Elliptical vs Treadmill - Which Is Best?
The two most popular pieces of cardiovascular equipment have to be the treadmill and the elliptical machine. You'll see them both at every gym or club that you visit. But if you are buying one for the home, which one do you get? We take a look at some of the factors in the elliptical vs treadmill debate.
Impact
The first thing that is worth considering is what impact the machine is having on your body. The elliptical is low-impact and for this reason it has been popular with seniors and physical trainers that are helping athletes recover from injury. Although a treadmill is cushioned and therefore easier than running on the road, it is still high impact. Over time this can put stress on the knee, ankle, hip and spinal joints.
Your Sport
The reason that you are training needs to be considered. If you are training to run a marathon then it maybe worth getting a treadmill because it is closest to the type of physical demands that are going to be put on you. On the other hand if you just want general fitness then an elliptical could be better. An elliptical would also be suitable if you take part in a sport like football, where you use your arms as well as your legs.
Total Workout
The main work out from a treadmill is for your legs (particularly your quadriceps), and your heart. The elliptical also gives a workout to the arms. This is sometimes called a total body workout because you are exercising many different muscles. Also bear in mind that most ellipticals allow you to run in reverse. This is useful to exercise different muscle groups.
Although the treadmill used to be the most popular piece of exercise equipment, the elliptical has gained a lot of ground since its introduction in the mid 90's. So what's the result of the elliptical vs treadmill argument? For many home users the elliptical cross trainer offers a more flexible training program that is low impact. But if you really love the simplicity of a treadmill, then go for one of them.
