treadmill vs. elliptical

[Jenn Barrette]

discuss.


LOL, I just sold my treadmill and bought an elliptical machine, and am really happy with it so far. Which do you like better and why?

I like the elliptical better because it is easier on my knees, and I don't have to worry about my boobs. Yes, you read that right; my boobs. I have to wear a sports bra on my treadmill if I want to run, but I can jump on the elliptical anytime I want without having to go find one of my sports bras.

Downside, if I ever do 5K on it, it wont be the same as completing it on the treadmill. Running is so much harder on the treadmill than going fast on the elliptical. Also, right now my feet tingle for a little bit after getting off the elliptical.

[Paula]

I've wanted to try the elliptical, but don't think I am able to yet.

My trainer actually took me off the treadmill because he said that the exercise wasn't as cardio as simply doing the WATP dvds. At first I thought he was nuts, but as I've been doing them, I have noticed more of a burn than when I did 30 minutes on the treadmill.

[Gemma]

Definitely the elliptical! I have a sore heel so can't run on a treadmill as the impact of each step makes it very painful so I always stick with the elliptical at the gym!

[Tracyfish]

The elliptical is my fav because I feel it more and I get blisters if I use the treadmill for too long.

[Stacey42]

I alternate. I get more miles & can better maintain a heartrate on the elliptical in the same amount of time I am on a treadmill. But I like the the incline/decline option on the treadmill & some of it's specific programs. Mostly I do 30-40 minutes on the elliptical & then move on to free weights & machines but if I am taking a body pump or body flow class I'll start with 15-20 minutes on the treadmill.

I had trouble with my feet & knees on the treadmill but switched to Vibram Five Fingers shoes and they cleared right up

[NettieB]

treadmill = boredom = quit for me. doesn't matter how Nike tries to jazz it up.

with the elliptical, you can go backwards and forwards, vary your toe point so it keeps it interesting.

think someone has an elliptical that somehow combines the two - the footbeds are mini-treadmills or something? that'd be a fun ride

[terrab]

I had to stop using the elliptical because of my feet. After about 15 minutes they started to tingle and by 20 minutes they were completely asleep.... not a good feeling! So now I just walk briskly on the treadmill at a steep incline as I am not a huge fan of running. Wish I could find a solution to my foot problem on the elliptical thought!

[Jenn Barrette]

Sorry about the foot issues on the elliptical Terra! Mine just tingle for a little while after I get off.

Nettie, I am less board on the elliptical too! Oh, and mine has a incline ramp built in. It has 3 options, 10 degree, 15, and 20. Not a huge incline, but I can feel it.

[junipers]

My vote is for the treadmill, I had the exact same issue as Terra! I couldn't stand it. A lot of people tell me the treadmill is boring, but I can put my ipod on and walk forever. Of course, I may not be getting the best cardio workout. I need to bump up the incline. I like walking outside, but I have plantar fasciitis now and I can't help but feel that pounding the pavement 2-3 miles a day didn't in some way contribute. UGH!

[neenee]

I prefer the elliptical. I have an arthritic knee and it is much easier on my knee doing the elliptical. I do notice a slight tingling in my feet when I get off too but, it is not anything that bothers me during my workout.

I also like it because I get a much higher calorie burn on the elliptical than on the treadmill in the same amount of time. (I am not a runner so I typically just did a brisk walk on the treadmill)

[ColleenSwerb]

I think it's different for each person. I used to loathe running and therefore the treadmill, and would always use the elliptical. Now, I like running, so I'd rather use a treadmill, lol. Ellipticals are usually easier on the joints than treadmills or regular outdoor running since they're super low impact.

[MamaBee]

I'm a treadmill person... I just am not coordinated to use a elliptical. LOL! But then, I'm not a runner, so I do a fast walk on the treadmill... which, if you would watch me, I'm not very coordinated either - I always feel like I'm going toward the right side.... so at the gym I only use the weightlifting machines and my cardo comes from aqua zumba or water aerobics.

[eranslow]

I like both We have a treadmill here at home and I use it at least 3 days a week. I wish we had room for an elliptical! It would be fun to vary workouts. But the treadmill works for me!

[lauren grier]

elliptical is def not the same work out as running.. it's cross training- uses different muscles rarah. Is that a bad thing? no.. But it's def not anything like running a 5k. For that you should just you know.. go outside you can do it ^_^

ps you are aware, that i hate both

[NeverendingJen]

for muscle burn-elliptical. for distance and training-treadmill. I just plug in my ipod, my kindle, and start running. I can do miles a lot easier on the treadmill.

[Jenn Barrette]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

elliptical is def not the same work out as running.. it's cross training- uses different muscles rarah. Is that a bad thing? no.. But it's def not anything like running a 5k. For that you should just you know.. go outside you can do it ^_^

ps you are aware, that i hate both

Me no likey outside. LOL I do walk a ton once the weather gets better (sidewalks are still too icy here) I just wanted a way to do some cardio at home.

I know I should try and stick with the running, but failing on completing couch25k was giving me a complex. I am going to try and set more obtainable fitness goals to help keep me motivated.

[Scrapper007]

I walk on my treadmill every morning and it's fine, but I really regret selling my elliptical a few summers ago.

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by Jenn Barrette

Me no likey outside. LOL I do walk a ton once the weather gets better (sidewalks are still too icy here) I just wanted a way to do some cardio at home.

I know I should try and stick with the running, but failing on completing couch25k was giving me a complex. I am going to try and set more obtainable fitness goals to help keep me motivated.

i hated c25k... i think you know this as well.. lol.. But, it's not a big deal.. you don't have to run I was just saying it's different lol.

[KristinCB]

my reason for liking the elliptical more has nothing to do with the workout but the sound level. lol. i love that there isn't a loud motor that runs with the elliptical. the sound of the treadmill drives me crazy

I like going for walks outside and am eagerly anticipating spring to come.. last year we had problems with grizzlies in our town so i'm hoping that isn't the case this year. KINDA makes for walking outside a bit scary

[Nettio]

Originally Posted by neenee

I also like it because I get a much higher calorie burn on the elliptical than on the treadmill in the same amount of time. (I am not a runner so I typically just did a brisk walk on the treadmill)

This is me too. I like the smoothness of the elliptical. I get a good workout without all the extra impact from the treadmill. Plus I like how easy it is to change to speeds. I tend to push myself harder because I don't have to worry about keeping up with that one single speed like on a treadmill.

[Jenn Barrette]

LOL, ditto on the bear factor. We had once in our backlane last summer. I never saw it, but my DH saw it one night well out walking the dog. Hmmm....maybe I should take up running again; so I can run away from any bears I see!

[lauren grier]

Originally Posted by Jenn Barrette

. Hmmm....maybe I should take up running again; so I can run away from any bears I see!

incentive.


though, im pretty sure if you run they'll just eat you

[Kara]

I just can't get a good workout on an elliptical. I've tried, and I really prefer running. I'd rather run outside, but 99% of my runs are on a treadmill at the Y since that's where I have childcare available ...

[sprauncey1]

While I like the elliptical more, I find that I cannot lose the weight after a while unless i run. I hate running, although at the gym they have individual TVs in front of the treadmills and I watch HGTV (with closed captioning) and crank up my MP3 player so it is better.

For those that get tingly toes...I used to have this same issue but I usually pressed through it some. I was then wearing Nike shoes, I did some research found the Asics shoes for my type of step and ones with cushioning in the forefoot and now I can do the elliptical without getting tingly toes for quite a while. If I go 45 minutes or more I do start to feel it a bit, but nothing like before. So now I always try to get the same shoes (Asics 1140 and just got Asics 1160 which I believe are the same just newer model).

[SeattleSheri]

I don't use treadmills, so if I run, I go outside. For indoor exercise, I love my elliptical. I've noticed that if you loosen your shoes, the tingling is minimized significantly. The calorie counters on all machines are notoriously inaccurate (inflating calories burned), I read that only around 5% of are even close to accurate. The elliptical I have is much lower than ones I've tried at gyms and it's not because I'm doing a less vigorous workout.

[mummytothree]

I *LOVE* the elliptical at the YMCA...which is why I bought one 3 years ago....I freaking hated the one I bought!!! And it wasn't a cheap one either....it was in the $600 dollar range!!! It just was NOTHING like the ones at the Y and I'm sure it's because theirs were in like the $3000 dollar range!!! It was choppy and just didn't "flow" like the big money ones!!! It also winded me badly after only like a few minutes and I could go on the one's at the gym for at least and hour!!!

We just bought a Nordic Track treadmill and I LOVE it!!!! It was originally $899 and we got it on sale for $599. It's this one from Sears

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...sName=View+All

I just walk on it but my hubby (who is 6' 2" and weighs in at 259) loves to run on it and he says it's so comfy!!!! I'll never ever forsake my treadmill again!!!!

[Shawna Clingerman]

i find that i go back and forth with what i want to do, sometimes i want to do elliptical because it does burn more calories, and also because to me it feels more effortless - so basically lazy me usually picks the eliptical LOL

BUT i love love love to run when i'm feeling it, when i do the treadmill I can actually count the distance i go (which really, the eliptical doesn't translate to actual distance... unless there is something i don't know maybe if you ski or something i guess). I also find it easier to do intervals on the treadmill, it is harder for me to gage how hard i'm pushing myself on the elliptical... which also really doesn't make sense LOL

The problem for me with the elliptical is that I find it boring a lot of the time... like it is just burning calories for the sake of calories kwim? the treadmill makes me feel like i am going somewhere, working toward a goal... like la said, i can actually use that training to run a 5k or I can chase my kids or something like that.

any way, yeah, depends on my mood. Oh, also, i wanted to mention, my knees have issues too, but doing the couch to 5k program really worked me up to running at a pace that my knee could keep up with - the more you run the stronger your muscles that hold your knee in place can get. Now i almost never have knee pain.

[Shawna Clingerman]

dude, how could i take like 5 paragraphs to say the same thing LOL

Originally Posted by NeverendingJen

for muscle burn-elliptical. for distance and training-treadmill. I just plug in my ipod, my kindle, and start running. I can do miles a lot easier on the treadmill.

[Julie Billingsley]

at the gym I stick to the treadmill because I don't really know how to use an elliptical. I do like that the treadmill is just punch in your speed and then do it. The set speed keeps me moving. I tune out that I'm on a treadmill and just watch the tv. I did hop on a elliptical twice and couldn't figure out if it had a way to set the speed. If I have to be in control of the speed, then I'll be drifting faster and slower and not getting the workout that I want. Do they have a speed control? (sure I could ask a gym rat, but all those super bods act like I'm an idiot for not knowing these things)

[Jenn Barrette]

I don't think there is a speed control. Mine has different programs you can punch in so that it tells you to go certain speeds throughout the workout and tells you when you are going too fast or too slow.

[NeverendingJen]

Originally Posted by Shawna Clingerman

dude, how could i take like 5 paragraphs to say the same thing LOL

*giggle* but you said it so eloquently!

[SeattleSheri]

Originally Posted by Julie Billingsley

at the gym I stick to the treadmill because I don't really know how to use an elliptical. I do like that the treadmill is just punch in your speed and then do it. The set speed keeps me moving. I tune out that I'm on a treadmill and just watch the tv. I did hop on a elliptical twice and couldn't figure out if it had a way to set the speed. If I have to be in control of the speed, then I'll be drifting faster and slower and not getting the workout that I want. Do they have a speed control? (sure I could ask a gym rat, but all those super bods act like I'm an idiot for not knowing these things)

Ellipticals are typically resistence based, although mine also has a mechanism for target heartate (if you heart rate is too low, the resistence goes up until you're at the target heart rate you chose).

[lovely1m]

The ellipitcal is way, way easier, but it doesn't burn the same. I go on the eliptical when I want an easier work out.

[DawnMarch]

I like both, but I get a better cardio work-out on a treadmill. The elliptical is much easier on my knees but I also hate the tingly foot thing. Plus, my gym closed and I was using the elliptical at our work gym which doesn't have the arm levers that you pull on, so it was lame.

[Stacey42]

If you are having foot issues with running or the elliptical I highly recommend looking into the Vibram Five Fingers. I have plantar fasciitis & would get terrible foot cramps doing anything aerobic for too long but switching to the Vibrams has totally eliminated the problem.

Seriously. They are ugly as hell but they work.

[Tracyfish]

Originally Posted by Julie Billingsley

Do they have a speed control? (sure I could ask a gym rat, but all those super bods act like I'm an idiot for not knowing these things)

Usually I pick an Interval or Fat Burn program and then it changes resistance for me so I don't have to think about it.

[ditzyscrap]

My personal trainer has me use both...but I only use the treadmill at the beginning of my workout for 5-10 minutes to get my heart rate up, and then the elliptical for 20 minutes at the end (by then I'm completely exhausted, and she makes me do this routine 4 times: 2 minutes forward as fast as I can, 1 minute backwards, 1 minute forward on my left leg only, 1 minute forward on my right leg only). But she said that if I'd prefer to use the elliptical or rowing machine or bike instead of the treadmill that I could, as it's just a warmup/cardio thing.

When I go in to do cardio only though, I do the treadmill...I find it easier, even if I'm running. When I'm doing cardio I tend to do walking 5 minutes/running up to 5 minutes (if I can do that much), alternating them for 30 minutes.

[kristijoy]

I had abdominal surgery about 2 years ago, and I still find the elliptical difficult. It requires alot of core strength (which can be a plus!). So if you are in great shape in general I would really recommend an elliptical. If you are in recovery or just starting an exercise program, I would stick with a treadmill or even a stationary bike!

[xboxmom]

I hate the treadmil. When I get off my brain still thinks I am running or something and I end up with that weird dizzy I am falling help me stand feeling. Doesn't seem to matter where I look while on it either or whether I am walking or running on the damn thing. Ugh all around hate treadmils, I would much rather run outside.

As for the elliptical I love them but I also get the tingeling feet thing that everyone is talking about but I ignore that and keep going.

It's almost time for me to buck up and get my Bum back at the gym working out with the trainers. Been on injury vacation for too long!

[Angie4b1g]

I don't use either one if I can help it.

I'm not sure I'm buying that the elliptical burns more calories than a treadmill, unless you're talking about walking.

[neenee]

Originally Posted by Angie4b1g

I don't use either one if I can help it.

I'm not sure I'm buying that the elliptical burns more calories than a treadmill, unless you're talking about walking.

Yes, I just walk briskly on the treadmill. I can work out harder it seems on the elliptical so I burn more calories in the same amount of time. This is all according to my Bodybugg's count.

[Traci Reed]

I vote Arc Traner! Think Elliptical meets Stair Master = kicks my ass!

[Joy2Scrapbook]

Elliptical for me because it is easier on the joints. I think I get a better cardio work out since I can set the resistance high when I want to. I do like walking, and since I have two big dogs, walking is part of our daily routine. I don't run anymore, my knees can't take it.

[krystalhartley]

Originally Posted by Jenn Barrette

I like the elliptical better because it is easier on my knees, and I don't have to worry about my boobs. Yes, you read that right; my boobs. I have to wear a sports bra on my treadmill if I want to run, but I can jump on the elliptical anytime I want without having to go find one of my sports bras.

Word.

[junipers]

Stacey, thanks for the tip about the Vibrim Five Fingers. I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for a year and I'm not looking forward to another summer of not being able to walk, hike etc. without causing myself pain. I'll try anything, I don't care if they are ugly!

[NeverendingJen]

Originally Posted by neenee

Yes, I just walk briskly on the treadmill. I can work out harder it seems on the elliptical so I burn more calories in the same amount of time. This is all according to my Bodybugg's count.

Ditto, except I do run on the treadmill. But I up the resistance on the elliptical like crazy to try and burn as much as I can. I don't trust the silly machine's count, I just go with my bodybugg.