Thursday, January 15, 2009

Treadmill vs Elliptical Trainers: Which One For The Best Workout?

By Torri Tompson

Home exercise equipment doesn't come cheap. So when you're looking to buy something to help you burn calories and lose weight, you want to know which piece of machinery will be most effective.

You'll hear arguments on both sides of the treadmill versus elliptical debate. Out of all exercise equipment, these two sell the most. Of course, you'll have to make a personal decision as to which piece of machinery you like best. But if it all boils down to which one burns more calories, then there's a definitive answer for you.

Both treadmills and ellipticals can help you to burn the same amount of calories, the major factor to bear in mind is how you actually use the machine while you are exercising! Running on a treadmill can deliver the exact same results as a workout on an elliptical, and vice versa.

It is true that running on a treadmill can be more intensive, and can have a greater impact on your body's muscles and joints. For this reason some people may find it very hard to run on a treadmill. By using an elliptical, you are still able to exercise and burn off the same number of calories, it's just the exercise has a gentler impact on your body.

If you chose to run on a treadmill at around 7 mph for an hour, your body would use about 783 calories. Use an elliptical trainer, and you should expect to use up about 774 calories - so the numbers are more or less identical. However, if you only walked on the treadmill at 3 mph, your body would burn just 297 calories, which is a massive difference!

However, this isn't a cut and dry formula. The number of calories you burn on an elliptical trainer can vary. Some people adopt a moderate approach to their workout on the elliptical, while others go at it full force.

You really need to ask yourself which machine you would prefer. Remember, you will only do you exercise if you are motivated and excited, if you find it boring to use a treadmill, you are not likely to keep up to your workout regime. Equally, if an elliptical does not inspire you, then you are better off with a treadmill.

If you simply love walking, jogging, or running, then you want to invest in a treadmill. It's much better than walking on the surface of the street. But if burning calories is your main concern, you'll need to make sure that you increase the speed and up the incline.

If you are someone who has experienced problems with the knees or ankle joints, or perhaps you just want to enjoy an exercise routine with a lower impact on your body, then an elliptical trainer is the machine for you. Elliptical trainers are also an excellent choice for the older person, as they are much gentler to the body while still making sure you burn calories. Perhaps if you have the space and can afford, you could even invest in both machines, allowing you to add an element of variety to your workouts.

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