The home fitness equipment market contains almost endless choices, particularly if you are trying to find the best equipment for your cardio workout. The Bowflex TreadClimber and an elliptical trainer provide significantly different styles of exercise, so comparing the two might be difficult for you. The best way to find out which machine will best serve you in the long run is to clearly define your budget, exercise needs and long-term goals.
Cost
Bowflex offers three different models of TreadClimber, which range in price from $1,298 to $3,299, as of this publication. Elliptical trainers come in a much wider selection, with low-end models costing less than $500 and commercial-quality products costing more than $5,000. American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer Bret Spottke says you can most likely find an excellent elliptical trainer for hundreds less than a TreadClimber.
Exercise Type
The fundamentals of a Bowflex TreadClimber and an elliptical trainer are very different. On a TreadClimber, you can walk on the flat treadles, use them in a stair stepping motion or walk and stair climb simultaneously. On an elliptical trainer, you place your feet flat on the platforms and move your legs in a running motion. Some models of elliptical trainers have handles you can hold so you exercise both your upper and lower body.
Calorie Burning
Elliptical trainers burn a significant amount of calories in a single session, which is why they are a popular choice in many fitness clubs. According to Harvard University, 30 minutes on an elliptical will burn roughly 335 calories for a 155-pound person. The Harvard research did not examine Bowflex TreadClimber exercise but does state that the same person would burn 167 calories walking 4 miles per hour or 223 calories stair-stepping. Combining the two motions would increase your calorie expenditure, but it might not be enough to reach the calorie burning potential of an elliptical trainer.
Limitations
Both the Bowflex TreadClimber and elliptical trainer can deliver a significant cardio workout that engenders health benefits with regular use, but neither is without its drawbacks. Bowflex TreadClimber machines only have a maximum top speed of 4.5 miles per hour, meaning you can only walk briskly on the machine at most. Additionally, the exercise motion might feel strange at first and require an adjustment period. Elliptical trainers allow you to run at a brisk pace, but most limit your motion on the set path of the machine. This can lead to boredom if you need exercise variety to help keep you motivated. Elliptical trainers also can be large in some cases and might take up more room in your home than a Bowflex TreadClimber would.
References
- Exercise Equipment Expert; Bowflex Treadclimber vs. Nordic Track Act Elliptical; Bret Spottke
- Fitness Equipment Source; A Treadmill vs. Elliptical Trainer; Fred Waters
- Bowflex: Bowflex TreadClimber Cardio Machines
- Harvard University; Calories Burned in 30 Minutes of Leisure and Routine Activities; July 2004
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