Treadmill vs. Elliptical Trainer: Here’s How To Choose Between Them

The debate of treadmill vs. elliptical trainer for the best cardiovascular workouts rages on. Both treadmills and ellipticals are great for cardiovascular health, preserving bone density, preventing osteoporosis, burning calories and increasing energy. Each has its benefits, depending on your goals. Before beginning any workout regimen, you should consult a doctor. If you have specific health problems, ask your doctor which machine would be more beneficial.

For runners, treadmill workouts provide better training vs. an elliptical machine. You can walk, jog, run and run on an incline. Runners can train in any weather on a treadmill. In addition, they are easier on the joints than running on the street, thus decreasing the chance of injury.

When you begin working out on a treadmill, you should start with a lower speed and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. To gain the maximum benefits, you should increase the intensity or extend the time spent training. With treadmills, you can vary the speed and incline and increase both the speed and incline for a greater challenge.

Elliptical machines are fairly new to home exercise vs. treadmills. Each year, ellipticals grow in popularity. You can burn more calories with less effort and time by working out on one of these cross trainers. A big advantage for older people and people with joint problems is the added benefit of impact free workouts. Other benefits include taking up less floor space and less maintenance is needed.

There is not much difference by comparing treadmills vs. ellipticals when it comes to burning calories. Working out on an elliptical machine burns as many calories as jogging. An orbital cross trainer works both the upper and lower body and the forward and reverse motion lets you train completely different muscle groups. In the end, both ellipticals and treadmills can be used for a great workout at home. Consider your fitness goals when making your choice. Try out both exercise machines at the gym, or at least in a store to find the best, most comfortable machine for you.

Related Articles

The Best Rated Treadmills in Every Price Range
The Treadmilldoctor.com lists the best rated treadmills in both home and commercial categories. The review rates models in several categories including:

Consumer Reports on Treadmills for 2005
Consumer Reports on treadmills released a new review in January 2005. The report breaks down their treadmill ratings by price range. They list the top model...

The Pros And Cons Of Folding Treadmills
Folding treadmills have their good points and bad points. Become familiar with the ups and downs of foldaway designs to help you decide if a space saving model...

For more information see: treadmill reviews and buying tips