Exercise is essential for keeping your weight down and preventing many chronic diseases. Most people know that they should exercise, yet it can be hard to choose which machine to use at the gym. Comparing aspects of pieces of exercise equipment will help you determine which is best for you.
Types of Equipment
The elliptical trainer, the stationary bike and the treadmill are three of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment used at gyms and in homes. Treadmills involve a rotating track that you can run on, while elliptical trainers require you to use both your upper and lower body. Elliptical trainers don't require that you lift your foot off of the ground. You simply push forward with your legs as you pull back with your arms and the wheel attached moves in an elliptical motion. Stationary bikes involve the same mechanism as outdoor bicycles yet they do the motion in place so you don't go anywhere.
Calories Burned
One of the best ways to rate the effectiveness of exercise equipment is by comparing calories burned. Because burning more calories than you eat results in weight loss, the machine that results in greater calories burned is the most effective for weight loss. The website Health Status states that in one hour of exercising, a 150 lb. person would burn 277 calories on the stationary bike at a moderate effort. This same person would burn 774 calories using the elliptical trainer or 1,224 calories running on the treadmill at 10 mph, according to Health Status.
Muscles Worked
It is also important to think about which muscles are worked using the different types of exercise equipment. The elliptical trainer uses the legs and also the arms, chest and back, since you have to pull back on the handle as you ride. When you run on the treadmill or use a stationary bike, you only work the lower part of your body, such as the hamstrings, quadriceps and buttocks.
Joint Impact
Joint impact is another important factor to consider. Dr. Edward Laskowski of the Mayo Clinic states that the elliptical trainer is much gentler on the joints than the treadmill because you don't have to lift your foot or pound down on the machine with each step. Stationary bikes are also mild on the joints, making it well-suited for for anyone with arthritis or joint problems.
Options for Variation
Doing the same workout day after day gets boring. When you are bored, you are less likely to continue exercising. Sometimes the most effective piece of exercise equipment for a person is the one with the most options for variation. For example, on a treadmill, you can walk, jog or sprint. You can even increase the incline and walk uphill on the treadmill. On the elliptical trainer and stationary bike, you can add and decrease resistance, but you cannot change the function of the machine.
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