Buying a new piece of equipment. Pro and con help.

JillAnne0320
JillAnne0320 Posts: 21 Member
edited November 22 in Health and Weight Loss
I am getting ready to buy either a treadmill or elliptical I'm just not sure which one is better. Any pros or cons for one or the other would help. Thanks!

Replies

  • 7lenny7
    7lenny7 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Assuming you've used both in the past, buy the one that you most enjoy. Key to long term success is enjoying what you're doing. I had a stationary bike and never liked it, so I never used it. Now I run and love it, so it's likely something I'll do as long as my legs are able.
  • 40andFindingFitness
    40andFindingFitness Posts: 497 Member
    edited August 2015
    I agree with @7lenny7. I had the same choice to make earlier this year. I also made a pros and cons list. I chose to purchase the treadmill because I knew I'd stay on it longer.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    If you haven't tried them, try both and stick with each for a month before you choose.

    At the gym, at first, I liked the eliptical much more. It was easier and more fun. But now, I like the treadmills better!! WAY BETTER. The eliptical, after a few weeks...the thing hurt me. My joints hurt. It was a nightmare. It just didn't work out for me.

    I no longer use gym equipment, but I'd I did, it would be the treadmill.

    If you have already used them, though, just pick the one you like and go with it! :)
  • OldHobo
    OldHobo Posts: 647 Member
    I used to walk all over Memphis. In April broke a leg being run over on the sidewalk. Betwixt that, summer heat, and urban crime, I bought a treadmill. Now happily logging 3 miles a day in air conditioning. Traffic and crime risks considerably reduced.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Yeah I like the treadmill better... more flexible. Run, walk at an incline...
  • saraonly9913
    saraonly9913 Posts: 469 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Yeah I like the treadmill better... more flexible. Run, walk at an incline...
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Yeah I like the treadmill better... more flexible. Run, walk at an incline...

    I agree.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Treadmill cause it actually lets you do something that is real (ie running). This ensures you will be able to get away from the zombies when they attack.
  • LexDecember1988
    LexDecember1988 Posts: 176 Member
    elliptical, i hate it now! got boring..
  • Cocoa1020
    Cocoa1020 Posts: 197 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Treadmill cause it actually lets you do something that is real (ie running). This ensures you will be able to get away from the zombies when they attack.

    download zombies, RUN! It will Help you train more! :)
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    I would also choose the treadmill because I find running a much better workout than whatever that elliptical motion is (no matter how high I've set the resistance), provided the treadmill has an incline adjustment. I assume they all come with that now?

    I kind of found the elliptical to be like training wheels for running, honestly. Once I was fit enough to run I no longer found the elliptical very appealing or effective.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    From my professional opinion, I'd say a treadmill. Walking/running is something we do naturally. Elliptical isn't. Also, the stride length on an elliptical is usually set, so when moving faster some feel it unnatural. On a treadmill, running faster you stride length increases.

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  • Cocoa1020
    Cocoa1020 Posts: 197 Member
    peleroja wrote: »
    I would also choose the treadmill because I find running a much better workout than whatever that elliptical motion is (no matter how high I've set the resistance), provided the treadmill has an incline adjustment. I assume they all come with that now?

    I kind of found the elliptical to be like training wheels for running, honestly. Once I was fit enough to run I no longer found the elliptical very appealing or effective.

    I agree, the elliptical is a bit "easier" than the treadmill, i can last much much longer. but once i become a stronger runner I don't think the elliptical will do it for me. But it also depends on your body, Some people can't run because of their joints, there is no impact with the elliptical.
  • namelesshere
    namelesshere Posts: 334 Member
    Also, make sure you buy quality equipment. The treadmill I bought has a "cushion surface" to reduce impact. It also has a wider track than some as I was not comfortable on the narrow tracks. My stride also overstepped on a lot of the cheaper machines. Make sure the store will allow you at least 15 minutes on the demo model you are thinking of purchasing.
  • JillAnne0320
    JillAnne0320 Posts: 21 Member
    Thanks for the help. I have actually used both and liked the treadmill more but thought maybe I just wasn't giving the elliptical a fair chance. But after reading these I realize that maybe I did just get bored with the elliptical. It did at times feel unnatural but I thought maybe that was just me. I owned a treadmill before and used it everyday. It got broken when we moved and I just wanted to make sure I gave the elliptical a fair shake before I went with a treadmill again. Thank you all so much for your help with this.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    You really need to try them as suggested above. Id get a concept rower as an alternative if I had to buy one.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited August 2015
    I'd get a stationary bike bc it's usable through many kinds of injuries. Walking/running, you can just go outside, and it's probably better for your joints to do that anyway (more varied movements, different surfaces w different shock absorption). (Biking you can't always, depending on the injury.)
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