Treadmill vs. Elliptical Machine: Which Provides the Better Workout?

The elliptical and treadmill are useful pieces of exercise equipment used to challenge your cardiovascular system.

Though both can be used to improve your fitness level, each has different mechanics and particular uses that can target different muscle groups.

What Is a Treadmill?

The fundamental purpose of a treadmill is to simulate walking or running by employing a moving belt that allows you to perform your chosen activity in place rather than moving your body forward through space.

It's an effective way to challenge your cardiovascular system indoors, such as at a gym or home. This can be a great solution if you live in extremely hot or cold climates where walking or running outside is not an option.

Pros

The treadmill has several aspects that make it an excellent choice:

• You can set the speed and incline at various levels, allowing you to change the intensity to your perfect level. 
• Because the treadmill simulates walking or running, it challenges your stability, coordination, and balance.
• Treadmills often have pre-programmed workouts for those who need guidance on finding the appropriate workout for a particular purpose (e.g., endurance, anaerobic capacity, fat burning)

Cons

While there are many benefits to using a treadmill, there are a couple of drawbacks:

• Because treadmills mimic running or walking, you might feel high levels of impact on your knees, hips, and ankle joints, which may be an issue for those with orthopedic problems.
• Since the treadmill is stationary, it can feel monotonous (boring). It isn't as stimulating as walking or running outside.
• Having a treadmill at home can take up a lot of space and be expensive.

Although there are physical and mental cons to the monotony of a treadmill, there are some ways to address these issues.

To reduce the impact on the joints, use a 1-5% grade incline, which reduces direct pressure on the ankle, knees, and hips. To address the boredom of stationary exercise, try watching a show or movie or listening to a podcast or audiobook.

What Is an Elliptical?

The elliptical machine is another stationary exercise equipment that challenges your aerobic system by mimicking full-body motion, plus it doesn't cause the same impact on your joints.

Pros

The elliptical has several facets, making it a great choice for improving your fitness:

• Though the elliptical moves your body and simulates walking or running, it does not have a jarring impact on your joints like the treadmill.
• The elliptical also incorporates your upper body, providing a better total body workout than the treadmill. 
• The elliptical does not require the same level of coordination and balance as the treadmill, making it an excellent choice for those with stability issues.

Cons

While the elliptical has many benefits, there are a few downsides:

• Ellipticals are great for your joints because they're low-impact. However, this means you need enough stimulus that involves bearing heavier weight to stimulate your body to build dense, strong, healthy bones. 
• Because ellipticals don't require much coordination, you miss these challenges, which provide the required stimulus for long-term improvement in stability and balance. 
• Like treadmills, ellipticals can take up space and be expensive. 

Which One Is Better?

It's unclear if one is better than the other. The elliptical machine and the treadmill have specific uses based on individual needs and circumstances.

If you have joint problems or injuries, the elliptical might be better suited for you. If you need more stability, balance, and coordination work, the treadmill provides ample stimulus for this.

Both machines allow you to modify your exercise intensity and challenge your cardiovascular system to the same degree. Both also require considerable space if you plan to purchase one for your home. The costs of both pieces of equipment vary by the brand you choose.

Targeted Muscles

Elliptical machines target muscle groups in the lower and upper body and core. Lower body muscle groups used during an elliptical workout include the quadriceps (specifically rectus femoris), hamstrings, gluteal muscles, calves, and hip flexors. If you use the arms during an elliptical workout, the muscles targeted are your biceps, triceps, and deltoids.

The treadmill primarily allows you to target your lower body muscles, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, tibialis, and hip flexors. Upper body muscle groups are less involved compared to using the elliptical. 

Size

Both pieces of exercise equipment will require some space in your home. Sizing will vary by individual model, so it's important to consider the dimensions of your space when shopping around. 

Be sure to measure and consider the height of the equipment and your height while using the piece of equipment.

Calories Burned

The number of calories you burn will depend on the intensity and duration of your exercises rather than their modality.

While the elliptical may challenge more muscle groups than the treadmill, the intensity and duration of your workout are the primary factors that affect how many calories you burn during the exercise session. 

How To Choose

When deciding which piece of exercise equipment to use or buy, consider:

1. Individual orthopedic health and joint tolerance, which influences the best level of impact
2. Desired training goals
3. Personal preference
4. Size and space considerations
5. Cost

A Quick Review

The elliptical and the treadmill are training equipment that can facilitate long-term cardiovascular training. Both are stationary machines, meaning they provide a convenient way to exercise indoors.

Choosing one over the other will depend on any existing joint problems or injuries and your workout goals.