Many people favor using an elliptical machine or treadmill over other forms of aerobic exercise equipment. Both machines allow you options to control your intensity level, while providing you with instant numeric feedback. The more advanced versions of these machines give you the option of preprogrammed routines. By gaining an understanding of each machine's advantages, you can decide what will work best for you.
Elliptical Advantages
Elliptical machines offer various advantages over treadmills. Elliptical machines cause less stress on your knees, hips and back than a treadmill, according to Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Mayo Clinic. Many elliptical trainers also have ski-pole-like arms to allow you to get a full-body workout. Elliptical machines allow you to get two different workouts on one machine by also allowing you to pedal in reverse, which works a different set of muscles than pedaling forward. Finally, since elliptical trainers do not have a motor, they do not make as much noise as a treadmill.
Elliptical Disadvantages
Some people have difficulty using an elliptical trainer. The pedals do not touch the ground and need to be self-propelled forward, making them difficult to get started, according to Spine-Health.com. The smoother movements of the elliptical also limit the benefits of weight-bearing exercise for your bone health. Elliptical machines also tend to cost more than treadmills, with even the most basic models costing close to $1,000.
Treadmill Advantages
Treadmills help give you a more realistic workout. The treadmill only minimizes the impact on your joints slightly when compared with walking or jogging outside, states Dr. Michael Hall, a family practitioner from St. Marys, Pa. Beginners can walk or light jog, while athletes can train in a specific manner to meet their training goals. An older person can practice walking while holding onto the handgrips to help improve both balance and fitness, which fosters continued independence. The treadmill allows you to burn just as many calories as an elliptical trainer without getting your heart rate as high, according to a study published in the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research."
Treadmill Disadvantages
Treadmills may wear your body out faster than an elliptical. The higher impact of the treadmill increases your risk of injury, according to the article, "Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Which machine really delivers?" published in the Daily Herald. The higher impact may also aggravate sore or injured joints, causing a user some pain. The noise from the motor of a treadmill may interfere with listening to the radio or watching television while working out.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Elliptical Machines - Better Than Treadmills?
- Dr. Michael Hall; Family Practitioner; St. Marys, Pennsylvania
- Spine-Health.com: Elliptical Trainer
- Daily Herald: Elliptical vs. Treadmill - Which Machine Really Delivers
- "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"; Comparison of Energy Expenditure on a Treadmill vs. an Elliptical Device at a Self-Selected Exercise Intensity; Brown, G.A., Cook, C.M., Krueger, R.D., & Heelan, K.A.; 2010
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