A very common question and debate in the fitness realm is which is better, the treadmill or the elliptical? While you may find many answers to why the treadmill is better, or why the elliptical is better, I’m going to give both advantages and disadvantages to using a treadmill and an elliptical.

Should you use a Treadmill?

There is no question that using a treadmill is a great cardio exercise. If your goal is to burn calories, the treadmill will most certainly help you achieve your goal. One sometimes obvious reason to use a treadmill over an elliptical is if you enjoy running, jogging, or walking. On a treadmill, you are not confined to specific movements like you are with the elliptical. Sometimes I prefer hopping on the treadmill because I can run for a while, then slow down my pace and walk for a while, then run again. Changing pace on an elliptical can certainly be done, but it’s not the same as changing pace on a treadmill.

Should you use an Elliptical?

Treadmills have been around much longer than the elliptical machine, but in recent years, the elliptical is becoming much more popular in the fitness world. An elliptical offers a higher intensity workout, and allows you to work more muscles than the treadmill does providing you are using the arm handles while running on the elliptical. In most ways, the elliptical is an overall better cardio machine than the treadmill. Here are some reasons why.

• Easier on the knees. You are not impacting them during your exercise.
• Overall higher intensity workout. You can burn more calories than on a treadmill in the same amount of time.
• Elliptical is safer to use. When you stop, the elliptical stops.

The Treadmill or the Elliptical?

In the end, the opinions of everyone else do not really matter. If you feel comfortable using the treadmill, use it. If the elliptical is easier on your knees and is more comfortable, then use the elliptical. The key is to use a machine that you enjoy, so that you will continue to exercise on a regular basis.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Bonus:

Discover 10 idiot proof rules of dieting and fat loss