Elliptical or Treadmill?

If I were able to buy a machine for my home, which would be better? An elliptical or a treadmill? Why?

I am leaning towards treadmill because....well....I don't know.

I know ellipticals aren't as hard on your knees, etc.

Please, help?!

Whichever one you will use more. 

They both have their good points, but I LOVE my ellipitcal. I go on it everyday, and I'm never likr, aw man, I gotta workout, i just do it. If I had a treadmill I probably woudn't use it. But that's me! Plus I have knee problems and can't run, but I do 6 kilometers a day on the elliptical no problem.

Personally, I would get a treadmill.  Why?  Because, at least for me, I can't "fake it" on a treadmill but can on an elliptical.  What I mean is that if I'm on an elliptical and get engrossed in the tv or a magazine, I don't pay attention and start to slow down.  I really have to focus on an elliptical to go fast enough to get my heartrate up to where I want it to be.  However, once I set my speed on the treadmill, I have no choice but to maintain that speed or else I'll go flying off!!  So once I set my speed/program, I can tune out and read or watch tv and don't have to worry that I'm not keeping my pace up.  Also, I think there's more variety with a treadmill because you can manipulate speed and incline, which both totally change the workout.  Not only that, you can walk backwards and sideways (like sashaying) on a treadmill, so treadmills are multidirectional (although you can go backwards on an elliptical too, just not sideways).

Here's the "but"...treadmills are much harder on your body (well, running is much harder on your body than using the elliptical or cycling), so there is more risk of injury which is something to keep in mind.

And I also agree with Kelleigh--whichever one you will use more.

If you are new to this type of exercising or not in decent shape to begin with, I'd go for the elliptical.  On the elliptical you have the choice or working your upper or lower body harder, no impact, and a much more full body, fluid motion.  If you've ever had shin splints from running, you'll know it's pretty painful and you won't be running for a couple of weeks at least after you get them.  Also, on the elliptical, you can monitor your heart rate constantly if the monitor is on the handles giving you instant feedback.

I'd go with a treadmill because I hate elliptical machines, but that sort of answer really doesn't help.

The best answer so far is whoever said "the one you'll use more"!

Treadmill....

Advice from my favourite TV trainer:

Q: Why are you so against the use of elliptical trainers?

A: Elliptical trainers suck! It's not that I'm just against the use of elliptical trainers, I disagree with the need to use any piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment. The elliptical trainer just happens to be the worst of the bunch because of its non-functionality to any real world purpose. The key to being fit, lean, and healthy is how your body behaves and responds to real world activity. It's embarrassing when you have to walk three flights of stairs with a friend and you have to make them wait so you can catch your breath. Training on the elliptical won't make you better at anything. At least riding the bike will improve your biking. The treadmill will improve your running. The stairclimber will improve your vertical climbing and the rower can make you better at rowing. Who cares if you can elliptical well? No such competition for that exists.

Let's start by discussing why people would use the elliptical.

1. It burns calories (helps you to lose body fat). You will burn calories using this machine but what it says you burn and what you actually burn are not the same. The makers of the machine program it to show caloric expenditure based on tension, speed, and the input of your bodyweight. By just using these factors to estimate caloric expenditure is like trying to predict what your child will do as a career based on their grade 3 math marks, what sport they like to play, and their favourite video game. There are so many other variables that need to be incorporated into the metabolic equation of the caloric expenditure during elliptical exercise in order to have an accurate measurement: percentage of lean muscle tissue, environmental temperature, an accurate metabolic equation of the elliptical movement pattern (which, to my knowledge, does not exist), and the level of exertion of the participant all need to be taken into account. Basically what the machine says you burned in calories is probably 50–60% of what you actually did. The machine is supportive and non-impact, which makes it easy to do.

2. It's a low-impact exercise. If you're using the machine because it's easy on the joints then you need to evaluate why you need to be easy on your joints. Do you have an injury? Are your joints arthritic? Do you have pain when you walk? If you're 80 plus years old and have no cartilage left in your knees, I can see some benefit to using the elliptical. Most people have muscular imbalances, which create shearing forces on the joints of our bodies. These muscular imbalances need to be addressed through a proper assessment and corrective exercise prescription so that impact forces are distributed equally throughout our body. This is why runners always get injured. I'm also not a big fan of long-distance running. Avoiding taking care of this problem by just doing non-impact exercise will not make it better. Nonimpact exercise will also lead to osteoporosis. Impact is necessary to maintain bone density. If you can't walk because of impact that's a problem. If you don't walk because you think the elliptical is more strenuous exercise, then I suggest stair climbing outside or in buildings. This is a much more intense form of exercise that is also functional.

3. It's a cardiovascular exercise. Who says that thousands of repetitive movement patterns are the best way to improve cardiovascular exercise? The manufacturers of cardio equipment do, that's who. These pieces are very expensive compared to other pieces of gym equipment, especially free weights (which I suggest you use for cardio instead). The companies that make cardiovascular equipment have a vested interest in marketing the importance of using them. The problem with doing repetitive motion is that you constantly stress the same joints and muscles in the same movement. This can lead to repetitive stress disorder. Also moving in the same direction over and over again leads to certain muscles becoming tight and other muscles becoming weak. If you're going to use traditional methods of cardio training, at least cross train by using multiple modalities so that many joints and muscles are involved.

What do I suggest? I recommend “functional core circuit training.” These are movements done with free weights and your own body as resistance. The movements that humans are designed to do are called “primal movement patterns.” These include squatting, lunging, bending, twisting, pulling, and pushing. If you look at your typical day, you'll perform all these movements without even thinking about it. If your goal is to lose fat, improve cardiovascular functioning, increase entire muscle strength, and perform exercise that will help you in real life situations, then this type of training would be for you. The idea is to have a program designed with exercises specific to your fitness level and goals. You would perform each exercise one after the other without rest for the required sets and repetitions. Your heart rate will be elevated, there will be no impact on your joints, every muscle will be worked, and you'll be performing multiple joint and muscular actions. The only thing that needs to occur is the selection of the appropriate exercises for your body. If this interests you, please see the personalized exercise program section on my website. Why use the elliptical or any other cardio machine just to burn calories when you can achieve so much more in the same time and burn more calories to boot? If you're going to exercise for an hour, make it the most efficient and effective workout possible.

http://www.slice.ca/Shows/XWeighted/Faq.aspx? Title_ID=97067

cellophane_star, very interesting response from that trainer.  I personally prefer going outside for running/walking exercise.   I, like that trainer, like that I'm doing something that has real world benefit... and running is a good defensive ability to have.

Wow. Thanks for all the responses! Cellophane, thanks for that article...it made some interesting points.

I think y'all helped reinforce the treadmill's popularity with me :) I have used both, but the only one I ever used consistantly was the treadmill....ages ago.

I love going outside for exercise, but I hate running outside. Also, I think it would be nice to run no matter the weather or the time of day.

I think that there are some excellent cases made here for a treadmill.  I do know a lot of people use them and swear by them.  I think, however, that you need to examine your own physical condition before purchasing.  Perhaps even speak to your doctor.

I use an elliptical machine, have for a long time now.  Why??  Because my orthopedic surgeon said so.  Would I use it if not for that??  Actually, probably not.  I'd either go outside and walk or run, or I'd get a treadmill.  Unfortunately for me, I'm stuck.  I can't even run 4 steps in a parking lot without being in pain for a week.  So, I think your own condition dictates some.

I was just having this conversation the other day with some workout enthusiasts that I work with.  I have been getting back on the treadmill and avoiding the elliptical (most times).  The results that I've seen in a short time are unbelievable.  that being said, I would like to say that mixing things up is important.  Anyway I did some self reflection on why (for a time) I preferred the elliptical and I came to my own conclusion.  It was easier.  Even at the same speeds, even at higher speeds on the elliptical with more resistance, it was easier. 

On a side note I would like people to continue using the ellipticals.  When I want a treadmill I have no problem finding an open one at the gym.  When I want an elliptical I have a good chance of waiting.