The elliptical trainer and the treadmill are two popular machines for building cardiovascular endurance and burning calories. These machines are commonly found in gyms and health clubs, and you can purchase them for home use. To decide which one best suits your needs, consider your fitness goals, previous injuries, if any, and the pros and cons of each machine.
Treadmill Pros
The motion of a treadmill simulates walking, jogging, running and hiking since it has a rolling belt with the ability to adjust speed and incline. Most treadmills are cushioned, which makes them easier on the joints for those with lower body injuries or problems. The treadmill is also user-friendly, as it features a quick-start program as well as a forest walk, alpine pass and other fat-burning settings.
Treadmill Cons
Although the treadmill offers less impact then walking or running on a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt, using the treadmill is still considered high-impact exercise. Prolonged duration on the treadmill forces you to perform many strides, which can lead to soreness in your knees, hips and ankles. Also, the treadmill wasn't designed for all body types. Some users may find the belt too narrow for their stride or confined by the safety bars, which don't allow them to freely swing their arms, notes the Fit Sugar website.
Elliptical Pros
Most elliptical machines are equipped with upper body poles or handles, similar to ski poles, allowing you to exercise your arms and legs at the same time, reports MayoClinic.com. Since the elliptical forces you to move more muscles, it will lead to a higher rate of calorie burning than the treadmill, depending on your intensity level. Also, the elliptical trainer can be pedaled in reverse, which will force you to target different muscle groups.
Elliptical Cons
The elliptical trainer offers a full-body workout, which could be difficult for beginners since at slow speeds the elliptical simulates a light jog. This can cause beginners to get winded quickly and force them to exercise for a shorter time. Also, the width of the pedals on an elliptical trainer are non-adjustable, which could be uncomfortable if you have wide hips and could lead to aggravated hips, knees and ankles.
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