Comparing The Treadmill And The Elliptical Machine

Whenever I find myself in the gym – which probably doesn’t happen as often as it should – I always end up doing cardiovascular exercises for about a half an hour.

I’m a big proponent of cardio because it imparts several health benefits. Not only does it provide the obvious benefit of weight loss, but it does wonders for your heart and your overall health. It also gives you a boost in energy and mental capacity; I find that my moods are better, I’m more active, I think more clearly, and I sleep better when I’m engaging in regular cardio.

Looking back at those benefits, I’m wondering why I don’t head to the gym and do some cardio every day!

To get back to the topic at hand, many people have questions about different kinds of cardio exercises, namely in the use of treadmills and elliptical machines. Which type of cardio machine provides a better workout?

The best way to determine the better method is by comparing the relative advantages of each machine.

First, the elliptical machine: it has some definite advantages over the treadmill.

Ellipticals provide the user with a low-impact cardio workout, which is very helpful in the long-term health of the bones and joints of the legs. Since your legs aren’t absorbing the impact of running on a hard surface, they’re not under nearly as much stress.

Additionally, an elliptical machine offers the ability to change in the incline so that you’re “running” at a steeper angle. This is good for people who want to challenge themselves, since it provides extra resistance and makes the exercise more difficult.

The treadmill’s clear advantage is that for some people, it’s just easier to run on a flat surface. The elliptical is easy on your legs, but it doesn’t provide a real simulation of running as the treadmill does. This is something to consider when making the decision between the two.

Treadmills are also more time-efficient since a treadmill exercise is usually run at a faster pace. If you run the same distance and burn the same amount of calories on an elliptical and a then on a treadmill, the treadmill exercise will be shorter. If you’re short on time, this can be very helpful.

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