Adding cardio machines to your workout routine is a great way to get heart healthy and an effective way to lose weight. Elliptical trainers and treadmills are the top cardio machines. Both give the benefits of exercising in a controlled climate environment. Both are safe for beginning exercisers and seniors, while providing the option for a more rigorous workout for those more advanced. So, how do you know which one is best for you? There are several factors to consider.
Impact
The elliptical is a no-impact machine. It’s like running in mid-air. This is a great benefit for persons with joint problems or joint pain. However, some impact is necessary to strengthen bones. This is also referred to as weight-bearing exercise. Treadmills are low- to high-impact machines. The amount is determined by whether you choose to walk, jog or run on the treadmill bed. Many treadmills allow you to adjust the incline of the machine, as if you were walking uphill. Without adding any impact to your workout, you can dramatically increase intensity. Advantage: Treadmill
Calories Burned
Here are some comparative statistics on a treadmill vs. elliptical*
Ex: 180lb person completing 45 minutes of work
Elliptical – 441.8 calories burned
Treadmill – 675 calories burned (9 minute mile pace)
Advantage: Treadmill
For Joint Pain Sufferers
The treadmill can give you a healthy workout when doing walking exercises. Its low impact allows some bone-building benefits, and can be done at your own pace. The elliptical trainer offers no-impact, using only muscle strength to push the pedals. You can pedal forward or reverse to use different leg muscles and adjust the resistance to suit your comfort and ability. Using the handles allows you to work your upper body and lower body at the same time to burn more calories. The elliptical trainer provides nearly the same health benefits as a treadmill with no negative impact on sore joints.
Advantage: Elliptical trainer
For Beginners
For those who are just beginning a fitness routine, it’s important to start slowly to minimize risk of injury. Both the treadmill and elliptical trainer offer a no-to-low impact workout to ease you into your new fitness routine. Starting slow and building up your time and speed is a great way to find a fitness routine you can maintain, since consistency is the key. The fat burning benefits of exercise are best when done every day. A study at the University of Missouri - Columbia shows that the fat-clearing enzymes peak at 12 hours after exercising, but disappear 24 hours after exercising. A little bit every day is better than all-out exertion once a month. The study also shows that exercising for 10 minutes intervals, with a 20 minute rest in between, is a proven fat-clearing strategy - good news for beginners who may not yet have the stamina for a full hour, or even 30-minute, workout.
Advantage: Neither – both treadmill and elliptical can provide a good fat-burning workout.
The Bottom Line
Treadmills are an exercise mainstay for a very good reason. They are calorie-burning, bone-density-building machines that allow the exerciser to go at their own pace and comfort level. Treadmills accommodate all fitness levels to provide a healthy workout. Walking, whether done outdoors or on a treadmill, is an easy-to-do exercise for all ages and fitness abilities, and has major health benefits.
Elliptical trainers are best for those with joint pain or injuries, and for those who need a no impact exercise routine. What you lose in bone-building power, you gain in the ability to exercise in comfort. If joint pain is keeping you from exercising, the elliptical trainer is the cardio machine to start with.
Once you’re moving more easily, however - and weight loss should have a definite, positive impact on your joint pain – adding treadmill workouts to your routine will provide variety and enhance bone strength.
That's my take on that subject, I wrote about this today because i have both. My friends always ask me which is better. I say both, I always switch up the machines and workouts every day keeping the body guess bring the X. I hopes this help you decide on whats right for you! As always don't forget to share this blog on you Facebook and where ever you can, it helps the nation!
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