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TaraReid

Open Question

What is better- a treadmill or an elliptical trainer?

I need to lose weight and get fit, for health reasons. I have the space in my home so size isnt much of an issue im just curious as to which would be better? I do get sore knees and shins occassionally so I think for me probably elliptical would be better but im just wondering if it offers as much, in regards to fitness and weight loss, as a treadmill.

Posted 312 days ago

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Answers (6)

KellyLeBrock

Since it will end up being more of a personal preference, you should go to a sports store and try each one out (like someone already suggested). If a treadmill doesn't bother your knees, than calorie burning wise it would be the better option, but as far as variety and less stress on your joints than the elliptical is the way to go.
I also have bad knees so I went with an elliptical and I love it. I use it almost everyday. I alternate forward, backward, and using the arms. I'm not a big fan of running so it made more sense for me to go elliptical anyway. I do also play soccer so I get my run on that way.
Regardless of which you choose you are making a good investment in your own health IF you stick to it. Don't let the machine become a clothes rack.
Good luck!

Posted 312 days ago

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Ming-NaWen

Hello Leonie,
My name is John and I’ve been fixing and selling fitness equipment for nearly a decade now. Customers have asked me this question more times than I can count. I can’t really tell you which is better, it’s all a matter of opinion, but I can provide you with enough information to make a very well informed choice:
Treadmills are great for building cardiovascular endurance. People tend to burn more calories on a treadmill because the user can be forced to keep up with a specific pace by increasing or decreasing the speed of the treadmill belt moves at. Treadmills tend to be harder on joints if you plan on using your treadmill vigorously, say 4 MPH or greater. (Just so you know, 4 MPH is a 15 minute mile.) However, if you plan on using your treadmill for walking, painful joints won’t be much of an issue.
Elliptical trainers are great for cardiovascular endurance and mild toning. Muscles in the thighs, calves, and arms are used to turn a flywheel. Most elliptical trainers come with an adjustable resistance option that will increase the amount of strength required to turn the flywheel. Elliptical trainer users generally burn less calories than treadmill users because the user must regulate the speed and strength of each stride on his or her own as opposed to a treadmill where a user can set a constant speed. Furthermore, elliptical trainers tend to work often atrophied muscles causing lactic acid build up, the phenomenon that causes a burning sensation after weight lifting. The first couple weeks of using an elliptical trainer are like running on sand.
Bottom line, it’s easier to burn calories on a treadmill than it is an elliptical trainer. However, a treadmill does not offer the same toning benefits as an elliptical trainer. New elliptical trainer users often liken using an elliptical trainer to running on sand.

Here are a couple quick treadmill and elliptical trainer reccomendations:

Horizon T91 Treadmill - http://protreadmillreviews.com/2009/09/horizon-t91-treadmill-review.html

Smooth Fitness 6.45 Treadmill - http://protreadmillreviews.com/2009/08/smooth-fitness-645-treadmill-review.html
Smooth Fitness CE 3.7 Elliptical -http://protreadmillreviews.com/2009/09/smooth-fitness-ce-37-elliptical-trainer-revie.html

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TraciBingham

a treadmill

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JenniferBeals

they are both very good excercise

the treadmill burns the most calories, but the eliptical has less strain on your joints.

i use the treadmill, but i walk up a steep ramp fast rather than run and this burns only a few calories less than running and has less stress on the joints, so thats the best of both in my opinion.

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DominiqueSwain

When do you find that your knees act up. If they act up when climbing stairs and stuff then the treadmill might be better.

With the treadmill you're pretty much doing something which is natural to your body. ie walking.

With the elliptical the action isn't really natural

I have problems with my knees and I find the eliptical aggravates them a lot more than the treadmill does.

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AliLohan

You do generally burn more calories running on a treadmill, but you can burn just as much with an elliptical if you put the resistance on a bit.. it wouldn't be more than a 50 cal difference at most over 30 mins though (maybe 350 compared to 300 depending how hard you work.
But the thing is, your right, an elliptical doesn't hurt your knees nearly as much, and its a bit easier and (in my opinion) more fun, so your more likely to use it more. I find some days I can't run at all because my knees kill, but I'd use an elliptical no problem.
Plus an elliptical is much more diverse. You can sprint. You can turn up the resistance to tone. You can also go backwards on it to work your butt and thighs.
So a treadmill might burn slightly more calories, but it won't be worth it if you can't use it as much or it's not as enjoyable. Or if it hurts too much to use a treadmill more than 3 days a week but you can use the elliptical every day (theoretically).
I'd say get an elliptical. Go to a fitness store and try them out - pick one that feels good, some of them are very different. If you really get the craving to run you can go outside - but you can't do elliptical without equipment :)

Good luck!

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