Elliptical vs Treadmill
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Elliptical vs Treadmill Training
Planning to lose some weight or be a bit more healthy than usual? Some people’s initial thought would be to go to the gym. All the equipment you need is there. In addition, there are classes and fitness instructors that can guide you as to what you should focus on.
But assuming you are in your small local gym where there is a deficit of trainers, you might find it extremely overwhelming if you are not familiar with gym concepts and equipment. Some equipment look complicated. There is always this danger of getting injured if you do not use the equipment properly. For instance, what exactly should you use, an elliptical machine or a treadmill? What are the differences between the two?
Also known as an X-trainer, the elliptical machine that has two pedals that you step on. On the other end of these pedals are handles for gripping. With this machine, you can stimulate walking, jogging, climbing, or even running, depending on the speed of your exercise. Exercises on the elliptical machine are considered non-impact as it does not require intense pressure from the body’s joints and muscles.
A treadmill, on the other hand, is a machine that has a flat surface that can be inclined, depending on how you want it, where you can walk, jog, or run.
Both the elliptical machine and the treadmill are stationary machines that are used for cardio exercises. Choosing between the two highly depends on the type of exercise you want to do.
For instance, if you want to burn calories, some say that treadmill can make you burn faster as it requires you to move more than the elliptical machine, although the elliptical machine itself is already efficient enough to do that. In terms of injuring yourself, elliptical machines are relatively safer as it provides non-impact exercise.
If you want to work on both your upper and lower body, then the elliptical machine is your best bet. However, if it is leg day for you, then the treadmill should be your equipment for the day. In terms of convenience of using the machine, the treadmill is a no-brainer. The elliptical machine needs you to have motor skills. You might find it a bit odd to use the elliptical machine on your first try.
However, the elliptical machine gives you less pressure compared to a treadmill. Once you start using the treadmill, you have to go on until the time you set has finished, otherwise, you will fall off, but you can always make adjustments. When you pause for a bit with the elliptical machine, it pauses with you.
Between the two machines, there really isn’t an objectively better machine. Both do their jobs well. The effectiveness of the machines still depends on the user and the objective of the user in using them. You just have to know which muscles you want to focus on, what your priorities are in exercising, and which machine you think is more comfortable to use.