Most people who are looking to purchase cardio equipment examine the many machines and exercise equipment available at their local gym and sporting goods stores. Eventually the will ask themselves the question “Should I buy an elliptical or a treadmill?” Treadmills have been on the fitness scene for many years and are popular among athletes, trainers and people looking to stay in shape and lose weight. Elliptical trainers have not been around quite as long, but are rapidly increasing in popularity due to the amazing low impact workout they deliver which is suitable for pro athletes on down to people who are in less than perfect shape or suffering from arthritis or another form of joint pain. Both of these machines would make a great addition to your home gym. In the end the one you choose should be the machine that will help you reach your personal fitness goals.
Elliptical Exercise Machines
An elliptical machine is an exercise machine that allows your feet to stay firmly planted on platforms that move in an elliptical motion mimicking the natural human stride. Your arms reach out forward to hold handlebars that move back and forth working the upper body simultaneously. This helps provide the ‘total body workout’ that you won’t easily get on a treadmill. Ellipticals are considered low-impact machines that do not put much pressure or strain on your joints. This makes it a great exercise machine for use by people recovering from an injury because they can still workout without worrying about creating anymore damage to their joints.
Elliptical Pros and Cons
There are many great things about the elliptical machine. The pedals allow the person to keep their feet in one place. Even though they are not physically running or jogging, they are still getting a great workout in while moving their feet back in forth in a natural motion. This movement strenghtens the lower level of the body. Older people and people with joint injuries can benefit from the elliptical machine because it does not strain the joints. Another great thing about this machine is that a short 20 minute workout session will increase the heart rate and burn around 250 calories. Of course this depends on your height, weight and gender. Another clear advantage of this exercise machine is that it works the upper body with the arm handles.
Treadmill Pros and Cons
The treadmill has been around for many years. It can be found in nearly every commercial gym and many home gyms. The treadmill has a belt driven by an electric motor that moves around rollers for one continuous movement. You can control the speed and incline of the treadmill manually or use one of the preset programs to create as intense a workout as you want.
The treadmill puts more impact on the body allowing for a stronger workout and a way to strengthen the bones. It is a great cardiovascular workout that helps you sweat and burn lots of calories. Many treadmills have computers on them that allow the person to pick their personal specifications. They are also affordable home equipment machines starting at around $300 and increasing.
However, a person must perform a slightly longer workout to get better benefits and burn more calories. A 30 minute workout may only burn 150 calories, and only the lower body is being worked out. This type of machine also puts a lot of stress on the legs and may cause injuries to some people who are not quite experienced.
Ultimately, it is your decision on what exercise equipment is best for you. If you are slightly older or suffer from a joint injury you may prefer the low-impact elliptical machine. For those of you training for a marathon or wanting to push yourself a little harder the treadmill may be the better choice. Whichever you choose, make sure that it fits your specific personal health needs and budget. If you are still having difficulty deciding you may want to contact your doctor or personal trainer and ask what they recommend for you.