treadmill or elliptical trainer

bassaniobroke
bassaniobroke Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
If you have to make choice between treadmill or elliptical trainer which one you would prefer? and why? appreciate your inputs. Thanks
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Replies

  • BreatheAshley
    BreatheAshley Posts: 130 Member
    Treadmill because I can do a lot more on a treadmill than an elliptical.
  • LeahFerri
    LeahFerri Posts: 186 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.
  • jrcrmr
    jrcrmr Posts: 31 Member
    If you're looking to lose weight, it's hands down a treadmill...if you're just looking for cardio, both are great...as long as you push yourself hard on the elliptical (because the perceived effort is higher on the elliptical..so you actually have to push yourself more to get the same type of work out)...so cross training is great

    the only thing is that, of course, treadmill is much harder on the joints...but it is much better if you're just looking for calorie loss
  • jrcrmr
    jrcrmr Posts: 31 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

    you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    You can look into it, but I'm pretty sure ellipticals are easier on your knees, and burn more calories. I'd like to have one, but I already have a treadmill, and limited space. I do like my treadmill though, 'cuz I can do a leizurely walk, or run, plus it has automatic incline, which can really work my legs. ;)
  • saraM926
    saraM926 Posts: 8 Member
    I do both. Since the elliptical can hurt like hell only after a few minutes, I'll switch between the treadmill and the elliptical. I typically do about 20-30 on treadmill and 10 minutes on the elliptical. :)
  • rondaj05
    rondaj05 Posts: 497 Member
    In for the info!
  • MadTownD
    MadTownD Posts: 149 Member
    Would like to read more people's opinions... in for that. ????
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Elliptical is lower impact if you have bad knees it back. I burn about the same amount of calories on each with the same effort, i.e. heart rate in the same range.
  • pseudomuffin
    pseudomuffin Posts: 1,058 Member
    I like the elliptical because I can pretend I'm an astronaut running in space
  • bassaniobroke
    bassaniobroke Posts: 36 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.
    Stitches? dont understand ?
  • Canuname
    Canuname Posts: 182 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.
    Stitches? dont understand ?

    I think she means side stitches.
    http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/four-ways-stop-dreaded-side-stitch
  • annie61702
    annie61702 Posts: 120 Member
    I do the treadmill at the gym and have a Precor elliptical at home. I really do love my Precor! I think you can get a good workout on both. You just have to make sure you are keeping your heart rate in the target range. I just started doing intervals on the elliptical and like that.
  • Jaronfisher
    Jaronfisher Posts: 3 Member
    The elliptical all the way for me. Whether it's a treadmill or running out side, the impact causes my old knee injury to flare up in no time flat. Where with the elliptical I can go for as long as I feel like.
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    I prefer treadmill because elliptical feels so unnatural to me. Also, elliptical tends to wear out my knee way way faster than the treadmill does, even when treadmill is on an incline.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Can't freaking stand the elliptical. I'm pretty tall, and I haven't yet encountered one that was built with a big enough range of motion so that I don't feel like my legs are making midget circles.

    Treadmill is the easy choice here.

    I'd prefer neither though.
  • ricki011
    ricki011 Posts: 89 Member
    I prefer the treadmill. I can burn up to 800 calories in an hour and 15 mins doing a climb up to 12 % incline.
    Start at 2 and climb up every 5 mins. I've been doing this for some time and have built up endurance quite well.
    I now start at 4 and climb every 3 mins and increase speed by .3 until i hit 4.5 and 12 % incline.
    once i hit the top of my climb and start the decline and come back down on reverse and do my cool down on a flat treadmill.
    good workout.
  • fast_eddie_72
    fast_eddie_72 Posts: 719 Member
    Guess it depends on what you're trying to do. I run, so usually on a treadmill if I'm doing it inside. But I had a really messed up calf muscle and used the elliptical for a while to let it heal. It did work, so it certainly does seem to be a little less wear and tear on the body.

    There's another side of that coin though. The impact of running is the only thing that can prepare joints and muscles for, well, the impact of running. I know for me, my joints seem to have less pain when I'm running (counter to what some would suggest). So "no impact" may not be the panacea it's sometimes made out to be. The impact does seem to make joints, for lack of a better word, "stronger".

    Like most things - it depends.
  • FitFunTina
    FitFunTina Posts: 282 Member
    I used to be an elliptical junkie but after I started running I prefer the treadmill! Even when I'm not up for running, I can change the incline and feel like I'm mountain climbing and get a good workout in!

    That being said, our gym has AMTs (Adaptive Motion Trainer), that are similar to an elliptical but you control the stride as you go. It's a MUCH more effective workout than an elliptical (I can definitely feel the burn in my legs).
  • christopherphillips1983
    christopherphillips1983 Posts: 103 Member
    If I had to have one and only one, I'd pick the elliptical. I can run on the sidewalk if need be. I also burn a hell of a lot more calories on the elliptical than I do on the treadmill in the same period of time.
  • cutelizzyppacman
    cutelizzyppacman Posts: 6
    The elliptical is great if you have runner's knee or any type of leg injury. In the past (several years ago) when I started going to the gym, I could not jog at all. The treadmill was too intense for me (I thought I was going to die after a minute on it), the elliptical was fantastic for a workout. However over time it got boring and I felt it was not challenging me. I barely break a sweat no matter the intensity, and I felt ridiculous on it. That's when I went to the treadmill. It's more intense of a workout, and provides more benefits for me. I've been more fit and toned when I use the treadmill compared to the elliptical. I sweat more when I am on the treadmill and it's more of a challenge. So I feel like more work for me is done on the treadmill. I only use the elliptical if I have an injury or if something like the stair-master is occupied.

    Really the elliptical is great if you're starting out at the gym or have an injury (from my experience). I see this at the gym all of the time too. The more physically fit people gravitate towards the treadmill, while people starting out will usually pick the elliptical. Of course this is not always.
  • _tigerblood_
    _tigerblood_ Posts: 42 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

    you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more
    :noway:
  • skyfall91
    skyfall91 Posts: 74
    I love my treadmill at home. I can do different intervals and different workouts and I always feel hard worked after. Id like an elliptical but I dont have one (might get one in a few years if I still want one!)
  • jondoles
    jondoles Posts: 6 Member
    I use both, so it really depends on how much time I have. If my time is limited, I'd probably go elliptical as it works the entire body and I usually experience a greater calorie burn. I love to run on the treadmill too. It's a toss-up
  • angie007az
    angie007az Posts: 406 Member
    Treadmill because I already have one and walking is great for you. I have ordered a Bowflex to use to tone up my arms and back.
  • baileysmom4
    baileysmom4 Posts: 242 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

    you burn less calories on an elliptical...it just feels like more
    :noway:

    I can't agree less. I burn twice as many calories on an elliptical as a treadmill according to my HRM!
  • george7527
    george7527 Posts: 267 Member
    I prefer cross trainer can go as hard or slow as I want to but I do go out running
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I would choose elliptical because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. More calories burned, I actually use my arms, etc. Also, I'm a terrible runner. I haven't figured out how to avoid stitches (I know there are techniques, but they require concentration to master, and I usually zone out when I'm doing steady-state cardio), and I get all kinds of nasty shocks up my body when my feet strike.

    Plus if I want to walk or run, I'll just go outside.

    Stitches are usually a sign of breathing problems when running. If you learn to control your breathing then you can learn to get rid of the stitches when they come.
  • MissSarahAllison315
    MissSarahAllison315 Posts: 263 Member
    I do the elliptical because my knees are crap. UGH. I'd love to be a runner but after a week of slow running, my knees force me to stop. To keep it from being boring, I do intervals in both speed and resistance, always trying to keep my RPM's high! If I want to do the treadmill I'll up the incline and go at a fast walk! They're both! :smile:
  • OperationCombat
    OperationCombat Posts: 32
    I prefer running outside but when I do use the gym I use both. Not keen on treadmills but will do 35 mins (4 miles) then 25 mins on Elliptical trainer (2 miles). Burn more calories running but go with how fit you are and how comfortable you feel using the machines.

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