Both treadmills and elliptical trainers are powerhouses in the world of cardiovascular exercise. You are bound to find each machine in any establishment that rightly calls itself a gym otherwise, it’s just a place that’s been filled with a bunch of other exercising equipment. Having found yourself in a real gym, you will be presented with the option of choosing a treadmill or an elliptical for your cardiovascular needs.

So, how do you know which one is right for you? If, for some reason, you have an affinity towards one over the other, then you’re welcome to take that notion and run with it. If you would prefer to get down to the bottom of your options and find out the real difference between the two, then have a look at the following lists that showcase what makes a treadmill better than an elliptical trainer, and vice versa.

Advantages of a Treadmill as Compared to an Elliptical Trainer

Treadmills were first introduced in the 1800’s, which means that makers have had at least 2,000 years to develop this apparatus into greatness. Some of the benefits that come with modern treadmills (such as True Treadmills) include:

A variety of different options that can customize your workout experience whether you’re interested in weight loss, running, steep climbing or interval training. More calories are burned during the strenuous motion of thrusting the body forward on the treadmill. Using a treadmill calls for walking or stationary running two activities that are natural for the human body, and therefore do not require much adjusting.

The automatic speed controller on treadmills encourages you to maintain an effective speed; unlike on an elliptical where it’s easy to get lazy because you have to control your own speed at all times.Treadmills are known to give accurate accounts of how much calories you’ve burned, whereas elliptical trainers have a history of miscalculating these numbers.

Advantages of an Elliptical Trainer as Compared to a Treadmill

Although it was introduced relatively recently, when the elliptical trainer was launched by Precor in 1995, it was the first of its kind in terms of allowing the foot to roll from heel to toe. This innovation brought with it some advantages of its own, including:

• A low impact that would disallow your joints and muscles to be severely affected. Using an elliptical requires a fluid motion that makes you unaware of how much energy you are really using.
• You can simultaneously work out your upper and lower body.
• The option of using a pulling motion or a pushing motion gives you the freedom to choose whether you want to work your back and biceps or chest and triceps, respectively.
• A variety of inclinations and resistances allow you to further target a specific body part (i.e. calves and thighs).
• The chances of getting injured while using an elliptical are slim.

Keep in mind that your physical fitness level also determines which machine is better for you. Now, take your pick.