Elliptical vs Treadmill

I've been going pretty hard on the elliptical for the past few weeks, and have seen almost no results (I thought it was because I had started strength training around the same time...gaining muscle)....so I started to look around the net for answers. I found an article saying that an elliptical is useless on fat loss because your body just ends up using the momentum, rather than working hard to get you sweating and your heart rate up.

http://workoutmanuals.com/are-elliptical-mach ines-good-for-fat-lo

Has anyone else heard this? I've been reluctant to start on the treadmill because my knee tends to act up. Thoughts? Has anyone moved from one to the other and seen better results?

Thank you!

I LOVE the elliptical. I use at least a level 10 resistance and a level 10 incline for about 60 minutes and I burn out 700 cals. It's great and I have definitely seen results.

The best work outs are the ones you actually do. What I mean is, if walking is your thing, walk. If the treadmill is your thing, um, tread.

I have lost 85 lbs and the only excersise I've done is on the ellioptical. My heart-rate gets up to about 80-85% of max on it. I have only had a 500 calorie food deficit per day, but have used my machine for either 45 mins a day or 60 mins a day six days out of seven. My body fat % has gone from 40% to 22.8% in just five months.

That being said, sure I'll buy that running may be tougher and more effective. But I would never do it, at least consistantly. I have, however, used my elliptical consistantly for months now and have the weight loss, fat loss, and general fitness to show for it.

So, I would say the elliptical is not "useless for fat loss" or that it's all "momentum" as someone intimated up thread somewhere.  The elliptical is very easy on the knees, joints, and calves. It also lends itself to easy TV watching!

When I used to get really good results on the elliptical (don't have access to one anymore) I would turn the resistance up almost all the way--until I could barely move it.  That essentially takes away the momentum and makes your muscles work really hard for every movement.  I would also try to maintain a certain amount of calories per minute burn (usually 11 c/m), regardless of how fast and easy or slow and hard i was going, that way I knew I was putting out a lot of effort and keeping my heart rate up.

I had a torn meniscus repaired and the physical therapist told me to use the eliptical or the bike.  I started the spin class at the gym in January and am hooked.  I take the class 4 hours a week every week since and have lost 31 lbs.  If you can take a spin class to try it out I think you'll find that you like it.