Elliptical Trainer vs. Treadmill

The most popular pieces of home exercise equipment are treadmills and elliptical trainers. Both of these machines are best sellers and easy to use.

Exercising is very important for health and well-being. In today’s society, the importance of exercise and healthy eating is inevitable.

The main reason for the increased popularity of home fitness gyms and exercise, is convenience, which both of these machines have. What makes them so popular over other exercise devices, is their low impact on joints and the ability to burn more calories. 

Home fitness equipment, such as the elliptical trainer and treadmill, provide a great aerobic workout, which enhances your cardiovascular fitness. Regular endurance exercise improves the pumping capacity of your heart and the efficiency of your circulatory system.

Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers are one of the most popular pieces of home fitness equipment, and they are different from treadmills and exercise bikes. If you are after a cardiovascular workout, and are tired of using treadmills and bikes, then elliptical trainers are a great alternative piece of workout equipment. 

Even though elliptical trainers have being around for less time than treadmills, they’re the fastest growing segment in the fitness equipment industry. There were only several companies selling elliptical machines a few years ago, but now there are many different types of models to choose from, with variety of programs and features built in. The price for an elliptical trainer range from $200 to $5,000.

Elliptical trainers offer a low impact workout that is easy on the joints, and it still gives you the feeling of working your entire body. They are appropriate for all fitness levels and are a great way to improve your cross-training workout; while burning as many calories as you would burn using any other exercise equipment.

You can perform a variety of different treadmill workout routines, which will keep you motivated, and you will never get bored. With elliptical trainers, less time is required to achieve more results, because they work the upper and lower body simultaneously, causing the heart rate to increase quickly.

The advantage of using elliptical machines is the motion it creates; four different motion types can be simulated on this machine (e.g. Skiing, cycling, walking and stepping), using an elliptical motion to deliver various combinations of workouts. 

In most cases, since both feet are primarily in contact with the pedals at all times, the workout can be classified as non-impact, making this a workout with minimal impact on joints of the body. 

As the legs are being worked, the back, shoulders, chest, biceps, and triceps are also working, making it possible to burn more calories in less time.

Treadmills

Unlike elliptical trainers, treadmills have being around longer and they are more popular than elliptical trainers. They are the best selling home fitness equipment for aerobic and cardio workout. They are by far, the best and most convenient for any type of aerobic workout. 

This machine is mainly designed for weight-bearing exercises, such as walking and running. It offers you the best opportunity to build bone density in the lower extremities and greatly improves overall muscle tone. 

Treadmills are not limited to running or waking; they can also be used for cross training, interval training, Incline Intervals, and waking on toes and heals.

They’re excellent for cardiovascular workouts, which makes them the highest calorie burner, when compared to other popular home fitness equipment, such as bikes and elliptical trainers.  

Studies show that on average, most people burn about 750 calories per hour on a treadmill. On a stationary bike, however, people are likely to burn about 550 calories per hour. If you want to lose weight and be fit, then a treadmill is your ideal home fitness, simply because of its high calorie burning ability. (more about burning calories)

Even though a high calorie burning machine is ideal, there are other factors to consider, including types of workout and its endurance. Treadmills tend to be boring when compared to other machines; and boredom is the number one factor why many treadmill users quit using their machine. 

If you choose a treadmill for your home fitness machine, learn how to beat treadmill boredom, so you can get more out of your workout. (more about overcoming treadmill boredom)

Treadmills are more costly than elliptical trainers; prices range between $150 to $5,000 and above. Manual treadmills are the cheapest type, due to the absence of a motor. With this type of treadmill, the user powers the movement of the belt himself. (more about manual and motorized treadmills)

Motorized treadmills, on the other hand, are the most expensive type of treadmills. The motor is built in this type and the user doesn’t have to do anything, other than to keep up the belt. Motorized treadmills offer a wide range of programs and intensity levels. 

You can program your personal information (e.g. weight, height, fitness level, etc.), then you may choose a program which best fits your fitness level and workout needs; such as hills or weight loss. The unit will automatically adjust the workout to fit your specifications.

Final word

Both treadmills and elliptical trainers are popular pieces of home fitness equipment; however, treadmills have being around longer than elliptical trainers, and are the favorite home fitness equipment for thousands of exercisers. 

If you want to loose weight, either machine will enable you to burn calories, but if you want to burn higher calories in shorter time, the treadmill is the best machine for a cardio workout.