The Best Fitness Machine: Elliptical Or Treadmill?

The treadmill became the most popular piece of home exercise equipment in 1996, according to the American Council on Exercise, or ACE. Elliptical machines, which were introduced in the mid-1990s, are continually growing in popularity. The piece of equipment that is best for you depends on your individual fitness goals and the type of workout you want, specifically whether it's low- or high-impact.

Elliptical Pros

Elliptical machines provide good cardiovascular workouts but are low-impact, according to Richard Cotton, an exercise physiologist for ACE. A study published by Len Kravitz in "ACE FitnessMatters" found that an elliptical workout burns 8 to 9 calories per minute. This is similar to aerobic dancing or running an 11.5-minute mile. The elongated circle, or ellipse, mimics the running motion but has impact on the joints similar to a bicycle. Many elliptical machines also combine upper-body movement to work more muscles. According to ACE, elliptical machines are the ideal exercise equipment for people with joint pain or arthritis.

Elliptical Cons

The quality of your workout, especially if you're looking to get an elliptical at home, is directly linked to the cost of the machine, says Kravitz. This can make owning an elliptical cost-prohibitive. Also, the elliptical motion can take some getting used to and feel awkward or uncomfortable at first. Start out slowly to allow yourself to get used to the elliptical. This will help you avoid muscle pain associated with overtraining.

Treadmill Pros

A treadmill burns 40 percent more calories than other cardiovascular exercise machines, says a study published in 1996 by "The Journal of the American Medical Association." The researchers, led by Anne Zeni, found that people expend more energy using treadmills than when they use cross-country skiing simulators, rowers, stair steppers, cycle ergometers and Airdynes. The researchers concluded that the treadmill was the optimal indoor exercise machine for burning calories. Workouts can also be customized to fitness level and time constraints, and ACE believes that if you are already fit, a treadmill is the right choice for you.

Treadmill Cons

The biggest disadvantage with a treadmill is the impact it has on your joints, especially the ankles, knees, hips and back. This can be lessened by using one with a cushioned running surface, but it still may be too jarring to exercisers who have musculoskeletal conditions. As you age, this impact becomes more of an issue. Some people also find running or walking to nowhere boring over time.