ELLIPTICAL vs TREADMILL. Your thoughts please?

Monroe121
Monroe121 Posts: 358 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Which do you prefer: TREADMILL OR ELLIPTICAL? WHY? :wink:

Roe
«13

Replies

  • fp64
    fp64 Posts: 128 Member
    I love the elliptical, much easier on my old man joints, plus the ones at my gym have arm/ski attachments
  • allthenamesaretaken1
    allthenamesaretaken1 Posts: 98
    Neither. I prefer the bowflex tread climber. It works way more muscles and is low impact.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    I started out on the elliptical becouse I could stay on it longer and do better than the treadmill then I started 30 minutes on elliptical and 30 on the Mill. Evuentually I moved completely to treadmill. it has been about a year and Ive ditched the treadmill and love running outside. I did enjoy the treadmill more becouse I felt it did more for me and was more challanging. I started to incorporate the stair master with the treadmill the stairmaster kicks butt. But canceled our membership trying to cut back on expenses.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    Elliptical... I'm afraid of running on the treadmill because I have a hard time keeping the same pace for long without needing to take mini 'breaks' and I'm afraid I'll fly off the back of the treadmill if I can't keep up. Plus it's easier on the joints
  • ChristyJade
    ChristyJade Posts: 186 Member
    Treadmill on incline, I don't mind the elliptical, but just prefer the varied walking instead...
  • leyvad
    leyvad Posts: 36 Member
    Elliptical for me ! it burns twice as much calories as a treadmill and it works your legs and back side ::))
  • Monroe121
    Monroe121 Posts: 358 Member
    Elliptical... I'm afraid of running on the treadmill because I have a hard time keeping the same pace for long without needing to take mini 'breaks' and I'm afraid I'll fly off the back of the treadmill if I can't keep up. Plus it's easier on the joints


    Ha ha I like that flying off statement!
  • psychomeep
    psychomeep Posts: 23
    Elliptical. Walking long distances at a strenuous pace is painful for me. Not sure if that's a standard thing for obese people, but my feet and legs end up killing me to the point of not being able to continue without a break. I tried the elliptical and I don't have those issues. I can keep my heart rate up for 45 minutes to an hour without stopping.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    Neither, I grab some trainers and run or cycle outside, come rain or shine, machines do my nut in ; )
  • Lisa760
    Lisa760 Posts: 113 Member
    I love and prefer the treadmill because I feel like a push myself more and my arm motion is more natural. With that said, I've completely messed up my right knee over the years and can no longer run without suffering weeks of pain. Now I'm on my elliptical every day and my joints thank me for it.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    I feel like a weirdo using the elliptical. Am I the only one?
  • tristahenry
    tristahenry Posts: 175
    I like them both for different reasons. When I'm on the treadmill I feel like I'm accomplishing something and I love the incline. The elliptical is great for a change of pace, a break on my joints and burns those buns! Overall I prefer the great outdoors but indoor equipment is a necessary evil. I"m currently debating buying one or the other machine for the bad weather days so bump for others opinions as well.
  • Jennisgettingslim
    Jennisgettingslim Posts: 9 Member
    I like them both. The elliptical is easier on my joints but I feel I get a better work out when I use the Treadmill.
  • junipearl
    junipearl Posts: 326 Member
    running on the treadmill gets me way out of breath and sweaty, whereas elliptical is more of a soreness-inducing exercise and doesn't make me feel like my heart rate is getting up there as much. its kind of like the difference between running and biking (which i do a lot of also).

    so i prefer the treadmill.
  • cmon288
    cmon288 Posts: 173 Member
    The Elliptical, it always brings out the BEAST in me.

    I just enjoy it more, than the treadmil. I feel like I get more bang for my... well minute.

    I don't love running, but i enjoy it more outdoors than in. On the treadmil when I get tired I reduce the speed and go into a walk. On The Elliptical I can switch back and forth from letting my legs do most of the work to my arms doing most of the work.. This causes me to keep moving a lot longer than I would on a treadmill.
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    Elliptical, cause it's different! haha. I have a treadmill at home so now I'm really bored of it.
  • tracymat
    tracymat Posts: 296 Member
    Agreed.
  • Yolanda4160
    Yolanda4160 Posts: 170 Member
    I do both, but I would say I prefer the elliptical machine more.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Treadmill is superior as the motion and movement is transferable to the real world. It will make you walk easier, run easier, etc. Whereas with the elliptical, other than strengthening the heart and increasing endurance will not make real life movements that much easier. Besides that the motion on the elliptical is so unnatural that prolonged use can cause injury as the body is not designed to move like that.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    I never feel like I get in a decent stride on an elliptical, kind of like being on a short leash, restricted. I am not a huge fan of treadmill running either, but it is preferable to running outside in cold wet winter weather. I can at least adjust the incline and pace to mimic road conditions somewhat. I can also set pace goals for spring. (Do I sound like I am trying to convince myself I like a deadmill?)
  • Cyngen
    Cyngen Posts: 557 Member
    A mix of both to keep my cardio interesting. My gym also hase those Gazelle type machines as well, have to try that.
  • ChantalD75
    ChantalD75 Posts: 680 Member
    I burn more calories on the treadmill then the elliptical. I have both at home and use the treadmill more.
  • mrincredible93
    mrincredible93 Posts: 146
    Cybex Arc Trainer - 100 different resistance levels and 10 different arcs (angles of rotation) working both arms and legs. Thousands of different work outs on one machine. Treadmill is an indoor replacement for walking or running outdoors - great when it's snowing or raining too hard. But all the inclines and speeds can be found and done outside. The Cybex Arc Trainer can't be duplicated without the machine.
  • ChitownFoodie
    ChitownFoodie Posts: 1,562 Member
    No preference. I pick up the weights and lift heavy, but if I must do cardio then its plain old jumping jacks, sprints on either machine or the stairmaster.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Neither. I'd rather run outside in any weather than set foot on either machine ever again.
  • chelljo12
    chelljo12 Posts: 187 Member
    I have both, but prefer the Elliptical. I am trying to get into running so on most days I will start with running on the treadmill then switch to the elliptical.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    Never been on an elliptical. ._.

    I would love a treadmill for the long Minnesota winters. Trying to clear enough space in my storage room so I can put one out there eventually. It's a process.
  • alaty211
    alaty211 Posts: 12 Member
    (((((ELLIPTICAL))))) lol I love that machine, more calories burned in less time!
  • repmlrs
    repmlrs Posts: 154
    i rather jump rope than do either
  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    I definitely prefer the treadmill out of the two. I like to do HIIT workouts and I feel like they're not as effective for me on the elliptical.

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