Eliptical vs Treadmill

[bluerain324]

Which do you guys feel is a better workout, the eliptical machine or the treadmill?

I've found I work up a sweat a lot faster with the eliptical, and to me it has a lower impact on my shins and knees. After just so long on a treadmill I get bored no matter what i'm reading. I can't go as long on the eliptical though.

At 40 minutes on the eliptical and 20 minutes biking 5 days a week better than 60 minutes at 3 miles on a treadmill?

I know nothing is a waste of time, but am I selling myself short here?

[Navajetsfire]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

ya know i had the same conversation today with my mother and trainer at the gym......eliptical give u almost a full body workout but the treadmill kills my shins too at 4.5 MPH....do what is comfortable for you.......i decided to keep to the rliptical...i sweat like a pig when i do it for 45 min

[2big4mysize]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

it doesn't matter which is better. What is important is doing one you like and will keep doing. ELipticals and bikes kill my bad knees but treadmill walking even with high incline doesn't so I treadmill.

[divaindubai]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

When I used to go to the gym in Canada, I compared both machines, and the eclyptical would always burn way more calories than a treadmill.

I have an eclyptical machine at home and i love it.

[Richt]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

Personally I think it is just down to the individual, and what you prefer. I use both machines as I try to vary my routines as much as possible to help stop me getting bored.

But what ever excercise you do is good excercise.

Rich

[ttdriver]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

I agree that any form of consistent enjoyable exercise pays huge dividends.

Personally, I hate the dreadmill because its BORING and I never seem to get nearly the workout than I get by running outdoors (another topic for another day) ... The elliptical REALLY makes me sweat and seems like a very good over all cardiovascular workout. Just my 2 cents.

Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

Just do what you like to Do any exercise is good exercise. I myself Hate the elliptical and find It doesn't give me as good a workout as running I am a run aholic so naturally I don't like it. I had an Elliptical in my home and never used it so I sold it. It was a 1200 dollar one and I sold it for Half it was basically brand new. SO Just be sure you buy or do something you love or you will end up spending unnecessary money like me and also you will stick with something you love over the long haul.

Sarah

[Analog6]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

it doesn't matter which is better. What is important is doing one you like and will keep doing. ELipticals and bikes kill my bad knees but treadmill walking even with high incline doesn't so I treadmill.

Me too, glad to see someone else has this problem. I do 2 kms on the treadmill at an incline (using interval training, I walk fast for 2 mins then a little slower for 1.5), and I am up to 20 mins on the rowing machine (our gym has the water resistance ones). I was up to 2.6 kms but I upped the resistance this morning from 14 to 16 so now am back to 2.2 kms. Thw rower gives an excellent all over workout, it is low impact and really shapes up thighs and buttocks as well as being good for saggy arms.

[ProudSAHM]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

I love this topic! Thanks for the opinions! Since joining the gym I have stuck with walking/fast walking on the treadmill and sometimes the bike but I really want to try the eliptical but I am too embarrassed to try it and then get off because it is too hard.

I think I'll try it next time!


ProudSAHM

[addyosu]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

It is true that overall the elliptical will on average burn more calories than the treadmill. I personally love the elliptical! I work out for an hour each time doing interval training and I don't get bored. I definitely enjoy running too though, more so outside than inside. I tend to run for longer distances outside and for longer amount of time as a whole, than say inside where I usually just try to get in my 30 minutes and I think I run faster that way as well. Oh well... I need to find some exercises that will help tone instead of bulk up my muscles, because I don't like it that I am starting to form huge leg muscles. Maybe yoga or pilates?!?!

[bluerain324]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

ProudSAHM, the first time I got on the eliptical i'd already gone 45 minutes on the treadmill and only made it through3 minutes! The next time I started straight off with it and lasted 10, the next 20, and so on. I love gettign a good workout, but I also have that feeling like i'm being watched or something in the gym. You just have to push that thought out of your head and say screw what everyone else might be thinking at that moment, this is for me! You can do that eliptical! Just try it out and work your way up!

[goal65]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

the elipitcal is great but i cannot stay on that for long at all... i push myself to do 10 - 15 minutes on it and im exhausted.. but it does burn calories faster and gives you distace faster and i feel as though i'm working out my entire body... today i did 10 minutes on the eliptical and 20 on the bike (5 miles alltogether)

[Thumper1616]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

I agree, I am sooo uncoordinated I look like a dope on it, and I find it hard on my knees. I did do 7 minutes on it and then 6 1/2 minutes the next day. the thought of doing an hour is beyond comprehention to me at this point.
So..another question...kind of on the same line...as for the stationary bikes.
there are the ones where you are hunched over, ones where you are seated back and all in between... what is best?

[jrnyback2life]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

Hi, I don't "like" lol any form of exercise except sports, but since i need to exercise i started out a long time ago on the treadmill bored etc watching the eliptical people (which i call the devil machine btw lol) and so finally i tried it one day thinking i could do less of a time and get same results. I found on the devil machine i burned TWICE the amount that i did i on the treadmill and so i was hooked, i figured if i had to exerice on a machine i wanted to burn as many cals as possible in the least amount of time as possible!!! But when i am dedicated, i find that i do just as much time on it as the treadmill but burn more calories and work more of my body.

I bought one for my house two years ago, never used it!!! but went to the gym instead to use those, so i just recently sold my pretty much brand new 900 dollar devil machine for 400 bucks! I just can't work out at home!

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Eliptical vs Treadmill

I've never worked out on an elliptical. But I got a treadmill for $200 dollars off of Craigslist and John bought me a small tv to watch while I work out. I work my upper body using dumb bells while I walk on the treadmill. Its great for someone like me who is afraid to get out and walk outside and who hates excercise in general. I'm very happy with my treadmill.