It is difficult to choose a piece of home exercise equipment when you have two options like elliptical machines or treadmills. Both offer great advantages which make it a personal preference more than anything.
The best way to start analyzing between the two is to start with the basics. Studies have shown that elliptical machines and treadmills alike offer great cardiovascular workouts. These studies have also shown that the overall calorie burn between the two pieces of machinery is near equal. With this, if a cardiovascular workout with calorie burning is your only concern, then the decision is a tossup.
What's interesting, though, is that users of elliptical machines have consistently reported a sense of expending considerably less effort during their workout than treadmill users.
A big reason for this is the full body workout offered by elliptical machines. Elliptical machines extend the cardiovascular workout to the arms, back, chest, legs, and hips, without ever overtaxing a single muscle group. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who do not enjoy exercise, but are in need of a cardiovascular workout.
Another major benefit of elliptical machines over treadmills is the variety of workout. While treadmills offer speed and incline variations, they do not offer any variation for the arms or upper body. Elliptical machines on the other hand offer resistance control and backward motion along with incline and speed variation.
This variety can help prevent overuse injuries and may actually improve the effects of your training over the long run, because your body never becomes fully accustomed to a regular "routine."
Lastly, the joints and overall pressure may be a concern when exercising. Many runners experience joint problems later in their lives due to the pressure on the joints that is impacted with each step. The wide range of circular motion offered by elliptical machines relieve pressure on the joints that running cannot.
When all is said and done, elliptical machines and treadmills both allow the body to burn calories and have great indoor exercise. If you have other concerns such as overall workout, safety, or joint problems, then you should give some thought to the matter before deciding.
The best way to start analyzing between the two is to start with the basics. Studies have shown that elliptical machines and treadmills alike offer great cardiovascular workouts. These studies have also shown that the overall calorie burn between the two pieces of machinery is near equal. With this, if a cardiovascular workout with calorie burning is your only concern, then the decision is a tossup.
What's interesting, though, is that users of elliptical machines have consistently reported a sense of expending considerably less effort during their workout than treadmill users.
A big reason for this is the full body workout offered by elliptical machines. Elliptical machines extend the cardiovascular workout to the arms, back, chest, legs, and hips, without ever overtaxing a single muscle group. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who do not enjoy exercise, but are in need of a cardiovascular workout.
Another major benefit of elliptical machines over treadmills is the variety of workout. While treadmills offer speed and incline variations, they do not offer any variation for the arms or upper body. Elliptical machines on the other hand offer resistance control and backward motion along with incline and speed variation.
This variety can help prevent overuse injuries and may actually improve the effects of your training over the long run, because your body never becomes fully accustomed to a regular "routine."
Lastly, the joints and overall pressure may be a concern when exercising. Many runners experience joint problems later in their lives due to the pressure on the joints that is impacted with each step. The wide range of circular motion offered by elliptical machines relieve pressure on the joints that running cannot.
When all is said and done, elliptical machines and treadmills both allow the body to burn calories and have great indoor exercise. If you have other concerns such as overall workout, safety, or joint problems, then you should give some thought to the matter before deciding.
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