Elliptical trainers and treadmill running machines are the two most popular exercise machines. Either machine can give you a great cardio workout, and either one makes a great centerpiece for your home gym. But there are some key differences between the two cardio machines. Depending on your specific needs and goals, one machine might be a better choice than the other. Let’s take a closer look at treadmills vs elliptical machines so you can make an informed decision.

Elliptical Machine Overview

Since their introduction in the 1990s, ellipticals have become increasingly popular. Like a strange marriage of a cross-country ski machine and a stair climber, elliptical trainers have foot pedals and moving arm handles that allow you to get a bull body workout exercising both your arms and your legs. The arm handles are similar to ski poles and move at the same time as the pedals. Some models allow you to turn the arm handles off. Ellipticals don’t have electric motors like a treadmill. Instead, they have a heavy flywheel with an adjustable tension strap that allows you to control how hard it is to pedal.

Ellipticals have a smooth, undulating, fluid motion and are relatively easy to use. For example, you need a much higher initial fitness level use a a cross-country ski machine, but you can start using an elliptical machine at any level. However, they still take a little getting used to. When you try an elliptical for the first time, the motion of pedals and arms may feel rather strange. But you’ll get used to it quickly and it will start to feel very natural.

Electric Treadmill Overview

Treadmills have been around since the 1970′s and they are the most popular exercise machine. Like ellipticals, they will give you a great cardiovascular workout. Quite simply, they running machines — just like a moving sidewalk. An electric motor moves a wide belt and you must run or walk to stay in one place as the belt slides by underneath you. Most models include an incline feature which allows you simulate running or walking uphill. This works slightly different muscles and allows you to increase the intensity of your your exercise.

While some people may fear sliding off the end of the treadmill if they can’t keep up, electric treadmills are pretty easy to use. They typically include an stop button and an emergency stop key that you can attach to your clothing so that you can stop the treadmill quickly. They also include side rails to support you and keep you from falling sideways

What’s the Same: Similarities Between Treadmills and Ellipticals

Most modern treadmills and ellipticals share a set of similar features. They typically include an electronic console that you use to set the length and intensity of your workout. Most consoles will track the simulated distance you travel and calculate the number of calories you burn. Many models will also monitor your heart rate. Typically they will also include pre-programmed workouts that vary the duration and intensity of the workouts to target your specific fitness goals, such as weight loss, fat burning, or cardiovascular conditioning. Most models also include amenities such as cup holders and a stand or shelf to hold your magazine or book. With both ellipticals and treadmills, the features you get vary by manufacturer and price — more expensive models from better manufactures will have more bells and whistles than the lower priced models.

Both elliptical trainers and treadmill running machines will make a great addition to your home gym and will provide you all the benefits of home exercise equipment. By enabling you to work out at home, they may boost your ability to achieve your fitness goals. While some people prefer the motivation of the gym, it’s certainly more convenient to be able to get a solid cardio workout at home. You don’t have to brave bad weather (too hot or too cold or too wet) to exercise outside or travel to the gym. And you never have to wait for someone else to finish there workout and free up a machine for you to use!

Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Which Workout Is Better?

So, which machine gives you a better workout and burns more calories? That’s the number one question people ask when comparing treadmills and ellipticals.

Older studies gave the workout edge to treadmills, showing that they burned the most calories. However, more modern studies have shown that treadmills and ellipticals both give you the same exercise benefits. For example, a University of Mississippi study found that elliptical workouts give you the same cardiovascular benefits as running on a treadmill. Similarly, researchers from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse took a look at the physiological responses of people using various types of fitness equipment and they found that both treadmills and ellipticals provided substantially the same heart rate and oxygen consumption levels and burned the same number of calories.

But while the fitness results of both machines are the same, the workouts are not. The elliptical gives you more of a full body workout because you use both your arms and your legs. Although you can carry weights and swing your arms while you run or walk on a treadmill, it’s not quite the same as having a “built-in” upper body workout. An elliptical machine can also be pedaled in reverse so you can vary both the workout and the muscles that it targets. The treadmill allows you to adjust the incline and simulate hills, but that’s a less drastic shift in the muscles you target.

The difference in the workout may be a key reason for another difference: the Rate of Perceived Exertion. Most people who try both ellipticals trainers and electric treadmills find their perception is that the elliptical provides a more effortless workout. They feel the work out is easier or less intense, even though they are burning the same number of calories. Perhaps sharing the workload with your upper and lower body makes it feel easier. But whatever the reason, lower rate of perceived exertion might motivate you to follow through on your workout. We’ve all heard about “no pain, no gain,” but “less pain, same gain” can be a good motivator.

On the other hand, although the elliptical simulates running or walking, it’s not actually either one. The treadmill is a much closer approximation of real walking, hiking and running. So if your goal is to get in shape for a 5k, you’ll certainly want the treadmill over the elliptical. Similarly, if you prefer walking or hiking and using the treadmill to replace that exercise during bad weather or challenging schedules, then you’ll want to stick with a treadmill.

Ultimately, the quality of your workout and the corresponding benefits are influenced by the duration and intensity of your workout. If you work out equally hard on both machines, you’ll get the same fitness benefits. The lower perceived rate exertion on the elliptical may be a bonus, but you know best which machine is likely best to hold your interest and keep you motivated to push yourself.

Additional Health Benefits of Treadmill Workout vs Elliptical Workout

In addition to cardiovascular fitness, there are a few other considerations when assessing the differences between ellipticals and treadmills.

The elliptical is a much lower impact workout than the treadmill. Treadmills do typically include some cushioning that limits the impact as compared to running on concrete or asphalt. But running on a treadmill is still a high-impact activity and it can be hard on your knees, shines, ankles, back, and joints. Ellipticals on the other hand were invented specifically to create a low-impact approximation of running. This difference has been born out in many studies. For example, the same researchers from that University of Mississippi study who found that ellipticals provided the same cardio workout as treadmills also found that ellipticals did this with a much lower impact and strain on joints. So an elliptical is a good choice if you are recovering from an running injury of if you have other conditions that could be negatively affected by a high-impact activity like treadmill running.

You should note, however, that while the high-impact of the treadmill might be tough on you joints, such activities do help to promote better bone health and have been shown to help protect against osteoporosis. The elliptical trainer is a weight-bearing exercise, so it will also promote healthy bones much more than other cardio exercise such as swimming or biking. But the constant pounding of the treadmill will do it a bit better.

Space and Noise

Before you buy an elliptical or a treadmill, you need to make sure you have space for it! They are big machines and can easily take up as much space as dining room table or a good sized sofa. If space is a problem, many treadmills fold when not in use. Of course, you’ll still need the full amount of space to work out. But you you are done, you can fold up the ramp and save some space. Ellipticals typically do not come in folding models.

If noise is an issue, ellipticals are usually a little quieter than treadmills because they don’t have an electric motor. But the noise of either machine depends a lot on the manufacturer and the model. So you should try one out before you buy it and make sure the noise level is acceptable.

Treadmills vs Ellipticals: Which Cost Less

There is a wide range of pricing for both treadmills and ellipticals. You can get cheap treadmills and cheap elliptical trainers, or you can spend a small fortune. But like you’ve heard before, you usually get what you pay for.

Consumer Reports took a look at both elliptical machines and treadmills and found that you need to spend at least $2,000 to get a quality machine that will hold up to to serious workouts. Cheaper machines feel flimsy and shaky and are much more prone to defects and breakdown. While these issues might be covered by warranties, you will likely waste a lot of time and energy tracking down the manufacturer and coordinating the repairs. And once the warranty expires, you are out of luck.

Once you hit the $2,000 range, any quality treadmill or elliptical from a good manufacturer will serve you equally well. So price should not be a consideration when deciding between these two types of machines.

The one exception is for walkers. If you plan to walk on your treadmill instead of running, then it’s OK to buy one of the cheaper treadmills. You won’t give it as much of a beating and the flimsy, shaky feel of lesser models will be minimized if you are only walking. Just make sure that you are happy to stick with walking. If you plan to start walking but then move up to running, you should get started with a better model that will work well for both activities.

Treadmill vs. Elliptical: The Verdict

So, as with most things, you have to make this decision yourself. If you’ve read through the article and still don’t know which machine to buy, here’s a summary of our elliptical vs treadmill comparison:

When You Might Prefer A Treadmill

• You are most interest only in hiking or walking — you can save some money by buying a less expensive model
• You are a serious runner or trying to become one
• You have limited space and would benefit from a folding treadmill

When You Might Prefer An Elliptical

• You need (or prefer) a low-impact workout that’s easier on your joints
• You want to include both an upper and lower body workout
• You think you’ll be more motivated by the variety and lower perceived rate of exertion of an elliptical

In the end, perhaps the most important factor in deciding which machine to buy is evaluating which one will give you the most motivation to use it and work hard. If youf elliptical or treadmill sits in the corner gathering dust, then it doesn’t matter which one you buy!

References:

• Consumer Reports: “Elliptical Guide”
• Men’s Health: “Blast Fat with Exercise Machines”
• Mayo Clinic: “Are elliptical machines better than treadmills for basic aerobic workouts?”
• LIVESTRONG.com: “Treadmill Vs. Elliptical Trainer”