Treadmills and elliptical trainers are efficient exercise machines that can produce viable weight loss results. According to a report on Canada.com, the National Sporting Goods Association lists treadmills as the most popular exercise machines. While treadmills accounted for 56 percent of sales in fitness goods in 2009, elliptical machines were second at 8.4 percent. If you want to choose between these two machines, take into consideration your training requirements, health condition and fitness goals.
Training for Events
Your sport of choice and the intensity of workout you desire are important factors to consider if you plan to purchase an exercise machine. If you are training for a marathon, treadmill workouts can prepare you better. For cyclists and skiers, however, an elliptical trainer can provide valuable practice. Alternating between an elliptical and a treadmill during a workout can be a great way to beat monotony. If you want to lose weight, either machine can be beneficial, but treadmills force you to move at the pace of the belt. Because you can control your pace on an elliptical, you may find yourself slowing down more often and not burning as many calories.
Health Considerations
If you have arthritis, osteoporosis or joints problems, the elliptical is a better workout option. There are no jarring movements and the body has total support because you are standing on the pedals throughout the workout. Conversely, when you walk or run on a treadmill, you are repeatedly lifting your body and pounding the joints with each movement. Treadmills are good options for younger people and those without joint pain. The positive aspect of a workout on either machine, however, is that the weight-bearing nature of the exercise strengthens your bones and lowers your risk of osteoporosis.
Maintenance and Safety
Treadmills consist of motors that move the belt on the running deck, whereas elliptical machines depend on your pedaling movement. Consumer Reports notes that the absence of a motor makes the elliptical machine quieter and also lowers the risk of machine breakdown and repairs. Treadmills, on the other hand, generally show wear and tear in a few years. The motor may stop working or the belt may need replacement. Both machines nowadays come with electronic safety switches. The pedals and handrails on an elliptical, however, give the user much more support as compared to a treadmill, on which the risk of falls may be higher.
Space and Weight Capacity
Elliptical machines and treadmills require considerable space. People with compact living quarters can opt for folding treadmills or compact elliptical trainers. The quality and sturdiness of smaller machines, however, is often questionable. Folding treadmills may not support runners, whereas smaller elliptical trainers have shorter stride lengths that restrict the pedaling motion. Such machines are not good options for heavier or taller people.
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