Treadmill or elliptical?

ds6099
ds6099 Posts: 98 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm still back and forth between a treadmill and an elliptical. Can I have your input? I'd like a good calorie burn.
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Replies

  • ds6099
    ds6099 Posts: 98 Member
    In regards to purchasing one.
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    Just do the one you like the most. Adherence to exercise over the long term is the best calorie burn.
  • slinke2014
    slinke2014 Posts: 149 Member
    yep, whichever one you like. I stick with treadmills because ellipticals make my feet go numb. Just a personal preference
  • MsJulesRenee
    MsJulesRenee Posts: 1,180 Member
    edited August 2015
    My opinion - I don't like home ellipticals compared to a very nice one you would find at a gym. The stride is too short for me and hurts my knees/numbs my feet, I'm only 5'6". I bought a good one so I didn't have to go to the gym on snowy days and the stride was still too short. Bought it on a whim so that was my fault :blush: Went back to my gym membership. Never owned a treadmill.
  • earthnut
    earthnut Posts: 216 Member
    If you have a preference for one, id pick elliptical. You burn more calories in more time with less effort. Plus you can always go running outside for free. :)
  • BrigDoggD
    BrigDoggD Posts: 1 Member
    I like the elliptical best, if it's the right one. Some are harder than others. I like the smooth ones.
  • hotasfire36
    hotasfire36 Posts: 235 Member
    Elliptical
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    edited August 2015
    I choose death
  • Immerito
    Immerito Posts: 105 Member
    Neither. A rowing machine offers a better calorie burn.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I've been happy with my high quality True treadmill since 2002. It has been reliable, quiet, and I can read on my Kindle. Most of all, I don't usually dread using it. And I can make it easy or as hard as I like.
  • Brin1956
    Brin1956 Posts: 168 Member
    Pick one by how you like it. Try them both, I know a lot of people do not like the Elliptical. How about a stationary recumbent bike?
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    Immerito wrote: »
    Neither. A rowing machine offers a better calorie burn.

    Yes, so does HIIT, strength training, etc..........I love the practice of crowbarring ones self into a "this or that" question with an answer to the question that is not an answer to the question.

    [Steps down from soapbox] For my money, I would go with an elliptical. I've done treadmill workouts with an incline and weights, but I always seem to get a better calorie burn on an elliptical with mild to moderate resistance.
  • theawill519
    theawill519 Posts: 242 Member
    Elliptical. You can walk outside. You can't ellipse outside.
  • hamptontom
    hamptontom Posts: 536 Member
    Thea519 wrote: »
    Elliptical. You can walk outside. You can't ellipse outside.

    and yet, now i can't seem to shake the mental image of someone trying. ideally dressed like an Amish farmer. :)
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    Thea519 wrote: »
    Elliptical. You can walk outside. You can't ellipse outside.

    They do make elliptical bicycles, which is a trip to watch someone ride.

  • theawill519
    theawill519 Posts: 242 Member
    hamptontom wrote: »
    Thea519 wrote: »
    Elliptical. You can walk outside. You can't ellipse outside.

    and yet, now i can't seem to shake the mental image of someone trying. ideally dressed like an Amish farmer. :)
    LOL :D
    jeremywm1977 wrote: »
    Thea519 wrote: »
    Elliptical. You can walk outside. You can't ellipse outside.

    They do make elliptical bicycles, which is a trip to watch someone ride.

    I just watched a promo vid for the "Street Strider" on Youtube... O my! :D
  • whiteblossom14
    whiteblossom14 Posts: 240 Member
    Yes a elliptical burns more calories but I find I can only go on one for about 40 mins then my feet really hurt and go numb. I have a treadmill I get lost in my books and time passes quicker. But at the end of the day it's what you want. If you have a treadmill that inclines you can burn just as much calories
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    repsrequired wrote: »
    Yes a elliptical burns more calories but I find I can only go on one for about 40 mins then my feet really hurt and go numb.

    I was having a similar issue, and then I switched shoes to my running shoes. I was wearing basketball style tennis shoes previously. Once I switched to running shoes (lightweight, breathable mesh style) the pain and numbness went away. That's just my experience...results may vary.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    DavPul wrote: »
    I choose death

    I choose cake.
  • whiteblossom14
    whiteblossom14 Posts: 240 Member
    jeremywm1977 wrote: »
    repsrequired wrote: »
    Yes a elliptical burns more calories but I find I can only go on one for about 40 mins then my feet really hurt and go numb.

    I was having a similar issue, and then I switched shoes to my running shoes. I was wearing basketball style tennis shoes previously. Once I switched to running shoes (lightweight, breathable mesh style) the pain and numbness went away. That's just my experience...results may vary.
    I went into a sports shop told them my problem they gave me new lightweight mesh ones but they didn't help I was a lot of money down and still sore feet!! Maybe I just have funny feet
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    edited August 2015
    The calorie burn will depend on your weight, duration and intensity. Notwithstanding your weight will be wherever it is and your intensity will be the same, then you are going to burn more on the piece of equipment you use the most i.e the one you enjoy the most. Try them at the gym.

    My choice would be a concept 2 rower, even 2nd hand they keep their value so you could resell easily and they are reliable. Its worth considering.

    Notwisthanding mr jeremywm1977 edict. ps over medium to long term then hiit is unlikely to burn more calories. Strength does not burn more calories. hate away dude.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,213 Member
    999tigger wrote: »

    My choice would be a concept 2 rower, even 2nd hand they keep their value so you could resell easily and they are reliable. Its worth considering.

    Yeah, that, assuming you learn to use it correctly (the Concept 2 web site helps). Uses more body parts than either elliptical or treadmill.
  • italysharon
    italysharon Posts: 195 Member
    We ended up buying a treadmill because you can fold it up, which is a big perk. The elipticals that I have seen take up a huge amount of room. My husband and I are big runners but this is always our 'Plan B' because neither of us particularly like running on the dreadmill. But with kids, hot, hot summers and seriously snowy winters it has saved me from turning into a ball of jello. Good luck!
  • dancingj2
    dancingj2 Posts: 4,572 Member
    I have both and I find I use the treadmill much more than the elliptical. The treadmill seems to give me a better work out and a better burn. The elliptical motion seems weird at times. However the elliptical never bothers my knee.

    If I had to pick one it would def be the treadmill.

    Whichever you choose, def put a TV in front of it. That does more for getting my work out in than anything else.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Going for the non option - rowing machine.
    More technical, yes, but also a much better work out. If I was going to get a piece of equipment in my home, that would be my choice.

    Cheers, h.
    Of to check the price on the local used sites.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    I am preferring my elliptical over my treadmill for training lately. I like the low impact as a relief from my high impact days. I also like that I have to push hard to at an increased resistance. It just feels like I am working my muscles more while getting in my cardio.

    My climate allows me to run outside year round. But it is nice to set the treadmill on a challenge setting (I think of it as a coach) making me run harder to keep the pace (or not fall off).

    In my case, if I had to choose one over the other, elliptical would be my choice (at the moment). My model fits my stride perfectly. There are many models out there that are awkward so it is wise to try them out before buying.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    I have a Water Rower too. It sprung a leak so it's up against the wall mother *kitten*. I also would consider a Concept rower as an alternative to a treadmill or elliptical. But, I think if you are sitting all day, you may want to be on your feet when exercising. I used my rower more in circuits than on its own.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    I have decided that I like the elliptical better because there's no impact to my knees. I also use my arms on it, but not on the treadmill. Are those factors for you?
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    DavPul wrote: »
    I choose death

    I choose cake.

    But you can have both. cake now. death later :D
  • christineja
    christineja Posts: 22 Member
    Everyone says ellipticals are low-impact and therefore better for your knees, but they make mine hurt. I love my treadmill. It's over 100 where I am so I'm all about the a/c and tv is a huge plus. I get hooked on a series and off I go. I mix up inclines and speeds so I feel like I get a good workout.

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