Treadmill vs Elliptical
Treadmill Vs Elliptical – Which One Is Best?
The question is, which exercise machine is better - treadmill vs elliptical?
There is no easy answer. While very different exercises in many key areas, the cardiovascular benefits of each particular machine are quite similar.
If you’re willing to put forth the effort, you can get all of the great benefits that vigorous exercise brings, with a minimum of injury and unpleasantness. So, the choice between treadmill vs elliptical exercise machines will come down to personal choice. And if you use either machine regularly, treadmill vs elliptical, you (and your body) just can’t lose!
I’ll cover some pros and cons for each machine.
Treadmill (pros)
- Walking or running exercise (natural, no training required)
- Many manufacturers, styles and price ranges
- Advanced electronics available (heart rate, iCard, calorie counter, etc.)
- Some machines are portable or folding (for less floor space) – advantage, treadmill vs elliptical?
Treadmill (cons)
- Running motion can be hard on joints, ligaments & tendons
- The best machines can be non-portable and very heavy
- Some of the cheaper units can have under-sized running decks
- Some of the cheaper units can have over-stressed motors
Elliptical (pros)
- Very natural striding motion (most brands)
- Can take up smaller space than a treadmill
- Can stride backwards on some units for balance improvement
- Very easy on joints, ligaments and tendons (advantage treadmill vs elliptical?)
Elliptical (cons)
- Somewhat more difficult to achieve desired heart rate
- Stride adjustment usually not possible
- Less manufacturers (choices) for home-use
- The cheapest units can be very flimsy
Treadmill vs Elliptical – Best Choice?
So what’s the answer – treadmill vs elliptical? Only you will have the final say for yourself. My advice? Get down to your local gym, register as a guest and spend a few hours trying out treadmills and elliptical trainers. When you find one that you can live with, come back to treadmill vs elliptical, and find yourself the best deal and use it regularly!
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