The best cardiovascular workout machine depends on you and your fitness goals. An elliptical machine allows more cross training and less risk of injury. A treadmill allows you to get an indoor workout if you are training for a marathon or race. Both machines have their advantages and drawbacks.
Benefits of Ellipticals vs. Treadmills
An elliptical machine allows for a cross-training workout without the hard impact of running. Ellipticals minimize the risk of injury more than a treadmill to hips, knees and back. An elliptical machine also gives you more flexibility in your workout by allowing you to work your upper body and reverse your motion to target different muscles.
Considerations of Using Both Machines
While there are many cross-training options on an elliptical machine, that doesn't mean you have to ignore the treadmill. You might consider using both machines to get a variety of intensity and muscle targeting in your workouts.
Warning of Boredom on Treadmills
The boredom factor is higher on a treadmill workout than an elliptical because you are only working the lower body. While you cannot get the same cross-training workout of an elliptical outdoors, you can easily walk or run outdoors instead of using the treadmill.
Warning on Machine Workouts
With any workout machine you chose, be informed about the features and be familiar with the options. Whether you use the elliptical or treadmill, read the machine instructions before starting your workout. Know how to stop in an emergency. But also be informed enough to know what tools on the machines can hurt or help your individual workout.
Expert Insight on Machine Workouts
You can maximize your workout by knowing the options on the workout machine. Elliptical and treadmill machines have options to raise the incline or intensity to change your workouts. For example, you can target hill workouts on the treadmill to get a more vigorous workout. You need to know what workouts you can do on either machine to maximize your fitness goals.
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