If you are not sure whether you should buy an elliptical trainer or a standard electric treadmill, you are not alone. In some ways the machines offer similar workouts, but there are crucial differences between them. That is why the Elliptical vs Treadmill debate has emerged among fitness enthusiasts. In reality, there is no need for a debate, as both types of machines are good at what they set out to achieve. But if you are not sure which machines is best for you, read on, as this article will outline the key differences between elliptical treadmill and standard treadmill workouts.
First of all, before we get into the differences, let us look as some of the similarities. Both ellipticals and treadmills require you to stand up, in contrast to other cardio equipment like rowers and bikes. Also, both machines allow you to have either a light or an intense workout.
One of the main differences between ellipticals and treadmills is the way in which the machines manage the intensity of your workouts. Both machines allow you to change the intensity in two ways. You can adjust the resistance. On an elliptical, this is achieved by increasing the resistance setting, and on a treadmill, this is achieved by increasing the incline. The other way of changing the intensity is by changing the pace of your movements. On a treadmill, this is done by changing the speed setting. On an elliptical it is achieved by simply going faster. Thus, ellipticals allow you to change the pace more easily than treadmills. For some people that puts ellipticals ahead of treadmills. For others, it does the opposite.
Another key difference between ellipticals and treadmills is the fact that ellipticals are non-impact, whereas with treadmills, if you are running, you will experience heavy impact on your leg joints. If you have bad knees, hips, or ankles, an elliptical trainer may be a better option for you.
Ellipticals also allow you to engage your upper body in the workout. However, this does not have a significant impact on your fitness, and some people prefer the more natural motions that treadmills allow.
In any case, both elliptical bikes and treadmills are great for getting fit. But if you are not sure which ones to buy, then you should check out what people are saying about different models. Various online stores allow people to post elliptical and treadmill reviews. This is a good way to find out if lots of people are having problems early on with their machines. However, as a rule of thumb, if you buy a machine with a five to ten year warranty, you can be fairly confident that the machine is of good quality. Avoid buying very cheap equipment if you can, unless it is second hand. Cheap equipment tends to be poorly made and does not last very long.
Related posts: