The age-old question we've always wondered about but never quite figured out. Both elliptical trainers and treadmills are used for cardio workouts. But why should we choose between a treadmill and an elliptical? Is there really a difference between them?
It's clear that treadmills and elliptical trainers are two of the most common cardio machines in gyms and, lately, also the most sought-after machines for home workouts . Both machines help ensure an effective cardio workout and, of course, are excellent allies for burning calories and improving aerobic endurance.
If you're thinking about buying either of these machines, it's very important to understand the difference between an elliptical trainer and a treadmill before making your choice. To help you make the right decision, at Bodytone we're going to tell you the pros and cons of both machines. Take note!
Pros and cons of the elliptical trainer
The main advantages of the elliptical trainer include:
- With an elliptical trainer, your joints won't suffer as much, and it's difficult to get injured because the movements are fixed. Your knees and hips will be less affected since the stress is reduced.
- You also tone your upper body as you exercise the muscles of your arms, belly, chest, shoulders and back.
- On an elliptical bike you can pedal backwards in the opposite direction, so other muscles are also activated.
The only downsides we found:
- It is less versatile than the treadmill, since it is a guided movement and the inertia of the machine itself helps in the dynamics of the exercise.
- Less impact on the joints leads to less strengthening of muscles and bones.
Pros and cons of the treadmill
The main advantages of the treadmill include:
- It allows for greater progression and the ability to increase resistance as you repeat exercises.
- Compared to the elliptical, and maintaining the same intensity, more calories are burned on the treadmill due to the force of body weight.
- More versatile as it allows the use of various techniques such as with the inclination and resistance of the machine.
However, it can also have disadvantages such as:
- Although the impact on the joints is less than running on normal ground, the elliptical is even more respectful of the joints, especially the knees.
- The toning of the whole body is more limited, since only the lower body is exercised.
Which of the two is more effective?
While it might seem difficult to choose between a treadmill and an elliptical trainer, it's easier than it looks. You simply need to choose between the two based on your training goals.
In other words, at a normal intensity, you burn more calories on a treadmill, but on an elliptical you work more muscles and the stress on your joints is less, and this is precisely its biggest advantage. With an elliptical, you also have the benefit of toning your arms and strengthening more muscles. However, it's worth noting that the calories burned depend on the intensity and duration of your workout, since if you train on a treadmill at a high intensity, you'll burn more calories than on an elliptical.
The best option for a cardio workout is to alternate different exercises and combine both machines. Both machines have their pros and cons, and switching machines can help break the monotony of your workouts and make them more enjoyable.
For all these reasons, from Bodytone We concluded that both machines are valid and offer benefits, so you can choose the one best suited to your training and goals. But let's not forget that training is only effective if it's consistent and at the right intensity.
Visit our Cardio products section on our website to see the wide range of options available in our equipment. At Bodytone, we work every day to offer the highest quality in our gym products.
You might be interested in: