Is Elliptical Fitness Equipment Better Than A Treadmill?
Walk in to any gym, and you're likely to see about an equal number of treadmills and elliptical fitness equipment...and about an equal number of people using both! Though the treadmill has been a gym mainstay for decades, the elliptical has grown in popularity over the past few years and is now giving the treadmill a run for its money! But is one better than the other?
Before we weigh in with a verdict on which is best, let's examine the pros and cons of each.
Treadmills
Treadmills are extremely easy to use. If you can walk, then you can use a treadmill! Working out on a treadmill is possible for anyone, regardless of age, size or fitness level. You can have a nice, slow walk, or an all-out sprint. You can stroll flat, or up the incline for some hill drills. The choice is yours.
Of course, the biggest benefit is the ability to walk, jog or run regardless of the weather. And if you live in the city, or a high-traffic area, working out on a treadmill may be safer than running the streets.
While the impact is less than running outdoors, a treadmill does have impact...and if you have joint issues then that can be a problem. And though treadmills work your lower body nicely, they do not do anything for your upper body.
Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical fitness equipment is very low impact compared to running, or even walking. This is because you are moving in a smooth, elliptical fashion, and there is no jolting from your feet hitting a hard surface. If you have bad ankles, knees or a bad back, then ellipticals are a great choice as they will not irritate your joints.
You can also get more of an upper body workout than you can on a treadmill, although it is not comparable to what you can get with weights. Still, if you prefer to engage your whole body, then an elliptical machine will let you do just that. And just like a treadmill, you can up the intensity, or keep it simple.
Some people, however, find elliptical machines awkward. Although the motion simulates walking or running (and in some cases also simulates stepping), some people have a hard time adjusting to it. Additionally, if the machine has arms that automatically move along with the foot pedals, this can be confusing or even annoying for those who prefer to keep their arms at their sides.
The Bottom Line
So, it appears there is no clear winner in the debate! Both types of cardio equipment will give you a good workout, but different people may prefer one to the other. The best thing to do is to try both treadmills and elliptical fitness equipment, and see which style suits you best. After all, the best, most effective workout is the one you actually enjoy doing.
Find out more tips on on how to buy an elliptical exercise machine
