Elliptical or Treadmill or what

[PebblesMK]

Just adding this in. I have a nordic track, pretty sure they're not as popular now, but they give an amazing workout. The tension on the arm and legs can be adjusted, but it really targets the arms and back. It's not "fun", but it gets the job done. If you're only choosing between an eliptical and a treadmill, treadmill is much easier for me, but I can go an hour on the eliptical and it feels like maybe 10 minutes. Yeah, I'm weird.

 

[wdwiala]

Just adding this in. I have a nordic track, pretty sure they're not as popular now, but they give an amazing workout. The tension on the arm and legs can be adjusted, but it really targets the arms and back. It's not "fun", but it gets the job done. If you're only choosing between an eliptical and a treadmill, treadmill is much easier for me, but I can go an hour on the eliptical and it feels like maybe 10 minutes. Yeah, I'm weird.

Ha! I had a Nordictrack years ago. I never had the coordination to do it well. I really tried but it was sad!

 

[PebblesMK]

Ha! I had a Nordictrack years ago. I never had the coordination to do it well. I really tried but it was sad!

It's amazing how much coordination it takes! I went on mine after it collected dust for a few years and I completely biffed and my face ate the "stomach rest".....That's when I learned that there was no tension on the ski's. I swore off that thing and ate some ice cream instead!

 

[All American]

Not a fan of the Elliptical because, for some weird reason, the outsides of my feet fall asleep. Don't know if it's a form issue or what.

The treadmill, on the other hand, is my preference. I started the Couch to 5K program as my New Year's Resolution. I completed the program in a little over the nine weeks it should, technically, take to finish. (I repeated a few weeks if I didn't feel ready to progress to the next week, that's why it took longer.) My reward for completing the program was going to a running store and getting "real" running shoes--my knees and feet are so very happy.

So, my vote is the treadmill.

 

[FireDancer]

The most important thing to do is get a piece of equipment you will use. As others have mentioned, investing a lot of money on anything that will just sit in the corner won't help anyone. You may want to consider getting a one month trial membership at a gym and try both the elliptical and treadmill and see which one you like better. At least then you will have some time put into both without a salesman standing over you.

Have you considered walking outside instead of a treadmill? It is free (other then shoes which you will need for a treadmill anyway), less monotonous, and works your leg muscles more naturally then a treadmill.

I may be biased, I hate the treadmill and it takes a really bad winter day to force me to use one.

Whichever you choose good luck.

 

[Christine]

Have you considered walking outside instead of a treadmill? It is free (other then shoes which you will need for a treadmill anyway), less monotonous, and works your leg muscles more naturally then a treadmill.

I may be biased, I hate the treadmill and it takes a really bad winter day to force me to use one.

Whichever you choose good luck.

Also, take into account your climate. If you get bad weather a lot, a piece of equipment may be right for you. Also, I live in an area where there is a LOT of traffic. Sometimes it is even hard for me to cross the road to get to the "better place to walk." I don't find outdoor exercise overly enjoyable during the week because of this reason and often rely on my treadmill. I just hate having all those cars whizzing by me. Walking/jogging should be kind of relaxing I think.