The treadmill and elliptical are exercise machines that can help you improve your fitness level and health. When you use an elliptical, you move two poles back and forth with your hands while gliding on two foot pedals. On a treadmill, you run or walk on a moving belt and your arms are free to swing through the air. When it comes to developing muscle tone, the treadmill and elliptical both work, depending on your needs.
Identification
The treadmill and elliptical are both cardiovascular machines that help you burn calories. They also work a major part of your body, although in different ways. The treadmill primarily targets the lower body, where the elliptical targets the upper and lower body. If you goal is to achieve lower body muscle tone, then the treadmill is sufficient. If you goal is to tone your entire body, the elliptical is better.
Benefits
When you run or walk on a treadmill, you work your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and anterior tibialis muscles which run down the front of the shins. The elliptical works all of these muscles, plus the chest, deltoids, biceps and triceps. The delts are the muscles on the outer shoulders.
Expert Insight
The treadmill and elliptical both have adjustments that can make your workouts more intense. On the treadmill, you can increase the inline. This will place more emphasis on your glutes, hamstrings and calves. The elliptical has options to change the incline and resistance. By changing both of these variables, you can increase the workload on your upper and lower body.
Considerations
The elliptical machine has movable poles, but it also has nonmovable handles in the center. By placing your hands on these handles instead of the poles, you can specifically tone your leg muscles. Elliptical machines can often be operated in reverse as well. This places a different emphasis on your muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention/Solution
Any time you add muscle to your body, you naturally increase your metabolism. This takes place even if the gain is slight. If you were to gain even one pound of muscle for example, you can burn an extra 30 to 50 calories a day, according to the University of Michigan Health System. When you increase your metabolism, you will burn more fat while at rest and achieve a toned look at a faster pace.
Warning
When using the treadmill and elliptical, impact is something to take into consideration. When you walk on the treadmill, the stress is low on your joints, but when you run it is high. If you have existing back problems, stick with fast-paced walking or use the elliptical. When you glide on the elliptical, you feel very little impact. Also make sure to talk to your doctor before you engage in any new exercise routines.
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