When it comes to losing weight, cardio is king. Two of the best pieces of equipment for shedding calories are the elliptical trainer and the treadmill. Either machine can help you lose weight, but one may be better for your workout program, depending on your goals, current health condition and overall motivation for working out.
Calories Burned
Looking strictly at which machine burns more calories, you will find that the elliptical trainer and the treadmill are closely matched, though the treadmill may be slightly better. In 2004, the Harvard Medical School found that a 185-lb. person burns an average of 400 calories every 30 minutes when exercising at a reasonable pace with an elliptical. Comparatively, the same person would have to run on a treadmill at only 5.2 mph, or on par with an 11.5-minute mile, to burn the same number of calories. If that same person managed to increase his pace to 10 mph, he would burn 733 calories every 30 minutes.
Body Strain
A major part of any weight-loss program is being able to stick with your training routine. If you become injured or have pains from the workout, you may miss training sessions and thus hamper your weight loss. According to Bret Spottke, a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise, treadmills cause more injuries than elliptical trainers because your feet hitting the running deck puts strain on the joints in your lower body.
Forward Motion
Some people find it exceedingly difficult to stay on pace when exercising. If you are the type of person who slows down when tired, a treadmill is the better choice for your weight-loss workout. The forward motion of the tread belt stays consistent as you run, giving you the motivation to run hard when you are tired unless you want to fall off the treadmill. An elliptical trainer does not force you to keep your running pace; the pedal momentum may even cause you to exercise at a slower rate than you need.
Workout Programs
Available workout programs, which can be a major factor in your exercise, vary between machines. If you have narrowed your selection to a choice between two specific machines, the equipment with the most workout variety and features is likely to help you keep your motivation up and your waistline down. Look for an elliptical trainer or a treadmill with incline settings and variable resistance, to increase the amount of calories that you burn.
References
- Reuters: Treadmill Vs. Elliptical, Motor Vs. Momentum; Dorene Internicola; October 18, 2010
- Elliptical Trainers: Elliptical Trainer vs. Treadmill - How They Compare
- Harvard Medical School: Calories Burned in 30 Minutes of Leisure and Routine Activities
- Exercise Equipment Expert: Elliptical Vs. Treadmill; Bret Spottke: December 5, 2008
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