Treadmills Vs. Eliptical Machines

When it comes to cardio equipment, treadmills and elliptical machines are standard offerings for most gyms. Although many people think the elliptical is designed for a less intense workout, you can increase the calories burned by working with the grip poles and increasing resistance.

Identification: Treadmill

Treadmills feature a flat belt that scrolls around a rectangular bottom frame, giving you a moving surface on which to walk or run. Most electric treadmills can angle the running surface, mimicking an uphill climb. Depending on the model, you can monitor things like speed, pacing, calories burned, heart rate, interval times or metabolic rate. Treadmills come in electric or manually powered versions. Manual powered treadmills can actually be safer, says the American College of Sports Medicine, because the running belt stops when you stop moving; however, it can be difficult to get a manual belt to move smoothly, often resulting in discomfort or even injury.

Treadmill Benefits

Treadmills help you move at a consistent pace, without the slow-down that can occur when you try to pace yourself naturally during an outdoor run. Rick Morris of Running Planet praises the treadmill's "more forgiving surface," causing less overall stress to your body's connective tissues than pavement or concrete. He also notes the advantage of treadmill hill training for competitive runners who need the challenge but don't live in a hilly area.

Identification: Elliptical

Like the treadmill, the elliptical machine also features a basic L-shape. On the ground, you'll find two foot panels that "pedal" in an elliptical motion. Some machines even allow you to adjust the stride length for a more natural feel. Up top, you have grip poles for stability, and a display panel. The American College of Sports Medicine describes the elliptical machine's impact as a cross between stair climbing and cross-country skiing.

Elliptical Benefits

According to Dr. Edward Laskowski of the Mayo Clinic, elliptical machines have three main benefits that treadmills lack. The gentle, fluid motion of an elliptical machine is "less stressful on your knees, hips and back." He notes that you can also pedal the elliptical backward, working an entirely different set of muscles. Whereas treadmills don't offer an upper body workout, you can work your arms, shoulders and back by moving the elliptical machine's grip poles as you pedal. Many elliptical machines also have built-in interval training routines with varying levels of resistance for a more intense workout than pedaling at one consistent speed.

Comparison

Developing a direct comparison between the calorie-burning potential of the elliptical and the treadmill is difficult because the treadmill controls your speed while the elliptical doesn't. Harvard Medical School makes a generalized estimate that 30 minutes on the elliptical burns 270, 335 and 400 calories for people who weigh 125, 155 and 185 pounds, respectively. However, without a notation as to the speed at which these test subjects pedaled, it's difficult to know whether you would burn the same. In contrast, running a 10-minute mile burns 300, 372 and 444 calories for the respective weights given. Chicago's Daily Herald echoes the difficulty in direct comparison--although the treadmill offers a more intense workout, the ability to work your upper and lower body may give the elliptical the edge. In all likelihood, the calorie-burning results are similar enough to leave the choice to your personal preference.