TREADMILL VS ELLIPTICAL WHICH IS BETTER?

I'm not an athlete, I don't want to be an athlete, and I use the elliptical to increase my calorie deficit. I don't care that the machine readout is inaccurate (actually, when I used one that did take weight, age, and heart rate into account, if said that I was burning *more* than the ones at my usual gym say without taking those things into account). I don't care that it doesn't mimic a real-life movement. I also do other kinds of exercise that build strength and/or are fun for me, but the elliptical I only use to burn calories. It succeeds at that. None of the holier-than-thou proclamations that some of you are making change that fact.

I don't know that one is better than the other as they both have positives and negatives. I really believe it's the physical activity that counts.

In a lot less words than I used - this!!

ffs, use whichever one you prefer. the machine you choose has no bearing on how much weight you're going to use. if you prefer the treadmill, use the damned treadmill.

You're allowed to do more than one thing! both have their advantages and disadvantages, do both. 15minutes on one 15 minutes on the other. change it up, mix and match.

I prefer the elliptical myself, it's less impact on the joints.

I put my machine on a medium resistance and do intervals of just going as fast as I can until I start feeling the ache in my legs then rest for about 10-30 seconds and go again. Just make sure you go at a sprint type speed I find this works for me and I'm always a hot mess after about 20-30 mins lol. Hope this helps!!

I dont think cardio gets any better than running.

Agree, running is great...but running and using a threadmill are completely different things.
Dynamic Indoor Rower is a great piece of equipment for cardio.

Thats true, but not everyone lives in a climate or area where its realistic to run outdoors every day.

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I honestly feel like I'm using more and getting tired way faster on the
Elliptical. I can run/do high pace intervals for a while on the treadmill
But 5 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical and I'm ready to call it a day.

Treadmill is better.

Prove it!!!


But seriously the better exercise is the one you prefer to do! That's all that matters!

Treadmill is better.

Prove it!!!


But seriously the better exercise is the one you prefer to do! That's all that matters!

I do what I want!!!

but seriously. I am a runner, so elliptical for me doesn't improve my running, were a treadmill will. I use it for training, not weight loss.

I dont think you should believe the machines as far as calories, get a HR monitor. Also, how "good" or "bad" your workout is doesnt necessarily have anything to do with burning more calories. I burn less calories strength training than i would circuit training or running on the treadmill, doesnt make strength training any less good, or less important. Feel me?

I would say the treadmill wins out in a competition for which is better, but i dont think that is universal.

If you have sensitive knees or are carrying much extra weight, i would say the elliptical is probably better because its a lighter impact exercise. So,. the elliptical would be BETTER for that person in that specific situation...

Also, (this may be you) if you are in good cardiovascular health and you have endurance, jogging might not tire you out as much as the elliptical because the elliptical has resistance and kind of doubles as a strength exercise. Try cranking the incline up on the treadmill? See how that goes.

For me, the elliptical is easier because my legs are fairly strong as far as the muscle situation but once i get on the treadmill and have to really engage that cardio affect it killlls me. So, I always do that because obviously it challenges me more and allows me to work on an aspect of my fitness that the other does not.

Hop on the treadmill on days youre tired or whatever and grab an elliptical when you want a real challenge. The elliptical is a better exercise for you.

Those are just my thoughts.

I just think you arent on it long enough. Get one of these.

Don't rely on the calorie burns on those machines--they're almost never correct. If you want a true calorie burn you'll need to invest in a simple heart rate monitor/watch combo. Look up Polar, they have some for less than $100. You need an accurate record of your heart rate, weight and height to get a real calorie burn reading and a HRM provides that.

As for the two machines--I used an elliptical a whole lot when I was at my heaviest to work up stamina/endurance before ever stepping foot on the t-mill. It trained me, technically, to begin running. I say both are good for exercise. It depends on the amount of effort/work you put into your workout on the machine and not which machine makes a better workout. Switch back and forth between the two, it's better for your health anyway because you'll be forced to use different muscles. Change up your workouts!

I think that the treadmill, by far, is a much better burn. I can basically Forrest Gump an elliptical and stay on it indefinitely, I run out of time before I run out of energy – I frequently see people reading books and magazines while using it!

The treadmill, on the other hand, provides me with a workout intensity that I don’t find on the elliptical, as long as I’m running a minimal speed and possibly adding an incline to the workout. And reading while running is next to impossible, you are working too hard!

I prefer the elliptical, I feel like I get a better workout & the treadmill tends to bore me