Treadmill Vs Elliptical Trainer

With the advent of various health problems due to faulty eating habits and obesity, fitness has become the mantra in the lives of many people. However, being caught up in busy schedules stops people from hitting the gym or taking up jogging and walking. Due to this, more and more people are buying exercise machines so that they can work out at home. In the whole range of fitness equipments, the treadmill is the most popular one. However, in recent times, the elliptical has started giving it some tough competition, and it is also said that very soon it would top the list as being the best exercise machine.

The treadmill is a substitute for walking and running. One can increase the speed and intensity as required, and it is best suited for athletes and people who are training to participate in the marathon or other such sports events. It gives good exercise to the lower part of the body and its effects are equivalent to that of running outdoors. However, it has been reported that treadmills concentrate only on the lower body workout and is of a low impact nature, which means a person using a treadmill can face problems on the knee joints. This is where the elliptical trainer stands out as being better than the treadmill. The elliptical is said to be the best for cardiovascular exercises and unlike the treadmill, it focuses on the workout of the whole body. The elliptical comprising of the foot pedals and handle bars are developed to give an overall workout, where along with the thighs and legs it also helps in toning down the arms. As it does not need much efforts of the leg, it is suitable for people who have knee joint problems. However, even in treadmills it is possible to do upper body exercise by taking weights or by just moving your hands while running or walking on it.

Human nature is such that anything done repetitively tends to bore people. It happens very commonly in the case of exercise, as doing strenuous physical work for a long time can cause tiredness and eventually boredom. One needs variety in exercises to keep interest and motivation alive in the exercise regime, and this can be found on the elliptical trainer. On the treadmill, the only variation one can do is to change the speed and intensity, but with the elliptical, other interesting things can also be done. The movable foot pedals in the elliptical trainer helps an individual to exercise using the forward as well as the backward position. When a person does forward movement exercise, it is like doing cross country skiing and when one does the backward movement exercise, it benefits the quadriceps muscles, which is something that can be done only on an elliptical trainer. This gives the person variety while exercising and also adds more enjoyment to it.

Another reason for the increasing popularity of the elliptical trainer is its price. The prices of the elliptical trainer is much less than the treadmill. While a treadmill can cost a person anywhere between $1,000-$2,000, the elliptical is available in the price range of $600-$1,400. Besides, the elliptical trainer takes less room space than the huge treadmill.

Both the treadmill and the elliptical trainer are excellent exercise equipments, as both these devices are reported to have the same effect in the aspect of burning calories. Although the elliptical trainer seems to be growing in popularity as it is more equipped for the exercise of the overall body, the treadmill is the perfect machine for people who love to walk and run. For a person who is planning to buy exercise equipment, it is best to invest in one that best suits his or her requirement and comfort.