Treadmills vs Elliptical Trainers - Which Gives a Better Workout!

In today’s world of fitness crazes and new-fangled exercise tools, many fads come and go. For example, how many people are working out daily with a Thigh Master. But, occasionally, an idea is hit upon that really works! An exercise machine is created that actually does what it says it will do. It promotes fitness and wellness. It helps both novice and fitness enthusiasts reach their exercise goals. It has ’staying’ power!

Two of the most popular fitness machines used today are the treadmill and the elliptical trainer. What makes these machines so popular? Why are they favored over other exercise devices?

The treadmill has been around for over a decade and remains popular among novice and seasoned athletes. The reason for its popularity is it is appealing to walkers and runners and it is a relatively simple machine. Anyone can walk, there are no special skills involved.

A newer exercise machine, the elliptical, is gaining on the treadmill in popularity. It offers the benefit of a total body workout without the impact.

How do treadmills compare with elliptical training equipment? What benefits do each machine offer? Could one of these be right for you?

Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers are relatively new to the fitness equipment industry. They have increased in popularity during the last few years. And rate of growth is surpassing that of treadmills. But, do they deliver what they promise?

Elliptical trainers allow the athlete to burn a similar number of calories as jogging…but without the risk of injury to the back, knees, hips, or ankles. Your feet never leave the pedals. As a result, this type of machine is quite low-impact and goes easy on the joints. In fact, whereas exercising on a treadmill requires your body to absorb the impact force of walking or running, exercising on an elliptical can be compared to running in midair. Running can result in 2.5x your body weight impacting a treadmill.

Because ellipticals are so low-impact and easy on the joints, this type of exercise equipment may very well be one of the best choices for older people or for individuals who are recovering from a joint injury. That may be why it is so popular with us baby boomers, whose joints have taken such a beating over the years.

Elliptical machines mimic the normal elliptical motion of the foot, the extension of the leg, and the rotation of the hip during walking or running. This motion uses all the leg muscles, giving you a total lower-body workout.

But, WAIT! There’s more! Elliptical motion machines ALSO simultaneously work the upper body (unlike the treadmill, which works only the lower body)! As the feet go through their elliptical motion, the hands grip the moving handlebars, exercising the arms.