Treadmill Vs. Elliptical??

[IamLoved]

Hi

Does anyone know the difference (if any) of a workout on a treadmill vs a workout on an elliptical? I got an elliptical for Christmas and I love it. I guess my more specific question is are the distances comparable on each machine? For instance if I go 5 miles in one hour on the elliptical is that the same as going 5 miles in one hour on a treadmill? I want to do some more 5K's and I would like to know if I am ready for them before siging up. The only guage that I have is the elliptical. But just because I can pump out 5 miles in one hour on it I am not so sure that I can run (jog) 3.1 miles. Does this make sense?

Along those same lines is 5.3 mph on the elliptical the same as 5.3 mph on the treadmill. I would much rather just go out and go for a jog but my neighbors have informed me that there are cougars in the area and they were tracking a jogger from down the road one day so now she carries a gun with her out jogging! I don't want to do that, neither do I care to be attacked by cougars and therefore I can not go jogging around my home.

Any insight would be very helpful. Thanks in advance! :)

[spicyfull]

With an Eliptical, there is no pounding as there is with a Treadmill, easier on the knees. I prefer a Treadmill because I think its less boring. Try cross training doing them both but for doing a 5K, I would stick with the Treadmill. You need to practice as close to what you will be doing to adjust those Body Parts.

[Jehote]

My trainer has really got me into heart rate training. not exceding a specific number. im really getting into it! well, on the Ellip. its harder to reach my target rate, and to maintain it. i do like the machine overall but its not like running.
on the treadmill i can work the angle to make it harder and easier like hills, etc. i vote treadmill!

[Amy Bass]

I do know that an elliptical is easier on the joints and has no impact. It also has the potential to burn more calories than walking on a treadmill.

[cara4art]

I have knee issues(since way back, with having sprained both at different times), so running, or treadmilling is out for me. I use the elliptical at the gym, and the one I use can really kick your butt if you jack up the settings for resistance, ramp, and your own power for speed. What counts really is the one you stick to, and also to be able to intensify one's workouts. People get hung up on long, slow, cardio workouts for all their cardio work, when it's been found that at least a couple of sessions a week of intervals performed really intensifies the workout in a shorter amount of time, and really helps train the body to burn fat too.

[christinajade]

I would never go by what the machines say as far as distance. They always vary. I would use a pedometer with a heart rate monitor. This way you can also track calories and heart rate acurately. I agree with the other posters..elliptical, easier on the joints. That being said, if you don't really have any joint problems. I don't think one is better than the other. I think that alternating with both would help get you ready.

[jimmyblakk]

Well, In my opinion Treadmills and elliptical trainers are two of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment and are excellent tools for getting an aerobic workout indoors. When you compare treadmills vs elliptical trainers, you will quickly realize that ellipticals have only come to the party fairly recently, whereas treadmills have been around much longer.

[Shels]

I'm probably much less informed than most people answering here, but I always choose the elliptical for myself. Mostly, it's to minimize the impact, and that's about it. Also, my ears tend to hurt less than if I use a treadmill. *shrug*

[big foot marty]

The Elliptical provides for aerobic conditioning with much less impact.

- you can also go backwards safely and easily which is a great way to exercise the body completely.

BUT

That lack of impact is potentially detrimental for the beneficial result of weight-bearing exercise in the strengthening and development of bone density.

The best bet is to do a variety of aerobic exercises using both machines.

Don't worry about distance, focus on time .

[Samalmarr]

I find the elliptical alot safer than a treadmill and i can go to a higher resistance without feeling worried about flying off the back.

The one thing better than a treadmill is running or jogging outdoors against the forces.