October 23rd, 2010 
admin In the fitness industry, the debate revolving around the treadmill vs elliptical continues and for good reasons, too. Both treadmills and ellipticals are great cardio equipment that help increase indurance, increase metabolic rate and improve overall health. From the other side of things, there are some distinct benefits of using a treadmill versus and elliptical. With this article, we shall endeavor to put in our two cents’ worth of opinion.
Tip: The most common treadmills are still the nordic track treadmill
Both treadmills and elliptical trainers provide for low-impact exercises since the motions involved are similar to the natural movements while walking and running. However, the elliptical trainer is preferred by many fitness enthusiasts because it offers no impact upon contact with the foot pedals. People who have back trouble or joint pains usually consider the elliptical to the treadmill.
This is because your feet are in close contact with the pedals during yoru workouts. Compare that with running or walking on a treadmill when the feet are constantly hitting the tough surface. So, in the debate of treadmill vs elliptical, the latter wins in the low to no impact category.
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One advantage to treadmills is the better training opportunities for the fitness enthusiasts who prefer running as a form of exercise or who engage in running for competitive purposes. This is definitely better if the weather outside is bad and you are training for a competitive event like a triathlon or marathon.
Lets not forget that treadmills provide you little variety in the form of degrees of decline and incline. Besides that you are pretty much doing the same motion over and over. Take note that for average exercisers and fitness fanatics alike, the wide variety of possible workouts achieves two things. No boredom here and you will have a lot more variety. This round goes to the elliptical machines.
Tip: If we were looking for just the best, we would look at nordic track ellipticals.
Also, treadmills can only provide for lower body workouts since the movements are concentrated on the hips down to the legs. On the other hand, elliptical machines give a great lower and upper body workout due to the various cross training movements of the entire body. Still, if it is only lower body workouts that you are after, then a treadmill should suffice.
So, if you are to choose between the treadmill vs elliptical, it will boil down to your personal needs and preferences. Read the features and benefits of the fitness equipment before making your final decision.
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