The elliptical trainer offers just one way of working out: Pedaling in place, with the option of pushing and pulling moving handlebars for an upper-body workout. The TreadClimber, on the other hand, offers three workout modes -- a classic case of trying to do too many things at once to perfect any single thing. That's just the first of many differences between these two pieces of equipment.
Function
Elliptical trainers are fairly straightforward. You step onto the pedals, then run or walk. The pedals move in an elliptical path designed to mimic your natural running or walking stride.
Bowflex TreadClimbers resemble a treadmill with two small belts, one for each foot. These mini tread belts, called treadles, can be locked in place to function like a treadmill. Or, leave them free and they'll raise and lower as you walk on the moving belts. This is advertised as an elliptical trainer-style workout, but users report that it feels more like walking in sand. For your final TreadClimber workout option, turn the treadle belts off but leaves the treadles unlocked; they'll move up and down beneath you like stair stepper pedals.
Benefits
Elliptical trainers and TreadClimbers do offer some similar benefits if used regularly. They both offer low-impact, weight-bearing workouts, ideal for building bone strength or exercising vigorously despite weak bones and joint injuries. Both machines also offer all the benefits of regular aerobic exercise, including better mood, a stronger immune system and greater stamina, notes MayoClinic.com.
Resistance/Speed Mechanisms
Although both the elliptical trainer and TreadClimber offer punishing cardio workouts, they have a major, fundamental difference. With an elliptical trainer, you control workout intensity by adjusting the elliptical trainer's resistance against your pedaling -- usually with push-button console controls. With a TreadClimber, you either set the treadles' up-and-down resistance in stair-stepper mode manually -- to determine how quickly they sink beneath your weight -- or adjust the treadles' speed with push-button controls, then walk or jog to keep up with the belts.
Considerations
Elliptical trainers have a few potential pitfalls to look out for. Low-end elliptical trainers often come with a short stride length, which can feel choppy and uncomfortable. Low-end ellipticals also have relatively few resistance levels to choose from, and often feel shaky or unstable beneath you.
Although the Bowflex TreadClimber does offer the promised versatility, having to dismount and adjust the stair stepper resistance manually is inconvenient. Also, the TreadClimber's treadmill mode is limited. The treadles lock in place at a fixed incline -- 10 percent for the TC5300 -- and the belt speed tops out at 4.5 mph on the TC5500.
Purchase
Major exercise equipment manufacturers like NordicTrack, Sole, Life Fitness, Precor and Octane all produce elliptical trainers. The intense competition in a crowded field drives quality up and price down, and ensures that most elliptical trainers will have a wide range of features. As of October 2010, you can purchase a decent elliptical trainer for about $1,000.
The TreadClimber is a relatively novel piece of equipment with no direct competition. Produced only by Bowflex and its parent company Nautilus, TreadClimbers tend to be more expensive than elliptical trainers; the most basic model starts at about $1,300 as of October 2010. The TreadClimbers are also less feature-rich, although the multiple workout modes are, arguably, a formidable collection of features on their own.
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