Treadmill vs Elliptical

naiomi85
naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I am trying to decide whether to buy a Treadmill or Elliptical. I know ellipticals are supposedly better on the joints. I know i can "run outside for free", but i need a machine to keep up with my calories burned. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • savlov30
    savlov30 Posts: 233 Member
    I like Elliptical because I am able to burn more calories.
  • naiomi85
    naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
    I like Elliptical because I am able to burn more calories.


    Do you have it on high resistance?
  • 2fit4fat
    2fit4fat Posts: 559 Member
    love my elliptical. i hate treadmills, id rather just run around my house or outside if i was going to do that to my knees (obviously i dont have the greatest knees lol) but for some reason i cant run right and cramp easy on treadmills
  • 2fit4fat
    2fit4fat Posts: 559 Member
    I like Elliptical because I am able to burn more calories.


    Do you have it on high resistance?
    it engages upper body more therefore burning more cals :-)
  • spinqueen72
    spinqueen72 Posts: 406 Member
    I am trying to decide whether to buy a Treadmill or Elliptical. I know ellipticals are better on the joints. Any suggestions?

    Elliptical.....but you will burn MORE with a spin bike!
    I hate treadmills...but mostly because they mess with my equilibrium! Every time I have ran, or walked on one..after I get off...I get kind of dizzy/lightheaded, and it really freaks me out!
    I can burn DOUBLE the calories on a spin bike, in an hour!
  • Grandysl
    Grandysl Posts: 189
    Bowflex treadclimber. Best of both worlds! It really is a but kicker! I was doing an hour on an elliptical with the resistance in the mid range, but was only able to do about 20 min on the treadclimber. I burn more calories in less time too!
  • naiomi85
    naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks for the input guys!
  • Akijade
    Akijade Posts: 210 Member
    If you want a treadmill just to track calories when walking/running, just get a HRM and go outside. :)
  • naiomi85
    naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
    I am trying to decide whether to buy a Treadmill or Elliptical. I know ellipticals are better on the joints. Any suggestions?

    Elliptical.....but you will burn MORE with a spin bike!
    I hate treadmills...but mostly because they mess with my equilibrium! Every time I have ran, or walked on one..after I get off...I get kind of dizzy/lightheaded, and it really freaks me out!
    I can burn DOUBLE the calories on a spin bike, in an hour!


    Spin bikes hurt my uh....crotch! I can't seem to get use to riding them, haha.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I am trying to decide whether to buy a Treadmill or Elliptical. I know ellipticals are better on the joints. Any suggestions?

    Depends on purpose, and what you enjoy.

    You mention safety, and that is true, but by the same token, spin bike is even better on the joints - if you set it up correctly. Elliptical no such setup problem.

    Elliptical better weight bearing, so better for bone density, spin not at all. Treadmill would be most as it is impacting.

    For calories, as others have mentioned, you can probably get your HR the highest for the longest time, therefore the most calorie burn, on spin, and then elliptical, and then treadmill.

    Spin bike you must provide your own variations, or watch CD where they tell you to make it harder, easier, spin faster, slower, ect.
    Elliptical you have programs to make it interesting, same as treadmill.

    Then again, you may be very happy to sit/stand/run there at steady pace watching TV!

    Also get a good fan to point right at you. HR running high because of overheat doesn't burn more calories, it just looks high.
  • naiomi85
    naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
    If you want a treadmill just to track calories when walking/running, just get a HRM and go outside. :)


    I would actually LOVE to do that instead. My problem is i can't seem to find a good brand that works well. Every one i have tried never picks up my heart rate.
  • rhce40
    rhce40 Posts: 201 Member
    buy a heart rate monitor....
  • fitmom_pam1976
    fitmom_pam1976 Posts: 1,192 Member
    I am trying to decide whether to buy a Treadmill or Elliptical. I know ellipticals are better on the joints. Any suggestions?

    Elliptical.....but you will burn MORE with a spin bike!
    I hate treadmills...but mostly because they mess with my equilibrium! Every time I have ran, or walked on one..after I get off...I get kind of dizzy/lightheaded, and it really freaks me out!
    I can burn DOUBLE the calories on a spin bike, in an hour!

    Agree!!! Spinning!!!!!
  • fitmom_pam1976
    fitmom_pam1976 Posts: 1,192 Member
    If you want a treadmill just to track calories when walking/running, just get a HRM and go outside. :)


    I would actually LOVE to do that instead. My problem is i can't seem to find a good brand that works well. Every one i have tried never picks up my heart rate.

    I have had my Polar HRM for 3 years....and I love it!!!!!!!!!!
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    I looooooooove the elliptical! I was doing classes until I had to work and then started on the elliptical at the gym. people pass me as I am jammin out to Theory of a Deadman! I can make that sucker go really hard when I am really jamming! I would recommend getting a one week pass to a nearby gym so you can try them all. and when i use it I usually burn over 700 cals in like 45 min.sometimes more if I am doing intervals.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I don't like the elliptical - it makes my feet go numb. So, I would definitely buy a treadmill. I would get one with a lot of different levels, inclines and programs.
  • TanyaCurtis
    TanyaCurtis Posts: 630
    All I'm gonna suggest, like some others on here, to make sure u get a HRM!!! I have the Polar FT40!! Order it off Ebay! This whole time I wasn't even burning HALF the calories I thought I was!!! Best investment EVER!!!!! :D U can't lose with it! And I am also buying an elliptical here right aways!!! Can't wait, I think I will enjoy it alot better than a treadmill!! So totally worth it<3 And it burns great calories!!


    *But make sure it's one of those longer/bigger elliptical's. The smaller ones do not do the same trick, and hurt ur feet and stuff!! And u get a way better workout!
  • metzlerjn
    metzlerjn Posts: 57 Member
    I would recommend treadmill but maybe I'm biased, I enjoy running and getting faster times each day. Or sometimes I just want to walk and I hate going outside because jerks from cars like to yell out rude things or it's raining or there's too many hills. My dad bought me an eliptical and I absolutely hate it. Most of the time I don't feel like doing the awkward movements it forces me to do so I'll get off of it sooner than I would on a treadmill. And I know everyone has a point with it being harder on your joints, but heavy impact workout is also good for strengthening your bones. Butttttt, this is all my personal expierence :)
  • TanyaCurtis
    TanyaCurtis Posts: 630
    I looooooooove the elliptical! I was doing classes until I had to work and then started on the elliptical at the gym. people pass me as I am jammin out to Theory of a Deadman! I can make that sucker go really hard when I am really jamming! I would recommend getting a one week pass to a nearby gym so you can try them all. and when i use it I usually burn over 700 cals in like 45 min.sometimes more if I am doing intervals.



    Wooohoooo!!! This sounds sooo Encouraging!!! Hahah! Can't wait to burn those calories!! :D
  • Jess102979
    Jess102979 Posts: 98 Member
    I would invest in a HRM. Its good to have around for when you do want to walk/run outside. Elliptical all the way!!!! I get a better work out on it and I burn DLB the calories. Its so much easier on my joints. Its what works best for you.
  • FitnessByKai
    FitnessByKai Posts: 2
    Elliptical way easier on the joints while allowing you to work different parts of your legs and butt with the numerous settings they provide. :)
  • FitnessByKai
    FitnessByKai Posts: 2
    Polaris brand!
  • SunnyAndrsn
    SunnyAndrsn Posts: 369 Member
    I'm in love with my treadmill. I started walking back in November, started counting calories/watching my diet two weeks ago. I've only lost a total of 12 pounds since November, but my resting heart rate has decreased by about 10-15BPM, and I went from barely being able to do 15 minutes at 2.0, to walking for an hour at a 3.0. I know that's not very fast--yet--but I love that I can measure the progress like that. My goal was 3 miles, and tonight for the first time I met that goal :-) A full 30 days ahead of schedule.

    I've tried the elliptical years ago, and found it very jerky and clumsy to use. I'm pretty short though, and even though I was in far better shape than I am now, I had issues with it. I have co-workers who just love it though.

    Good luck with the decision
  • lorenzoinlr
    lorenzoinlr Posts: 338 Member
    Get an elliptical with movable handles and save those joints, burn calories at a high rate, get a full body workout and make possible variations in motion enabling you to avoid getting used to doing the same exercise such that it loses some effectiveness. I have one parked in one of my rooms and I love the workout it gives me. If you can get a quality machine, they may cost a little more but well worth it in the long run.

    Today I focused on involving my abs and worked them out pretty good while keeping my heart rate at around 85-90% - and enjoyed it.
  • Lissakaye81
    Lissakaye81 Posts: 224 Member
    I love both the treadmill and eliptical, I own a treamill cause the eliptical that I like are the ones they have at gyms which are soo expensive. So my hubby got me the Nordik Track Viewpoint for 600$ off craigslist. LOVE IT. It has a little tv screen and cable input/rca input and mp3 player input. I hook up my playstation 3 and either watching streaming netflix shows, listen to music cranked, or just stroll and read. I can also do the ifit programs but havent used em yet. It has a HRM but only works if you stop running and take pulse so I bought a seperate hrm. Oh ya it has a fan to with different speeds and you can get a chest hrm for it. If you can find one used worth every penny!
  • schlagers
    schlagers Posts: 58
    Bowflex treadclimber. Best of both worlds! It really is a but kicker! I was doing an hour on an elliptical with the resistance in the mid range, but was only able to do about 20 min on the treadclimber. I burn more calories in less time too!

    I've always wanted to get one of those. I LOVE the elliptical but I feel like I get a better workout running on the treadmill. Bowflex is the best of both! I'm definitely making this a must-have when I get a house with enough room in it!
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I started on the elliptical to help build my endurance and cardiovascular strength. Then I moved onto running for my overall/continued workout plan.

    Based on machine readouts, the elliptical said more calories. But based on my HRM, I always burn more running vs elliptical, 100% of the time. I can get my elliptical burn a bit higher when I don't hold onto anything and just engage my arms freely like I'm running.

    A number of articles I read on ellipticals said that holding onto the moving handles either minimizes the amount of work your legs do (because you're providing additional force and lessening what your legs have to exert) or minimize the amount that your upper body is engaged because you're stabilizing yourself using outside means rather than having to find and keep your own balance and pump your arms to keep your legs going. And based on my HRM calorie burns, I'd agree.

    Running is a full body sort of thing. Actually, increasing strength in your upper body can help you run faster and power through inclines since your legs and arms work in tandem and if you can pump your arms, it'll move your legs. Plus, like I said, for me, it's just an overall higher calorie burner. Plus, it gives you the training to go out and run outdoors on a trail or in a local run event. Which the elliptical could never prepare you for.

    And I'm also speaking as someone with terrible knees. Like, have had knee braces since high school, bad knees. And the elliptical sometimes actually made them feel worse. I rarely ever have knee pain at all anymore and haven't worn braces on them in almost a year now. (started running in January last year) I do combine my running with strength training for both upper and lower body, as well as one day a week of non-running cardio. Where I still try not to ever get back onto an elliptical because, even in high resistance it feels like I'm not getting anything out of it and the calorie burns are still lower. I hit up the ARC trainer which matches my run calories burned almost exactly.
  • naiomi85
    naiomi85 Posts: 29 Member
    I started on the elliptical to help build my endurance and cardiovascular strength. Then I moved onto running for my overall/continued workout plan.

    Based on machine readouts, the elliptical said more calories. But based on my HRM, I always burn more running vs elliptical, 100% of the time. I can get my elliptical burn a bit higher when I don't hold onto anything and just engage my arms freely like I'm running.

    A number of articles I read on ellipticals said that holding onto the moving handles either minimizes the amount of work your legs do (because you're providing additional force and lessening what your legs have to exert) or minimize the amount that your upper body is engaged because you're stabilizing yourself using outside means rather than having to find and keep your own balance and pump your arms to keep your legs going. And based on my HRM calorie burns, I'd agree.

    Running is a full body sort of thing. Actually, increasing strength in your upper body can help you run faster and power through inclines since your legs and arms work in tandem and if you can pump your arms, it'll move your legs. Plus, like I said, for me, it's just an overall higher calorie burner. Plus, it gives you the training to go out and run outdoors on a trail or in a local run event. Which the elliptical could never prepare you for.

    And I'm also speaking as someone with terrible knees. Like, have had knee braces since high school, bad knees. And the elliptical sometimes actually made them feel worse. I rarely ever have knee pain at all anymore and haven't worn braces on them in almost a year now. (started running in January last year) I do combine my running with strength training for both upper and lower body, as well as one day a week of non-running cardio. Where I still try not to ever get back onto an elliptical because, even in high resistance it feels like I'm not getting anything out of it and the calorie burns are still lower. I hit up the ARC trainer which matches my run calories burned almost exactly.


    This was JUST the post i was needing! Just about EVERYONE i know tells me that they burn more cals with the elliptical...however i personally burn the same amount on it as the treadmill. I set the resistance high on the elliptical and i also set the incline high on the tread. It just evens out for me. Everyone also tells me that your workout is better with the elliptical bc it works your upper body...but i have always wondered if that would take away from the workout in your legs. You have answered the very thing i have been pondering over!
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