Elliptical or treadmill, which is the better work out?

[zylander]

I have two friends who work out at the gym regularly. One says that the elliptical is a better workout over a treadmill; that it puts less stress on your joints and burns more calories. The other says pretty much the opposite that they put equal stress on your joints and that you will burn more calories on a treadmill.

I want to start going back to the gym and Im wondering if I should try out the elliptical.. I use to always just run on the treadmill but if the elliptical really is better on your joints and burns an equal amount or more calories then I may switch to that.

Anyone in here who exercises regularly at the gym have any input on these two machines?

 

[Queasy]

I've used both and I find the elliptical puts less impact on my knees and ankles. I've got a problem with one ankle that keeps me from running on the treadmill for more than 12 minutes or so. I can go on the elliptical for as long as I want though.

 

[Sensai]

if the calorie calculator is correct on the machines, then you should burn more on the eliptical than on the treadmill within the same amount of time with average difficulty.. however, running on the treadmill works out your cardiovascular and endurance much more.

 

[timosyy]

Indoor rowing machine/Ergometer.

 

[KillerCharlie]

They both have their pros and cons. I do most of my time on elliptical because I can burn much more calories with less wear on my body. However, I still do the treadmill. I think it conditions me more for actual physical activities.

The stress on your legs may put wear and tear on your body, but it's actually good for building bone. I used to only run, but it just wore me down too much. Now I do 30-40 minutes on the elliptical followed by running 0.5-1 miles on a treadmill.

 

[brblx]

treadmill does more, elliptical is easier on the joints.

i would want to do at least some real running, certainly not all elliptical.

 

[xanis]

I usually go to the gym 5 days a week and do a little cardio each time I go. I've used both the treadmill and the elliptical, and IMO, the elliptical provides a better workout, and I use it exclusively now.

 

[Leros]

I've never liked running on a treadmill. It doesn't feel right.

 

[glenn beck]

You can get just as good as a workout on either machine. You can't go by the calorie count because everyones metabolic rate is different. It all falls down to getting your heartrate up for an extended period of time(55% - 85% of your target heart rate)

 

[BarneyFife]

Definately treadmill but I'm going to start mixing it up more because I'm getting sick of running all the time.

 

[bommy261]

You can get just as good as a workout on either machine. You can't go by the calorie count because everyones metabolic rate is different. It all falls down to getting your heartrate up for an extended period of time(55% - 85% of your target heart rate)

This. As long as your heartrate is the same for both machines, your body is circulating the same amount of blood to get oxygen to your muscles.

 

[shortylickens]

Wrong forum newb.


Elliptical is generally considered a better workout, and its less impact on the joints.
But I am sure either could give a great workout if properly used.

Also, nothing beats swimming, so all this is moot.