Elliptial vs. Treadmill

xtinadaniellex3

I find that using the elliptial is somewhat easier for me (not that it's easy at all). I still sweat and i feel like i had a good workout. I usually do between 3-5 miles on the elliptial around 5 days a week. Is this less beneficial than using the treadmill though? I just dont like the treadmill much but i cant help but think that I'm cheating or something, even though i still feel like I'm working hard.

KBGAgent

I really like the elliptical. When I monitor my heart rate, I can control it better and keep it higher on the elliptical.

xsmilexforxmex

I notice I tend to move faster on the elliptical than on the treadmill... but I think this is bc I used my arms as well and it's a different movement. I try to do both.. I actually prefer the treadmill bc it is harder to me and I like to feel challenged to reach my goal sometimes... but I think overall they're both beneficial.

Mokey41

It depends what your goal is. The elliptical is great cardio exercise with low impact. If you want to be a runner then the treadmill is the better option but both are good and the best one is the one that you'll actually do!

jpwic

Hehe I know it's not one of the options, but I love the AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer)! It's like doing both at once!

Ladyzumba

I prefer the elliptical. I can WALK outside besides if your not running or walking uphill at a good
pace on the treadmill you won't burn a lot of calories.

Want2BRunner

I feel the same way!! I feel that after a few mile run on the treadmill I've gotten an excellent workout. (dripping sweat) With the elliptical and the Arc machine I don't feel the "Burn" as much but the calories burned are about the same. When I walk into the gym I find myself leaning towards the harder workout. If I don't then I come home and end up doing more cardio. UGH! I just don't know

littlewhittles

The elliptical is easier on your joints and such. That's what I use. I think running on the treadmill or outside probably does more for you, but it can be brutal on your knees.

xFitnessFlirt

I feel elliptical is a little easier too when the incline is higher and I go faster then I do and even burn more calories on it then I do on treadmill, But since I'm not dripping in sweat I don't feel like I did a good job when I actually burned more, elliptical sure is weird. But I try to do a little of both because sometimes I feel more satisfied with treadmill.

gbellsatx

You ust keep doing what make you get to the gym!! Maybe do some intervals from time to time to change things up but just keep going!!

Grace4DebraAnn

You most definitely get a better burn and workout on the treadmill. I use both so I use all my muscles, but I say by far the Treadmill is the best way to go. You want to add some resistance training to the mix too, not just cardio.

ExplorinLauren

I burn more calories doing the treadmill at 15 incline at a slower pace than I burn on the elliptical at a faster pace in the same amount of time. So I say the treadmill lol

Jennaissance

I don't use machines anymore but when I did I'd do both. Why the heck not? The gym is boring and sometimes you need a change of scenery and I could never decide which was better anyway. This used to be my everyday gym workout and I'd burn about 500 calories:

dynamic stretching
5 minute treadmill warm up: walking fast, incline 1
20-30 minute elliptical jam: at the hardest level you can, or range (intervals)
10 minute mile on the treadmill with an incline of at least 1
5 minute treadmill cool down: walking, reducing pace
static stretching

Nachise

I do both. I generally use the elliptical to warm up before I do weights. I use the treadmill after doing weights to loosen up the legs, back, and arms. If the weather is rainy, sloppy, and/or cold, the gym is about the only option I have for exercise. There is a lake nearby that is 1 1/4 miles around, and when the weather is nice, I'm out there. I also have an elliptical at home.

I used to think that I would be bored using equipment at the gym, but I use that time as a sort of meditation. The time flies.

Mighty_Rabite

I like to mix them up, personally, but I definitely work more on the elliptical than the treadmill - too much running really sores out my ankles!

If you are working hard enough, either one is plenty adequate, I would say.

postrockandcats

My knees bother me when I use the elliptical, so treadmill it is

JezzD1

Elliptical all the way for me. Easier on the joints and a better way to monitor your heartrate, burns more calories and gives me an overall better workout!

Ayla70

Hehe I know it's not one of the options, but I love the AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer)! It's like doing both at once!

Oh no...I just googled it, and if it's the machine I'm thinking of at the gym I absolutely HATE it. I have zero co-ordination and I get muddled up within seconds on that thing hahaha. I last about 20 seconds and that's it.

sharibee66

I prefer the treadmill as the elliptical is hard on my knees also. I find the hill and mountain climbs are a good workout. I do still have a shot on the elliptical but 5 minutes is all I can manage.

jennifer_417

I like the elliptical because it's easier on the joints. For some reason, my hips tend to hurt when I do the treadmill. Plus, it just seems like I can work much harder and burn a lot more calories on the elliptical without it being so hard on my body.

bachoat

I LOVE AMT !!!!

nashai01

Hehe I know it's not one of the options, but I love the AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer)! It's like doing both at once!

I have to agree, I normally do this for cardio and its tough but its a great work out

dare2love81

Both have their advantages, but if you're not training to run, then do whichever you don't get bored at. Or whichever one kicks out a higher calorie burn on your HRM.

ETA: Just switch it up after awhile so the body doesn't get used to the same thing day in and day out.

bdradtke

I use both just to switch it up from time to time. I generally burn 50% more calories running on the treadmill v. the elliptical per mile or 10 minutes of workout, but I get a good burn from both.

martintanz

I do both, but treadmill feels harder to me. With elliptical, you can coast on a low resistance, so I try to pump up the resistance to compensate. When I started back at the gym in July, I generally kept resistance at a 5 or 6. Now, I push resistance to at least an 8, more often 9, and do intervals with resistance at 10 or 11.

freasabreze

I have both and I love my treadmill. My elliptical seems hard to me. Maybe its just my machine. I prefer the treadmill.

karenragusa

hi i agree you definitely burn more calories quicker on the elliptical and you can keep your heartrate up.

xtinadaniellex3

Hehe I know it's not one of the options, but I love the AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer)! It's like doing both at once!

i JUST started getting really into this machine actually. when i posted this topic, i had never used one before. but my gym got new equipment and rearranged everything and one day when i went in i couldn't find the elliptical anymore lol. and i saw this so i tried it out and i actually like it. i usually do the interval setting between 10 and 5 (it moves it up and down for you every couple of minutes).

megsmom2

I like both of them...but my knees complain when I use the treadmill.