Introduction
Which is better, elliptical, or treadmill? This is a question that you are probably asking yourself right now if you are considering to buy an indoor workout machine. Elliptical trainer and treadmill are the two most popular aerobic exercise machines. The reason why they are very popular because they are both very effective in burning calories. They are also equipped with a wide array of features that makes workout fun. But both the elliptical trainer and treadmill workout machine have their pros and drawbacks. In this post, we are going to compare these two machines to help you make an informed decision when choosing one.
Tracking progress: winner- treadmill
If you are looking for a workout machine that will help to track your workout progress, then a treadmill is the best choice. Treadmills are equipped with advanced tracking tools that allow you to track time, distance covered, your pace, segment time, calories burned, heart rate, and much more. Everything that you need to know about your workout progress is displayed on a large screen on the console.
Elliptical trainers are also equipped with tracking tools, but they are not as advanced those found on treadmills. Most elliptical only track distance covered and speed. They don’t have advanced features, as it is the case with treadmills. So, if you are looking for a workout machine with better tracking features, then you should choose a treadmill.
Recovering from an injury: Winner: Elliptical
Are you recovering from an injury and looking for a workout machine to help fasten the recovery process? If yes, then the elliptical trainer is a great choice. The reason why many recovering athletes use elliptical trainers when recovering from an injury is that the elliptical trainer is a low impact workout machine. This means that they don’t pile a lot of pressure on your joints. As such, you can perform your workouts with ease, even when injured. Your foot will constantly be on the pedal, thus eliminating the effort of picking your foot up and placing it back on the ground with all your body weight. This makes it an excellent option for people who are recovering from injuries.
Treadmill, on the other hand, can aggravate your injuries instead of helping you heal fast. That is why they are not recommended for people who are recovering from injuries. Treadmills only work best for individuals who are in good health. Using them while you are recovering will only make things worse. So if you are looking for a workout machine that will help you recover fast, then you should buy the Best Elliptical trainer.
Full body workout: winner: Elliptical
Another reason why many people prefer elliptical trainers is that they provide a full-body workout. Elliptical usually targets all crucial muscles of your body, including the cores, hamstring, calves, triceps, chest, and shoulder, and much more. It is a full-body workout machine and focuses on both your upper and lower body. Ellipticals have handlebars that users pull and push when working out. As such, ellipticals provide a full-body workout. The handlebars provide upper body workout while the pedal provides lower body workout.
Treadmills, on the other hand, don’t provide full-body workouts. Instead, they only provide lower body workouts. They are, therefore, ideal for people who want to strengthen their leg muscles.
Burning more calories: winner treadmill
Both elliptical trainer and treadmill are efficient calorie-burning machines. But if you want a workout machine that will help you burn more calories fast, the treadmill the best choice. This is because every time you lift your feet off the ground, your body uses more energy than when your foot stays stuck on the pedal as it is the case with elliptical.
However, it is crucial to note that how you work will determine how much calories you will shed. For instance, a slow 10-minute jog on the treadmill won’t burn as many calories as setting high resistance on the elliptical.
Pros of an elliptical trainer
- It puts less pressure on the joints, especially knee joints
- It provides a full-body workout
- You can pedal on the reverse for a more intense workout
- It is a very efficient calorie-burning machine
Cons:
- It is not so dynamic
- It does not strengthen the bones
Pros of a treadmill
- It is versatile
- It engages your abs
- Burns more calories than an elliptical trainer
- It is excellent for lower body workout
- It improves cardiovascular health
- It strengthens the bones
Cons:
- It may affect your posture over time
- It only strengthens the lower body
- It is not easy on the joints
Elliptical vs. treadmill, which one is better?
From the above discussion, it is clear that although these two machines are similar in some ways, they are also different in many ways. My personal opinion is that none is better than the other. What matters is if the machine can meet your workout goals. For instance, if you want to burn more calories fast, then you should purchase the Best Treadmill. On the other hand, if you want a machine that will give you a full-body workout, then an elliptical trainer is a great choice. When choosing between the two, I recommend that you choose one that will meet your workout goals.
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