Elliptical vs. Treadmill

Depends on your own situation as regards which is better - Elliptical is better for me as less impact on knees and ankles - I also like the variety of programmes compared with a treadmill which only varies in speed and incline - and you can go into reverse mode which gets to other muscles.

However, the main reason I prefer the elliptical is because I have yet to fall off it!!! This has happened a couple of times with the treadmill - if I get the rythmn wrong I go flying!!!! :laugh:

I'm a runner, so naturally I prefer the treadmill. BUT, the elliptical puts a lot less stress on your joints, so a lot of people prefer that. If you like the elliptical better, put it on some resistance and maybe a hill setting (I like to do the "random hill" setting on my cross training days), and you can get quite the burn! Plus the elliptical machines that have the handles that move as well are great because you're pumping your arms too.

On the treadmill you can walk, run, or jog with or without an incline (or decline), but again, it's a bit more strenuous on your joints if you decide to move to jogging/running. Whatever feels more comfortable and that you're likely to do more often is what's best for you!

I do both because they both have their place in my workouts. I run 2 days a week and I do the elliptical 2 days. On the days I don't run I still need cardio but I want low impact so that's why I chose the elliptical. If you have knee, foot, ankle etc. problems then the elliptical or bike is better for you.

I like the elliptical better because it seems to burn more calories in the same amount of time as the treadmill. Because of back problems I only set it to "manual". My question is concerning heart rate. On the elliptical (or treadmill) that I use, there is a little chart with three columns (age, 60% fat burning, 80% cardio). From what I understand, you are supposed to find your age and then look at the column to the right of it and there is a heart rate for fat burning and also one for cardio. I try to stay within that range, but a lot of the time my heart rate is much higher than what it says for my age. So I slow down to bring my heart rate down (usually from a 3.5 down to a 2.5mph). When I look around at other people on the treadmills or ellipticals, their heart rate is a little higher than mine and they are going anywhere from 4.2-6.5mph. Am I doing this correctly?

I have a pinched nerve in my back and after about 20 minutes on the Elliptical I can't feel my feet or legs....I think it is a great workout though.

I have more options with a TM because I can do up hill, walk, jog, run, or interval type work. You can on an ET too, but I find it easier on the TM.

I prefer the treadmill- mostly because I like to run and I burn more calories on the treadmill. I think either are good cardiovascular options if I have to workout inside!

Depends on your own situation as regards which is better - Elliptical is better for me as less impact on knees and ankles - I also like the variety of programmes compared with a treadmill which only varies in speed and incline - and you can go into reverse mode which gets to other muscles.

However, the main reason I prefer the elliptical is because I have yet to fall off it!!! This has happened a couple of times with the treadmill - if I get the rythmn wrong I go flying!!!! :laugh:

THIS,

I have one at home. LOVE it, I have ankle and knee troubles.

I like the elliptical better because it seems to burn more calories in the same amount of time as the treadmill. Because of back problems I only set it to "manual". My question is concerning heart rate. On the elliptical (or treadmill) that I use, there is a little chart with three columns (age, 60% fat burning, 80% cardio). From what I understand, you are supposed to find your age and then look at the column to the right of it and there is a heart rate for fat burning and also one for cardio. I try to stay within that range, but a lot of the time my heart rate is much higher than what it says for my age. So I slow down to bring my heart rate down (usually from a 3.5 down to a 2.5mph). When I look around at other people on the treadmills or ellipticals, their heart rate is a little higher than mine and they are going anywhere from 4.2-6.5mph. Am I doing this correctly?

If you aren't wearing a monitor, the readings on the machine itself are pretty inaccurate. I am the opposite - I try to keep the elliptical between 5.5 and 6.0 and keep my heart rate higher. The difference between my actual heart rate and what the elliptical reads out has been as much as thirty points.

I've had both... I actually got rid of the elliptical so that I could get a treadmill. It really depends on the person but I hated the elliptical. I struggled using it for years and couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time... I thought it was me. Finally got around to doing some research and it turned out that I was just too short for it. Yeah I never thought of it either. Once I had the treadmill, I found out it wasn't me and I would never trade back, even with more impact on the treadmill.

I prefer the treadmill because I love to run. I'm also training for my first 5k, but the treadmill is much harder on your knees. I like the elliptical because as everyone else stated it's low impact. I don't like the elliptical as much as the treadmill though because I tend to get bored on it. With the treadmill I can jog, run, sprint, or walk and not be as bored.

I agree the treadmill is gruesome! I'm constantly watching the timer thinking is it over yet. The elliptical seems to make time go by faster and I really like the amount of energy you exert using it. I also prefer doing my walk/run outside, but unfortunately the weather does not always cooperate.
Kudos on your weight lost.

I way prefer a treadmill because I love running. Although, I am trying to do more on the elliptical because I have heard it is great for fat burn. I just find it so hard, my legs are weaklings!!

I like the elliptical better because it seems to burn more calories in the same amount of time as the treadmill. Because of back problems I only set it to "manual". My question is concerning heart rate. On the elliptical (or treadmill) that I use, there is a little chart with three columns (age, 60% fat burning, 80% cardio). From what I understand, you are supposed to find your age and then look at the column to the right of it and there is a heart rate for fat burning and also one for cardio. I try to stay within that range, but a lot of the time my heart rate is much higher than what it says for my age. So I slow down to bring my heart rate down (usually from a 3.5 down to a 2.5mph). When I look around at other people on the treadmills or ellipticals, their heart rate is a little higher than mine and they are going anywhere from 4.2-6.5mph. Am I doing this correctly?

If you don't have heart problems it's okay to exceed the heart rate posted on the chart. My heart rate is almost always a bit higher then what is posted. Don't try to stay within the "fat burning" heart rate. Even though it is still effective, ultimately you want to burn as many calories as possible and that is achieved through having your heart rate in the "cardio" zone.

I love the Elliptical, but I sometimes have an affair with the treadmill.

i prefer the elliptical, i seem to burn more calories. i set the resistance to 12 (out of 25) and do a Hill setting...usually Around the World. (terrains from different parts of the world).