Elliptical vs. Treadmill

whatever you do with more intensity will burn more calories.

Treadmill will burn more calories depending on the intensity you go at.
If you plan to walk on the treadmill, you're better off using the elliptical. But if you plan to jog/run, then the treadmill has the greater burn. If you look at any calorie burning site it will tell you the same.
You require a good stretch, warm up and cool down session on the treadmill though, so don't skip on that to save time. Your joints will thank you.
And good shoes are needed.

I'd suggest testing the 2 with a HRM. Neither one will accurately calculate calories burned.

whatever you do with more intensity will burn more calories.

This.

I can happily go 40 mins on the elliptical, I will hot and out of breath but if I was to jog for 30 minutes on the treadmill I would be dripping in sweat and very out of breath. But guess it would depend on what intensity you were doing either at.

If you want to start running do the following...Go to a running store get fitted for proper shoes (your feet, joints and body will thank you...) and then I suggest starting with a couch to 5k program if you are just starting out running.

Also, depending on your knee issues...I have a knee that hates me, it's gotten better with every pound I've lost.

This, exactly. I run on the treadmill and am transitioning to outside. The more the weight comes off, the better my knee feels. They are two different ducks though. Much easier running on the treadmill. Couch to 5K is the way to begin. Good luck.

I have been exercising for 4 weeks now! I have only been using the elliptical from 30-40 minutes somewhere between level 1 and level 5. I am wondering if I would get a better calorie burn using the treadmill? I really want to start running, but I am nervous about not burning as many calories. Plus, I am doctoring a knee back to health. Just curious if anyone else has been in a similar spot or if anyone has any words of wisdom to provide... Thank you!

Is there somewhere you can run outside?

Here's what I found (my own personal experience)...I struggle running on a treadmill. I usually do 30-35 minutes of hills at level 5 running 5.0 mph (12 minute mile). I'm learning proper form, but at least at first, it caused a lot of shock to my hips and knees...Elliptical, now that I could do all day long. Others explained it to me like this: On the elliptical, you have momentum working for you. Once you get the pedals going...they kind of go on their own and your legs move with it (you do have to keep moving or they will slow down and eventually stop), but there's that-so it's easier and probably doesn't burn as much.

There's a world of difference in how it feels running on a treadmill vs running outside. I definitely feel I burn more running outside and I also enjoy it a lot more. The scenery changes...hills are much more random...trail running is becoming my new favorite thing.

If you're talking strictly calories, I think running has a bit of an edge on the elliptical. However, if you are nursing an injury right now, probably best to take it easy until it fully heals.

I've had better luck on the elliptical (I have a bad knee, too). It's easier on my joints and I can really get a good pace going. If you go at a steady, almost fast pace, and don't use the handles, you can achieve running on the elliptical (imho). The elliptical I use also has settings (like going backwards [hard!], going up and down hills, getting a higher heart rate, etc.). You can always try running on a treadmill for a week and see what you think. You can always go back to the elliptical.

Treadmill is useless once your body gets use to it, all you'll achieve is wearing you feet out, if you jog you can get some benefit but you'd be better off walking and running in a real world location. Elliptical on the other hand works your whole body far more so, and also riding a bike is an excellent whole body workout that burns considerably more calories then you could on a treadmill in less time.

This, exactly. I run on the treadmill and am transitioning to outside. The more the weight comes off, the better my knee feels. They are two different ducks though. Much easier running on the treadmill. Couch to 5K is the way to begin. Good luck.

I have always run outside and I find it is MUCH easier to run outside. The stead y pace of the treadmill has me winded before I ever hit a mile. Outside I can speed up and slow down as my body requires it and I can run 3.1 in under 30 minutes. On the treadmill I struggle to get to 2 miles.

This, exactly. I run on the treadmill and am transitioning to outside. The more the weight comes off, the better my knee feels. They are two different ducks though. Much easier running on the treadmill. Couch to 5K is the way to begin. Good luck.

I have always run outside and I find it is MUCH easier to run outside. The stead y pace of the treadmill has me winded before I ever hit a mile. Outside I can speed up and slow down as my body requires it and I can run 3.1 in under 30 minutes. On the treadmill I struggle to get to 2 miles.

I never could understand why the treadmill was so much more difficult, but that makes so much sense! (Of course, I also hate working out in the stuffy gym, no matter what I'm doing.)

OP -- also wanted to add that you will use some different muscles running vs. elliptical, so it's a good idea to do both. And the elliptical helps a LOT with endurance, so you will probably find running easier than you expect.

This, exactly. I run on the treadmill and am transitioning to outside. The more the weight comes off, the better my knee feels. They are two different ducks though. Much easier running on the treadmill. Couch to 5K is the way to begin. Good luck.

I have always run outside and I find it is MUCH easier to run outside. The stead y pace of the treadmill has me winded before I ever hit a mile. Outside I can speed up and slow down as my body requires it and I can run 3.1 in under 30 minutes. On the treadmill I struggle to get to 2 miles.

I never could understand why the treadmill was so much more difficult, but that makes so much sense! (Of course, I also hate working out in the stuffy gym, no matter what I'm doing.)

OP -- also wanted to add that you will use some different muscles running vs. elliptical, so it's a good idea to do both. And the elliptical helps a LOT with endurance, so you will probably find running easier than you expect.

The reason, I find, that it is easier to run on a treadmill has more to do with my knee. It's more of a cushioned surface. When I run outside, I have to run on the road or a nearby track (asphalt). It puts more pressure on my knee and that causes some pain. When I run on a softer surface (grass or dirt road), it feels better. As I lose more weight, I'm sure that will change. The pace is not the issue. It's the surface.

Do both! 20 treadmill and 20 Elliptical.

But ultimately, you want to graduate to the dreaded STAIRMILL.