If it was your first time walking into a gym and you had no predisposition about treadmills or elliptical machines, which would you choose? While this is certainly up for debate, something tells me the common choice would be the treadmill. Walking, jogging, and running are simply more familiar to us than the motion of the elliptical. But does that mean its better? Each certainly has its merits, so you can decide for yourself.
The original cardio exercise, going for a run has never been simpler or more convenient. Hop on the treadmill, turn on your favorite TV show (if you have a newer model), and run. You will burn calories while doing something that you have known how to do since a time that predates your memory. Increase the incline of your run and rapidly increase the cardio benefits.
But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily all sunshine and rainbows. While cardiovascular exercises are good for regulating blood sugars, increasing heart efficiency and lowering your risk of heart attack, treadmills can be damaging in other areas. Especially while running, these machines are harsh on your knees, ankles, and lower back. The stress placed on these areas is magnified in people who are overweight, too.
The cousin of the treadmill, the elliptical takes the best aspects of the treadmill and offers a few improvements. Whereas on a treadmill you perform traditional running, which involves a great deal of impact, ellipticals allow you to transfer your weight from leg to leg smoothly. This greatly reduces the potentially damaging effects to your joints and back. Score.
Furthermore, most ellipticals offer moving hand rests, which function similarly to ski poles in working out your arms. This ancillary benefit is necessary for total body fitness. The ability to pedal backwards on an elliptical provides yet another set of benefits. If you are particularly interested in working out your calves and hamstrings, pedaling backwards will be the function of an elliptical you find most appealing, compared to a treadmill.
About Author Matt Madsen writes about getting in shape for Livestrong Fitness.
Treadmill
But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily all sunshine and rainbows. While cardiovascular exercises are good for regulating blood sugars, increasing heart efficiency and lowering your risk of heart attack, treadmills can be damaging in other areas. Especially while running, these machines are harsh on your knees, ankles, and lower back. The stress placed on these areas is magnified in people who are overweight, too.
Elliptical
Furthermore, most ellipticals offer moving hand rests, which function similarly to ski poles in working out your arms. This ancillary benefit is necessary for total body fitness. The ability to pedal backwards on an elliptical provides yet another set of benefits. If you are particularly interested in working out your calves and hamstrings, pedaling backwards will be the function of an elliptical you find most appealing, compared to a treadmill.
It’s All About Health
In the end, you’re exercising to get healthy and stay that way. Depending on your specific situation, one of these two machines may be definitively better-suited for you. Regardless of which you choose, remember that maintaining proper mechanics will provide additional benefits. Keep your shoulders back, your head pointed straight ahead, and your abdominal muscles tight. Consult a doctor before you just run off into a gym and go wild on one of these machines. Obviously, health is important and you will want a doctor to clear you for physical strain before you dive headlong into it.About Author Matt Madsen writes about getting in shape for Livestrong Fitness.
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