Treadmill vs. Elliptical

Cindy393
Cindy393 Posts: 268 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
In your opinion, which is better, and why?
«1

Replies

  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    I prefer the Arc Trainer. Less impact than treadmill and burns more calories than both.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    outdoors.


    but if you have leg/knee problems, and are looking to get cardio in without aggravating any injuries, then elliptical.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Switch it up; do them all.
  • JolieJemmaMomma
    JolieJemmaMomma Posts: 54 Member
    Been wondering this myself. i have a treadmil but see everyone burning 2 x's the calories with ellipticals.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    treadmill...it usually weighs more...

    which was intended as a joke to say "neither" with a meathead vibe to it....which no one would get and would be just a stupid reply...

    so instead, scoff at me making fun of myself and lack of a witty sense of humor.

    I need therapy...fml.
  • fiona2785
    fiona2785 Posts: 82
    Personally prefer elliptical, but purely because I tend to have tendon issues in my lower legs and it's much lower impact.
  • propelrunrebel
    propelrunrebel Posts: 21
    Treadmill. Elliptical is too easy for me. Good for light days, days where my legs can't handle impact or days after leg days. I prefer, rather than either one, to run outside. You notice things you don't notice when driving, and it makes you appreciate how pretty nature is (depending on where you choose to run!). But I feel that I get so much more out of the treadmill than the elliptical, more time well spent.
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Running is the best for me, but I cannot stand running on a treadmill since I switched to track running. I get bored and lose motivation so quickly.
    So usually I run around the track or outdoors. Sometimes I hop on the elliptical if I feel like watching a show and nobody else is in that area of the gym (hurray, control of the remote!)
  • Kitship
    Kitship Posts: 579 Member
    Elliptical for me. I have been burning upwards of 400 calories in 30 minutes on them!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Better in what way? What are you hoping to achieve?
    Different exercises with different benefits.
  • ChristyP0303
    ChristyP0303 Posts: 212 Member
    I prefer the elliptical mainly because its more entertaining for me. However, it makes my feet numb and cramp up so I cant stay on it long. Then I switch back to treadmill.
  • AmbieSweetz
    AmbieSweetz Posts: 72 Member
    My eilliptical kicks my *kitten*..... Love it, couldn't live without it! Miss her right now!
  • phillips0911
    phillips0911 Posts: 41
    Arc trainer. SO much better and easier on the knees. I love it. Second is the treadmill because I like to walk.
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    depends what you're going for. I'm training for a marathon, so obviously the elliptical isn't the best option for me.

    What are you goals? What do you want to do? are you buying or going to a gym?
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    elliptical. No impact on the joints. Most also let you work the upper body too.
    There is another type, I think it is the arc, that has more degrees of movement. Circular to vertical climb simulator. Variable stride too.
  • Cindy393
    Cindy393 Posts: 268 Member
    Better in what way? What are you hoping to achieve?
    Different exercises with different benefits.

    I'm just wondering for fat-burning purposes, and of course toning. I have both machines at home, and can usually burn around 500 cal in 60 minutes on my treadmill. We just got the elliptical. I was just wondering which people preferred, and why.
  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    I like both. I depends on my mood which machine I want to get on that day!
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    treadmill...it usually weighs more...

    which was intended as a joke to say "neither" with a meathead vibe to it....which no one would get and would be just a stupid reply...

    so instead, scoff at me making fun of myself and lack of a witty sense of humor.

    I need therapy...fml.

    Your friday is going the same direction as mine it seems! TGIF!!
  • suzywuzy90
    suzywuzy90 Posts: 20 Member
    In your opinion, which is better, and why?

    I can burn off more and with less pain on the elliptical.
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    Better in what way? What are you hoping to achieve?
    Different exercises with different benefits.

    I'm just wondering for fat-burning purposes, and of course toning. I have both machines at home, and can usually burn around 500 cal in 60 minutes on my treadmill. We just got the elliptical. I was just wondering which people preferred, and why.

    In that case, neither :) I like running outside
  • ggcat
    ggcat Posts: 313 Member
    Switch it up; do them all.

    Exactly!
  • BMcC9
    BMcC9 Posts: 4,451 Member
    In your opinion, which is better, and why?

    Can we have a bit of context for the question? :ohwell: Because when you get right down to it .... there is only ONE Best Exercise machine in the world ... and it is

    :bigsmile: :bigsmile: The One You Consistently Use . :bigsmile: :bigsmile: (so "which ever one you are most drawn to" is The Correct Answer .... for no other reason than "because you are drawn to it"

    Are you asking because you might buy one or the other? Wondering if the one you Don't use as often at the gym might up your burn? Just conducting an interest pole?

    But Captain Apollo is right about elipticals being less impact if physio considerations are a factor.
  • rwhawkes
    rwhawkes Posts: 117 Member
    Definitely the elliptical because it's easier on my knees and ankles. I also find the stationary bikes at our gym to really wear me out using their various programs - lately I like the interval training.

    I also found that the treadmill helps you move so that when you hit real turf it's a lot different.
  • BeSophisticate
    BeSophisticate Posts: 132
    Elliptical. I can't run at all due to a previously shattered ankle. Plus, the ellipticals at my gym automatically adjust the level to maintain target heart rate without going over. I've been doing it long enough now that my elliptical workout is now like running through sand. So, while I can't actually run, it's about as close an approximation as I can get.

    And I hate bikes.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    [/quote]

    I'm just wondering for fat-burning purposes, and of course toning. I have both machines at home, and can usually burn around 500 cal in 60 minutes on my treadmill. We just got the elliptical. I was just wondering which people preferred, and why.
    [/quote]

    You should be able to burn more calories per hour on the elliptical machine as you can use upper body muscles as well. I managed 903 calories in an hour this week on an elliptical machine.
    Ideally use both, mix it up. I have damaged knees and back so often can't use a treadmill.
  • BMcC9
    BMcC9 Posts: 4,451 Member
    Better in what way? What are you hoping to achieve?
    Different exercises with different benefits.

    I'm just wondering for fat-burning purposes, and of course toning. I have both machines at home, and can usually burn around 500 cal in 60 minutes on my treadmill. We just got the elliptical. I was just wondering which people preferred, and why.

    IF both are available at home, and joint issue isn't part of the equation, then time will quickly show which is best on a given day depending on mood / available distraction (one may be better for "autopilot days" than the other one) / day in your training cycle etc. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • Cindy393
    Cindy393 Posts: 268 Member
    In your opinion, which is better, and why?

    Can we have a bit of context for the question? :ohwell: Because when you get right down to it .... there is only ONE Best Exercise machine in the world ... and it is

    :bigsmile: :bigsmile: The One You Consistently Use . :bigsmile: :bigsmile: (so "which ever one you are most drawn to" is The Correct Answer .... for no other reason than "because you are drawn to it"

    Are you asking because you might buy one or the other? Wondering if the one you Don't use as often at the gym might up your burn? Just conducting an interest pole?

    But Captain Apollo is right about elipticals being less impact if physio considerations are a factor.

    love this one--and yes, I tend to use my treadmill alot more. I do have both at home, and as I said, just got the elliptical a few weeks ago. This was more or less to conduct an 'interesting poll', but I still was interested in seeing who thought they burned more on one or the other. Also, an FYI-I'm not up to the running bit yet. Hope to be soon tho!
  • BeSophisticate
    BeSophisticate Posts: 132
    I prefer the elliptical mainly because its more entertaining for me. However, it makes my feet numb and cramp up so I cant stay on it long. Then I switch back to treadmill.

    Ha! I get the dead feet too. My solution is to do a half hour in the morning and a half hour after work so I'm not doing the full hour all at once. I also lean back as far as I can so my weight is over my heels for 30 seconds every 5 minutes.
  • gdrmuzak
    gdrmuzak Posts: 103 Member
    I prefer the elliptical because it's easier on my knees and back. On top of that, I burn more calories.
  • Asprina
    Asprina Posts: 5
    I absolutely love my eliptical. Treadmills hurt my feet and I have been told by my podiatrist to not get on them. It would be better to do your walking/running outside then on there. I get such a good workout on my elliptical though, I push myself to keep increasing the resistance while still going at the same rpms trying to improve and go harder each time I get on it. I make sure it's not just an easy workout. I have also used the arc at the gym and that thing is awesome but since I haven't been going to the gym and can't afford to buy my own... I'll keep using my eliptical for now. :)

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