A Precor elliptical machine is commonly referred to as a crosstrainer. One of the main similarities between it and a treadmill is that both are types of cardiovascular equipment. If you are looking to choose one for home use or to determine your best option while at the gym, find out which one is the best fit for your goals.
Identification
A Precor elliptical and treadmill vary greatly in their appearance. A treadmill has handrails and a long, flat belt. The Precor elliptical has two platforms that you place your feet on and poles that you grasp with your hands. To operate the treadmill, step onto the belt, turn on the machine and either run or walk. To use the elliptical, move the poles and platforms back and forth in a gliding motion. The elliptical also has non-movable handles to grasp as well.
Size
The Precor and treadmill are both efficient at burning calories. A 180-lb. person burns about 930 calories in 60 minutes on the elliptical and about 940 calories in 60 minutes, running at 7 mph on the treadmill. If you were to use either one every day of the week, you would burn well over 3,500 calories total. This in turn would cause at least one pound of weight loss. If you worked out long enough to burn 1,000 calories, you can lose about 2 lbs. a week, according to the National Institutes of Health. Even walking at a brisk pace on the treadmill burns calories efficiently. A 200-lb. person burns about 470 calories walking at 4 mph for 60 minutes.
Features
The treadmill and Precor both have digital screens that allow you to view time, caloric expenditure and distance. They also have built-in programs to choose from or you can manually change your intensity by pressing the appropriate buttons. The treadmill has adjustments for the speed and incline. With the elliptical, you can change your stride length, incline or resistance.
Significance
Impact is a major issue with exercise when it comes to certain populations. A user's foot never hits the ground on an elliptical trainer, so the jarring impact of walking or running on a hard surface is eliminated, and many back pain sufferers find this an advantage, according to the Spine-Health website. A treadmill however, does cause impact. This is minimal when you are walking, but significant when you are running.
Function
The Precor elliptical and treadmill are both operated from an upright position, but they vary when it comes to the muscles involved with each. Any form of elliptical machine that has handles works the upper and lower body simultaneously. The treadmill on the other hand, mainly works the lower body. The Glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles get targeted with both. The Precor also works the latissimus dorsi, pectorals, triceps, deltoids and biceps. The lats are the back muscles, the pecs are the chest muscles and the delts are on the shoulders.
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