strain I found ways to "run" that hurt less, but actually made my workout less valid in the long run whereas the elliptical forces you to complete the cycle of motion.

I third the "muscle confusion" concept as well. Don't let your body get too much into a routine by repeating the same exercise all the time.

cgrout78

do both...alternate days. Also if your gym has an AMT (kind of a ramped up elliptical) that's a lot of fun as well and so is an ARC trainer, all give a great workout to do different parts of the body

Derpina7

I have a bad knee (acl surgery on it two years ago, and it's still not 'the same') so I find I prefer the eliptical - just have to keep up your heart rate! The treadmill is however more of a natural motion/stride.

Ladyiianae

The one thing to be cautious about is ellipticals tend to grossly overestimate calories burned. Even the ones that seem like they are close are overestimating. If you are trying to lose weight, I have personally noticed better results from the treadmill in terms of weight loss and losing inches of fat.

I think all machines over estimate calories burned, for those really addicted to that number I suggest a heart rate monitor, otherwise, that number the machine puts up might just be the incentive that a newby exerciser needs. That little extra push to keep him or her going when they would otherwise quit.

I, myself, use my own heart rate monitor...which is also just an estimate but I think a little more realistic for me maybe.

sing4me4you

I have osteo-arthritis in my knees, and I must be doing something wrong on the Ellipitical and that pushing down really hurts. Yet the treadmill doesnt. Anyone know what I might be doing wrong? I want to do the Ellipitical cause it seems to be more of a workout.

The elliptical should have a pretty smooth motion to it and should be working your glutes and upper leg muscles. Check to see if the resistance is set too high for you. I also have arthritis in my knees and cannot do the treadmill but have been working out on the elliptical for years. Try starting more slowly so you get more used to the motion and set the resistance at the lowest level to start.

kadins_momma07

When I had a gym membership I went mainly for the elliptical! I really can't spend much time on the treadmill, it gets kind of boring to me. What I would do is workout on the elliptical for however long then go to the treadmill for kind of a cool down, I was still moving and burning calories but cooling down at the same time. Mind you, I'm not a runner, I'll die form less than 5 minutes of running, I have to work up to it...so maybe if I was a runner I'd like the treadmill more. I finally decided to ditch my gym membership and just invest in an elliptical of my own

secretlobster

The difference is not just in calories. Elliptical work is great for people who don't want to put unnecessary strain on their knees. It's a lot better for your joints. The elliptical is also nice because you can change the resistance for a more customized workout. It's really hard to compare the two, but I think in general, running will get your heart rate higher.

NicVino

The elliptical is good, but I personally like the Arc Trainer. It burns more calories and really gives you a good overall workout. I personally use it on the "strength program" where the resistance and incline is high...and I still find that to be easier on my knees than the ellipical or treadmill.

http://www.cybexintl.com/products/cross-trainers.aspx -Just in case you're not sure

LindaCWy

The difference is not just in calories. Elliptical work is great for people who don't want to put unnecessary strain on their knees. It's a lot better for your joints. The elliptical is also nice because you can change the resistance for a more customized workout. It's really hard to compare the two, but I think in general, running will get your heart rate higher.

This ***** got it goin on

just4u_cara

I had an elliptical, hated every moment I tried it so I sold it at a great deal to the buyer.

Joined the gym, tried the treadmill and never regretted selling that elliptical. It hurt my knees, I found it wasn't a natural movement for me to continue going.

The treadmill can change incline &/or speed to jazz up any "plain ol' walk" into a full blown workout.

Took me about 36lbs to drop before I could jog on it with a bit of grace. Not sure I'll continue with the jogging, but I know I can do it.

The elliptical is low-impact, but the treadmill can be too, depending on how you use it.

Good luck!

stellaskies

I use the weight machines for the first 20 minutes of my workout (assuming you're a gym member here) then for the other 20-25 minutes I use either the treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike. I think variety is awesome if you don't have any health issues.

i'm just lucky I get to the gym at all, to be honest. It's hard waking up at 4:30 am to workout.

ShawnaCurley

I do both but I prefer the elliptical. It makes me really sweat.
I can't figure out why people bad mouth the elliptical, it's done me good! And since I have knee and feet problem's, the elliptical is much easier on my joints. :happy:

maxonehiphop

I have noticed much better results on the treadmill. It doesn't hurt my knees. I see that everyone else is saying treadmill is harder on the knees. That hasn't been the case for me but I don't run on the treadmill very much. I usually walk between 3.5 and 4.5 MPH at a 15 percent incline. It's been great. I do more than just the treadmill but between the two I prefer the treadmill.

erickirb

I think HIIT is easier on the treadmill, but yeah, the elliptical is better for knees

.
Only if it fits your "normal" stride pattern. If you have to lengthen your natural stride, it may actually be worse on the knees.

Jess81620

I use both alternating days normally for 45 - 60 mins along with Zumba, Spin, abs and a total body work out class. I have a bad knee so I don't like to spend too much time on a treadmill. I also just like to switch my work out up.