Treadmills vs. Elliptical Trainers

dosesr4winners20
dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
I will only have space for one of these in my new apartment. I love to walk and the treadmill forces me to keep pace because it moves on its own. The elliptical does burn more cals quicker though. The bottom line is that both machines offer great benefits to working out, if you actual use either machine it will do wonders for your health and overall fitness.

I am limited on space and budget wise (most likely buying a gently used one on cl.com).

Which one would you choose?

Thanks <33 Christina
«1

Replies

  • cocolo89
    cocolo89 Posts: 1,169 Member
    I will only have space for one of these in my new apartment. I love to walk and the treadmill forces me to keep pace because it moves on its own. The elliptical does burn more cals quicker though. The bottom line is that both machines offer great benefits to working out, if you actual use either machine it will do wonders for your health and overall fitness.

    I am limited on space and budget wise (most likely buying a gently used one on cl.com).

    Which one would you choose?

    Thanks <33 Christina

    i have a treadmill, but would much better have an elliptical. plus it's more compact since your in an apartment :))
  • carocarito
    carocarito Posts: 6
    I love my elliptical, burn more calories and its easy on my knees :)
  • georgiag111
    georgiag111 Posts: 424
    I just had that same issue and went Elliptical
  • JCPruitt
    JCPruitt Posts: 53
    have you used them before--sounds like it. Which do you prefer? The one you like the most is the one you will use more.
  • ♥xenawarriorprincess♥
    ♥xenawarriorprincess♥ Posts: 440 Member
    Elliptical for sure...burns a lot of calories and really is much gentler on your knees.
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    have you used them before--sounds like it. Which do you prefer? The one you like the most is the one you will use more.

    I agree with this statement, but you can always run outside!!
  • wearystar
    wearystar Posts: 72 Member
    personally, i have bad joins and get bad shin splints so i love the elliptical. when they came out they were advertised on the sole fact that they took off the pressure of running, since your feet are pounding down less- i find this, years later- to be true
    i suggest going to the gym and trying them both out to see which you personally prefer.
  • genie98
    genie98 Posts: 62
    Love our elliptical! We had both but found out we use the elliptical more and is much easier on our knees and I have a bad one.
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I have treadmill at home (very old, I have had for years), if I were to replace it I woud go eliptical, I like the arm work etc that you can do with it as well as when I crank up the resistance (at the gym) I can feel muscles working that don't work when walking.
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    have you used them before--sounds like it. Which do you prefer? The one you like the most is the one you will use more.

    I have used them both and noticed I do prefer the treadmill only b/c i can incline walk ( in south florida there are no hills lol) or jog or run. but the elliptical seems more compact and more effective - i dread them though!
  • birdlover97111
    birdlover97111 Posts: 346 Member
    ELLIPTICAL....100% better than a treadmill...More calories burned plus, no impact on the joints... :flowerforyou:
  • ohwhataday
    ohwhataday Posts: 1,398 Member
    :heart: my elliptical!!
  • MrsChristinaG
    MrsChristinaG Posts: 42
    Hey my name is also christina! I would get the eliptical. I would get it because its a lot easier on the knees and I don't feel like I could get "thrown" off lol. Also, because I've always been heavy, my knees bend inwards >< like that lol, so walking in a "straight line" can be dificult for me. Pick the one that YOU feel most comfortable on, physically, and that can yield the highest results without sacrificing comfort. Afterall, you need to like to do it or it wont get done. i.e. It would be a bad purchase for ME to buy a stairmaster, ALTHOUGH it does burn TONS of calories, but because I dislike the machine, and it hurts for me to use, its not a smart option for ME.
  • shannonkk
    shannonkk Posts: 192 Member
    I have both and unless you are on the bottom floor, your neighbors are going to complain. My treadmill folds up and my elliptical does not. I love the elliptical more though and I think it might make less noise..
  • starracer23
    starracer23 Posts: 1,011 Member
    another vote for the elliptical... :D
  • kiawya
    kiawya Posts: 73
    I LOVE the elliptical! way better workout! Soooo much easier on the knees!
  • BRoth1987
    BRoth1987 Posts: 39
    I hate the elliptical... I'd go with treadmill
  • Elle_Jamaicangirl81
    Elle_Jamaicangirl81 Posts: 418 Member
    Elliptical...
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    Hey my name is also christina! I would get the eliptical. I would get it because its a lot easier on the knees and I don't feel like I could get "thrown" off lol. Also, because I've always been heavy, my knees bend inwards >< like that lol, so walking in a "straight line" can be dificult for me. Pick the one that YOU feel most comfortable on, physically, and that can yield the highest results without sacrificing comfort. Afterall, you need to like to do it or it wont get done. i.e. It would be a bad purchase for ME to buy a stairmaster, ALTHOUGH it does burn TONS of calories, but because I dislike the machine, and it hurts for me to use, its not a smart option for ME.

    this is a great point. I'm not too heavy to really aviod either of them. i know i can walk outside but w SoFlo humidy and constant rains i just don't and I do prefer walking over eplliptical. I think i have my answer.
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    I hate the elliptical... I'd go with treadmill

    i agree w this. i just dread it!! LOL
  • birdlover97111
    birdlover97111 Posts: 346 Member
    A couple of more thoughts on the elliptical....Make sure you get one with magnetic resistance...Also, do your research before you purchase...Google the make and model number of the ones you might be interested in and look at the customer reviews...Some may have a top brand name, but are built like crap....
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    I love the tr. but the ell. is awesome! You can always go out and walk. :)
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    I have both and unless you are on the bottom floor, your neighbors are going to complain. My treadmill folds up and my elliptical does not. I love the elliptical more though and I think it might make less noise..

    I rent privately like half a duplex. noise isn't an issue. good point though!
  • sthompson29
    sthompson29 Posts: 3
    I don't own either, but I go to the gym and I don't find that the elliptical burns more calories for me. I set my treadmil on a 10 incline and walk at 4 mph and burn more calories than I do on the elliptical for the same amount of time. Maybe I am not putting the elliptical on the right settings... IDK, but I like the treadmill more.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    I'd get a kettlebell, and do my running outside. Wait... That's exactly what I do
  • Suzy12
    Suzy12 Posts: 284
    Well I'm in the minority here but my votes goes to the treadmill. No one walks or runs with their knees not touching. It's actually been known to cause stress fractures. I found I had more joint issues on the elliptical, so treadmill is the way to go for me.
  • mcottle292
    mcottle292 Posts: 60
    have you used them before--sounds like it. Which do you prefer? The one you like the most is the one you will use more.

    I have used them both and noticed I do prefer the treadmill only b/c i can incline walk ( in south florida there are no hills lol) or jog or run. but the elliptical seems more compact and more effective - i dread them though!

    I was going to say elliptical...but based on you saying you "dread" them...I am gonna say treadmill. You don't wanna waste your money on something you may not use.
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    I'd get a kettlebell, and do my running outside. Wait... That's exactly what I do

    LOL! love the pic too!
  • sesecat
    sesecat Posts: 124 Member
    Elliptical!
  • lindsyrox
    lindsyrox Posts: 257 Member
    I have both and always go back to the treadmill since it seems to work more muslces overall. BUT like others have said you can always run outside if you want.

    My problem with the elliptical is two part:
    First - I don't trust the calorie burn rates on the machines I never feel as exhausted after an elliptical workout as I do on the treadmill (plus i feel like i'm only working my giant thighs!)
    Second - the elliptical really limits my stride, i have long legs and the elliptical puts your legs in a set oval course of movement so if anythign make sure you really try out the elliptical first becasue they all have different heights and lengths of stride and one that is too short sucks.

    theres my two cents.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories