Looking into buying an Elliptical Trainer or Treadmill.

totallydevious
totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, so I have a ProForm recumbent exercise bike and I've been faithfully using but I am looking into buying an Elliptical Trainer or Treadmill so I can switch between the two, and hopefully not get bored with exercising. My question is, should I go for an Elliptical Trainer or a Treadmill? I can afford either at the moment but I want to know which people prefer? I know some have problems with Elliptical Trainers because of the stride but I don't think that would be a problem for me because I am rather short. I would just like input on how people like theirs, or even if they had both and which one they prefer to use more.

Replies

  • Babsvii
    Babsvii Posts: 177 Member
    i did a lot of research when looking into which one to buy before i got my Treadmill and the verdict was that you burn more calories with the Treadmill... I have the Sole S77 and love it. Running on a treadmill is harder then using an elliptical.... i find the elliptical too easy like it almost helps me where i have to use my own legs on the treadmill. JMO
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    i did a lot of research when looking into which one to buy before i got my Treadmill and the verdict was that you burn more calories with the Treadmill... I have the Sole S77 and love it. Running on a treadmill is harder then using an elliptical.... i find the elliptical too easy like it almost helps me where i have to use my own legs on the treadmill. JMO

    Thank you, darling!
  • JodiWeakland
    JodiWeakland Posts: 8
    I have a tSmooth CE 3.6 and love it... It has a natural feeling stride (which they say is because the fly wheel is in the back)... The screen isn't very fancy, there's no cup holder, and my iPhone 4s doesn't fit into the jack - but I watch tv when working out and I'm fine with that... They were super great when delivering - I highly recommend (and no, I don't work for the company - just did a lot of research)... :)
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    I have a tSmooth CE 3.6 and love it... It has a natural feeling stride (which they say is because the fly wheel is in the back)... The screen isn't very fancy, there's no cup holder, and my iPhone 4s doesn't fit into the jack - but I watch tv when working out and I'm fine with that... They were super great when delivering - I highly recommend (and no, I don't work for the company - just did a lot of research)... :)

    Thank you for your input, darling. :D
  • MaintainCats
    MaintainCats Posts: 222 Member
    I have a treadmill but I would really prefer an elliptical. Treadmills burn more calories and are less expensive BUT you are much less likely to injure yourself on the elliptical. I have gotten hurt too many times on the treadmill so I barely use it now...if I run I do it outside where it is easier to have a natural gait. An injury can make it so you aren't able to do much of anything for awhile....and that isn't fun.
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    I have a treadmill but I would really prefer an elliptical. Treadmills burn more calories and are less expensive BUT you are much less likely to injure yourself on the elliptical. I have gotten hurt too many times on the treadmill so I barely use it now...if I run I do it outside where it is easier to have a natural gait. An injury can make it so you aren't able to do much of anything for awhile....and that isn't fun.

    I didn't think of that, thank you, darling. :D
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    some other choices are to buy a real bike and get one of those stands that you can use at home. the bike stays on the stand and you can cycle. plus you get the added benefit of being able to use the bike outdoors.

    i've been thinking of doing that because i have several cycling friends and they use the bike with their stand
  • OspreyVista
    OspreyVista Posts: 464 Member
    It depends on what your looking for and if you want a challenge. I'm 5'5" and I had an elliptical with a short stride length, and it was tiny enough to fit between my couch and TV. However, after a couple of months, it wasn't a challenge for me anymore even having it set at the highest resistance level. I recently got rid of it to buy a treadmill, and I'm glad that I did. I can still set my laptop up where I can watch shows while working out, and I get MUCH more of a challenge from it. I didn't think the stride length would be an issue when I first bought the elliptical, but in the end, it turned out it really was, because it wasn't challenging and so I got bored and stopped using it. IMO go for the treadmill, unless you can buy a really nice one that has a big stride length you can adjust and would be more challenging.
  • Fitness4Paul
    Fitness4Paul Posts: 166 Member
    I have always enjoyed an elliptical workout. I like that you can have a great cardio cross country skiing type stride then by raising the slope completely change the muscle groups you are working. Also with higher resistance you can use your arms and your core to keep your pace up. I work out every morning on my elliptical. I have a live strong 10.0e and really enjoy it. Great feel, lots of features, solid build and awesome American based customer service. PM me if you have any questions
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    some other choices are to buy a real bike and get one of those stands that you can use at home. the bike stays on the stand and you can cycle. plus you get the added benefit of being able to use the bike outdoors.

    i've been thinking of doing that because i have several cycling friends and they use the bike with their stand

    My neighbor did this!
    I secodn that.

    I hate ellipticals - kind of pointless.

    At least with a treadmill, you can walk & jog/run plus the various inclines. You can also walk backwards or sideways on a treadmill (at a slower pace obviously) to hit muscles differently.
  • olyabe
    olyabe Posts: 36
    I prefer stairmasters for cardio because it is easier to watch TV from a stationary position. My head is more stable! And they take way less space, especially the new models. And apart from treadmill, it is the only machine I know that forces you yo maintain set pace. No phoning in possible.

    But if you don't know what you prefer, get a trial gym membership and check out all types of machines in a couple weeks.

    Craigslist rules for exercise equipment. I got a 6 month old stairmaster for $400 because the owner had some bs excuse why she could not use it anymore! Retails for close to 2K.
  • WAHMto5
    WAHMto5 Posts: 375 Member
    I have both and prefer my treadmill much more over the elptical. Like someone said I would check Craigslist. They are soo much less for one just like new!
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    Thank you all for your input. :D
  • 2horsestoride
    2horsestoride Posts: 37 Member
    I have a Sole E98 Elliptical. I LOVE it. I had a treadmill and hated it - I found it so boring compared to the elliptical.
  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    Don't spend money on a treadmill, just go outside and run
  • baileysmom4
    baileysmom4 Posts: 242 Member
    I burn twice as many calories on my elliptical and its much easier on my joints.
  • janeite1990
    janeite1990 Posts: 671 Member
    My husband had a Stairmaster and got an elliptical. He needed the low impact machines for his knee (two ACL replacements). I hated the Stairmaster because I'm short. When I needed the intense levels my knees were up to my chin.

    I love our Precor elliptical. I use it daily. I've made a lot of progress on the incline and resistance, but I haven't maxed it out, and I can't imagine that I will. I have it in front of a big TV. It isn't too loud, and I like being able to back-pedal it.

    Good luck!
  • Sofitin2013
    Sofitin2013 Posts: 39
    some other choices are to buy a real bike and get one of those stands that you can use at home. the bike stays on the stand and you can cycle. plus you get the added benefit of being able to use the bike outdoors.

    i've been thinking of doing that because i have several cycling friends and they use the bike with their stand

    My neighbor did this!
    I secodn that.

    I hate ellipticals - kind of pointless.

    At least with a treadmill, you can walk & jog/run plus the various inclines. You can also walk backwards or sideways on a treadmill (at a slower pace obviously) to hit muscles differently.

    Umm...the speed you go on an elliptical is up to you, you can also change the resistance level and the incline as well as go backwards. It is also easier on your shins etc...

    I have lost over 25lb this year and we own an elliptical. I love it! :)
  • jriehl08
    jriehl08 Posts: 157 Member
    I would like to see the proof that you burn more calories on a treadmill over an elliptical. Everyone burns at a different rate based on weight, age and physical level. It also depends on how hard you push yourself. My wife burns more calories on the treadmill then I do but I burn more on the stationary bike then she does. It just depends on the person. I am getting an elliptical in the next few weeks for the pure fact that its not as hard on your body as a treadmill. I have seen a ton for 600+ 30 min burns on elliptical machines but have never seen a 30 min run for 600+ calories. Just me 2 cents
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    I think at this moment, after some independent research, I am leaning towards an Elliptical. :)
  • Fitness4Paul
    Fitness4Paul Posts: 166 Member
    I would like to see the proof that you burn more calories on a treadmill over an elliptical. Everyone burns at a different rate based on weight, age and physical level. It also depends on how hard you push yourself. My wife burns more calories on the treadmill then I do but I burn more on the stationary bike then she does. It just depends on the person. I am getting an elliptical in the next few weeks for the pure fact that its not as hard on your body as a treadmill. I have seen a ton for 600+ 30 min burns on elliptical machines but have never seen a 30 min run for 600+ calories. Just me 2 cents

    I do 450-550 on a 30min but I often stay on for a whole tv show 45-60 then my burn is upwards to 800-900. I measure with a heart rate monitor and basically shoot for 150-160 bpm which is the same as when I'm at cruising speed when I cycle.
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Elliptical all the way! The two actually burn about the same amount of calories over an hour, but the elliptical produces much better results IMHO. Get an elliptical with an incline and resistance so you can vary your workout. Plus a treadmill does not work your upper body like an elliptical does. Personally, the treatmill bores me silly. I feel like a hamster in a wheel. But on the elliptical, I can put in dance music, and the motion of your hips on the machine is more like dancing. Regardless, buy the one you are going to use.
  • soniabogonia
    soniabogonia Posts: 778 Member
    I love having my elliptical.

    I don't have to worry about bad weather or getting hit by a crazy and/or distracted driver.
  • jazzcat55
    jazzcat55 Posts: 164 Member
    We had a Proform treadmill for several years and used it a LOT. Last year we decided to get an elliptical because it's lower impact. We made an investment in a Cybex arc trainer. OMG, that thing can kick your *kitten*! So far I haven't gotten above resistance level 6, and it goes up to 20...which I can't even imagine!
  • Smoothtacular
    Smoothtacular Posts: 38 Member
    Might sound simple but whichever one you think you'll enjoy more I'd say, you'd be more likely to stick with it. Personally I bought a treadmill when I started mainly because I was embarassed to walk outside. That seems silly to me now but I don't regret the investment since it got me moving which is the important thing
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Might sound simple but whichever one you think you'll enjoy more I'd say, you'd be more likely to stick with it. Personally I bought a treadmill when I started mainly because I was embarassed to walk outside. That seems silly to me now but I don't regret the investment since it got me moving which is the important thing

    Yup. +1 million.
  • totallydevious
    totallydevious Posts: 309 Member
    Thank you all for your input. :D
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    I burn twice as many calories on my elliptical and its much easier on my joints.

    this. i have both an elliptical and treadmill. feel like i get so much more out of my elliptical workouts. and my knees are whack! so the elliptical is much better for me. i do enjoy the occasional walk on my treadmill, but usually increase the incline to boost the workout.

    purchased one from a neighbor who was moving and one off craigslist.

    i am hoping a bike stand is my next purchase.
  • FORIANN
    FORIANN Posts: 273 Member
    I use a heart rate monitor (2 different ones for different purposes) and I can burn a lot more calories on the elliptical while it's also low impact. Whatever does it for you...but I will say that while I own an elliptical I use a gym a few times a week and MOST people keep the resistance far too low to be very beneficial.

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