Treadmill Vs Elliptical – Which Is Better?
Posted on August 29, 2010
Filed Under Back Pain Health | Leave a Comment
In the fitness industry, the debate revolving around the treadmill vs elliptical continues and for good reasons, too. On one hand, ellipticals and treadmills are essentially cardiovascular fitness equipment designed to promote exercise movements with the expected benefits being improved levels of endurance, increased metabolic rate and better overall health particularly where the heart and lungs are concerned. On the other hand, treadmills have definite advantages over elliptical trainers and vice versa. We will offer you our viewpoint in this debate.
Tip: The most common treadmills are still the pro form treadmills
Both treadmills and elliptical trainers provide for low-impact exercises since the motions involved are similar to the natural movements while walking and running. However, the elliptical trainer is preferred by many fitness enthusiasts because it offers no impact upon contact with the foot pedals. You will observe that most people with joint problems in the lower back, knees and ankles go on to the elliptical trainer more than on the treadmill.
This is because your feet are in close contact with the pedals during yoru workouts. Compare that with running or walking on a treadmill when the feet are constantly hitting the tough surface. So, in the debate of treadmill vs elliptical, the latter wins in the low to no impact category.
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One advantage to treadmills is the better training opportunities for the fitness enthusiasts who prefer running as a form of exercise or who engage in running for competitive purposes. It definitely beats enduring the inclement weather when you have to train for a marathon.
Lets not forget that treadmills provide you little variety in the form of degrees of decline and incline. Besides that you are pretty much doing the same motion over and over. For both average fitness enthusiasts and fanatics, the variety in workouts helps in two ways. You will be able to ward off boredom from the repetitive movements and you can challenge your body in new ways. This round goes to the elliptical machines.
Tip: If we were looking for just the best, we would look at nordic track ellipticals.
Also, treadmills can only provide for lower body workouts since the movements are concentrated on the hips down to the legs. In contrast, ellipticals provide for both upper and lower body workouts, thanks to the movements required of the feet on the pedals and the hands on the handlebars. Still, if it is only lower body workouts that you are after, then a treadmill will work best for you.
So, if you are to choose between the treadmill vs elliptical, it will boil down to your personal needs and preferences. Read the features and benefits of the fitness equipment before making your decision especially as money is involved.
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