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The Body Blog: Elliptical Versus Treadmill
October 27, 2008 Posted in Body
[Hey all. I am going to be starting a body blog each week, discussing one specific topic in the fitness category. Whether it be a new workout technique or a new way to eat healthy, I’m your guru for all things fitness related-ish. As an avid athlete, I have played various sports, tried new ways to stay fit and have found what works and what sure as hell doesn’t.]
Today, we’re going to discuss the difference between using an elliptical and a treadmill. Now, while I am partial to a treadmill, as I run on mine every day, I spent two years using an elliptical before I made the switch, so I’m a pro on both ends. Here’s the dish:
Elliptical:
Pros: It’s a great full body work out; while placing your feet in the holders and holding on to the handlebars, you’re body is secure, and the lack of actually lifting your feet makes this a good low impact workout for those of you with knee/leg problems. If you hold the handles and use your arms, you work your full body for the entire workout (which should be about 30 minutes at a time), and when you get off you will feel refreshed, invigorated and a bit winded (in a good way).
Cons: While you get a full body workout with the simultaneous arm and leg movements, you won’t feel exhausted when you get off in the sense that you had to push yourself to excel, like you would on other workout equipment. Also, because your feet are stationary, they can get numb over the course of the workout, which causes some discomfort. It is also very difficult to move your arms and legs at the same pace, so one part of your body may be working harder than the other (i.e., you move your arms faster to push your legs, making them do less work).
Treadmill:
Pros: If you can run, a treadmill is a low impact alternative to pavement or a track. The belt you bounce up and down on can provide a relief for your legs. Running or walking on a treadmill is a fantastic workout for your entire body because every aspect of your leg muscles needs to work. For example, if you walk on an incline, you can work your calves and thighs, while using free weights to perfect your arms. You can push yourself to any extent you want, as well as clock your distance and calories burned.
Cons: If you’re using a treadmill to run, its stressful on your body. Running, while a great workout, is damaging to your knees, your legs and your feet (not to mention it’s just plain difficult!). Years of wear and tear on your legs using a treadmill can cause problems later in life, which is not to say that other workouts aren’t damaging. Also, if you don’t have something to keep you occupied, a treadmill can be boring (really boring) because you’re not actually getting anywhere. And you are probably staring at a wall/the person’s butt in front of you. This can easily be rectified by bringing along some music, or putting that badboy right in front of a TV, but you don’t always have that option.
So, neither option is perfect, but they are both great for different reasons. While I personally prefer a good ole run on the treadmill, choose whatever works for you and gets you working out.
Which do you prefer?
Stay turned for a new workout tip next week.
(Photo courtesy of teambath.com)
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Emily says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20087:19 am
I prefer the treadmill all the way! I actually do have a knee injury from cheerleading in high school, but I find the elliptical hurts worse than the treadmill does. Too bad my school only has elliptical machines!
Steph says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20087:26 am
Carrying free weights on the elliptical prevents you from leaning on the machine or handles, which can lighten the workout.
Michelle says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20089:23 am
I prefer the treadmill over the elliptical because with my knee problems after using the elliptical once my knees locked up and I nearly fell off.
K says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20089:46 am
I don't think a treadmill has any less impact on your knees/legs than running on a track. You're running on a thin strip of rubber over a hard plastic/metal surface, there's no "relief" in that. Running on a treadmill isn't a healthy alternative to running outside, you're going to get the same amount of wear and tear.
Kristin says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20089:58 am
Definitely the elliptical. I'm not very athletic, so it's nice to have something less stressful. I know what you mean about feet getting numb, though. It gets annoying, but sometimes I'll lift myself onto my toes for a minute just to ease the stress on my heels. I'm not sure if that's bad or not, but it makes me feel like I'm working my calves out a little more.
Tyler says:
Mon, 27th Oct 200810:14 am
Treadmill, at least for the fact that it helps with real world fitness (and a big plus for athletes). The elliptical is not a natural motion most of the time. Plus I find the hand levers provide more of a crutch than anything. My girlfriend made the switch from E to Treadmill, and has noticed a big difference in tone all over her body. I'd recommend the elliptical if it's more of a 'rest' day, or you're terribly out of shape (or injured), and working up using a treadmill.
tiffany says:
Mon, 27th Oct 200811:54 am
Actually K, the tredmill does provide less of an imipact of pavement or a track. I was specifically told this by my knee surgeon after 2 knee surgeries. While he suggested I stick to biking or swimming for a complete no impact workout, he said if I must run, run on the tredmill.
Allie says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20083:10 pm
I don't think I work hard enough on the elliptical. The treadmill pushes me – the elliptical is too low key.
Jacks says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20084:52 pm
The problem with the elliptical is that a lot of people use it incorrectly. You are supposed to lean back into your heels and stick your butt out if you want to work your inner thighs and trim your legs. Standing up straight on the elliptical 1) will not work you as hard 2) may cause your leg muscles to bulk up a bit.
(Elliptical tips compliments of David Kircsh's New York Body Plan!)
Sarah says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20085:06 pm
I prefer an elliptical myself, but that's only because I have one. If I had a choice, though, I think I'd go with a treadmill. It seems like more of a workout.
Alison says:
Mon, 27th Oct 20087:20 pm
Out of the two, I prefer the treadmill. I like to feel like I've really worked hard afterwards and I just don't get that from the E. However, swimming is my exercise of choice. You can get cardio AND toning at the same time!
Phileda says:
Mon, 3rd Nov 20081:03 pm
I prefer the treadmill because it keeps you at a constant speed whereas on the elliptical you have to maintain your own speed. Also, I find that I burn more calories per minute on the treadmill on average.
Mary Kate says:
Mon, 3rd Nov 20083:00 pm
I prefer the treadmill because i love doing sprints to really get my heart rate up. plus its much more engaging because you have to push yourself so hard during the sprint and then you are basically thanking god for the five minute rest afterward!
Tim in PA says:
Thu, 6th Nov 20089:16 am
I would say, do both.
Since I belong to a gym, I have the option to use two types of elliptical and three types of stair-climber/stepper. I do a rotation on each type and also use the recumbant bike. This seems to be the best for me as it “confuses” my muscles and seems to burn more calories. To prove the point, different muscles in my legs are sore the day after each workout.
Lydia says:
Tue, 11th Nov 20087:59 pm
I would go with the spin class!!! A wonderful alternative between the treadmill and the elliptical…… but if i had to chose, then the treadmill..
meghan says:
Wed, 24th Dec 20086:43 pm
I like running outside, but after getting a stress fracture in my tibia, I can no longer run long distances. I find that the treadmill, because of the bouncing, causes me to feel more pain in my shins post-workout. While I think the workout is better on a treadmill, I find that if I want to fully exert myself, a cycling class is best.
judi duft says:
Sun, 3rd May 20094:44 am
I have been running (jogging, really) on a treadmill for half an hour every other day. After eight weeks, I decided to try a run outside, as I would like to run my first 5k in May. Well, I became totally winded in less than two minutes! I was so frustrated, realizing that three miles would be out of the question this month. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to give up now, and I didn't realize that jogging on a treadmill is quite different from the real thing. Any help would be appreciated (I am totally healthy, as I checked with my doctor before running). Thanks…Judi Duft
Tara says:
Thu, 28th May 20092:22 pm
I like doing a mix of both.
I just wanted to say though, as far as impact goes, a track is a LOT better for your knees/shins/etc than the treadmill. If you're avoiding high impact, stick with a track, a field, or even a trail. Avoid pavement and treadmills–and this is coming from someone who used to have shin splints.
Another side note, you cannot trust the calorie calculators on any of those machines. There are websites that will help you gauge if you put in your stats… I think those are more reliable.
Buddy says:
Wed, 14th Apr 20101:43 am
Ellipticals are a great way to get started into fitness. Once you can work yourself up to 40 minutes for 2-3 weeks. Then its time to scale back to 20 minutes per session. AND???…go out and play a sport! The changing motion keeps your body guessing and in tune! Ellipticals should be used to get and keep your heart rate up!
You can find inexpensive Elliptical Trainers for sale on BUYSandDEALS.com.
shop says:
Fri, 16th Apr 20107:34 pm
This article is all about sport crosstrainer and if you read it carefully you would find it very much useful to you in your life. http://sportcrosstrainer.one2click.com/
Kevin Mitchell says:
Wed, 12th May 20102:27 pm
my mom bought a treadmill that is motor driven, i still prefer to jog and run the old fashioned way.'**
John Robert Marlow says:
Sun, 5th Sep 20104:37 pm
Being considerably overweight at the start of my fitness program, I find running or even jogging too hard on the knees. Using an elliptical allows me to build cardio and muscle fitness without the bone-jarring impact normally associated with running. It also sidesteps a number of other hazards common to outdoor running in urban areas—things like hundred-degree heat, rain/sleet/hail/snow, wayward automobiles, muggers, sociopathic canines and (in southern California, at least) choking smog.
I couldn't find a blog devoted to elliptical fitness, so I started my own at http://fitstormblog.com/ , hoping it might help others like me.
John Marlow
fitstormblog.com
Tamara says:
Sun, 5th Sep 20109:53 pm
I have a huge scoliosis, and the trainer in my gym adviced me to use the elyptical becauseof the impact in my spine (not knees) a threadmill would mean; so I use the elyptical, and I advice everyone with serious back problems to do the same.
jeff says:
Fri, 17th Sep 20103:06 am
This was a nice article, a fair and good explanation for both equipments. I used to have a vision fitness treadmill and I experience that thing you said that it wears and tears your knee. Running on the treadmill for hours and hours going to nothing was boring, you are right. But anyway, I had no other choice because I am not comfortable working out with elliptical equipment, otherwise without a treadmill my belly will grow larger and larger. It is still good to have something to do lose calories, a regular exercise of any kind.
kyla says:
Mon, 4th Oct 20106:14 am
I have a treadmill and want an elliptical trainer. Thank you for the post.
Jason Rivera says:
Wed, 6th Oct 20107:46 am
i use a mechanical treadmill at home and it seems adquate for basic exercise~,-
Nate Summers says:
Fri, 18th Feb 20115:37 pm
Great article. Elliptical trainers seem to be easier on the joints but you get a great workout.
Mark Anthony says:
Sun, 17th Jul 201111:05 pm
Hi kelly. Great post. Elliptical trainers are a great way to exercise without adding pressure to the knees, back or hips. This type of stationary exercise machine simulates walking, cycling, running and stair climbing, with far less impact on the joints. I also have elliptical machine reviews.
Elliptical says:
Mon, 12th Sep 201111:08 am
Lots of great info in this post. Certainly made me rethink my future purchase. Thank you in helping me find the right machine for my needs.