Elliptical or Treadmill??

[Dismom+two]

Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas for me? I was very interrested in buying a treadmill but someone at work stongly urged me to buy an elliptical. What would YOU buy? I need help!!

Brenda

 

[momrek06]

This is a tough question to answer. I love BOTH machines. I alternate between each one on opposite days. I belong to a gym. Have you thought about belonging to a gym at all. Then you could use both of them. Try a free pass at your local gym. Most gyms will let you have anywhere from one day pass to 7 day pass. Then you can see for yourself. The elliptical (as I am told) is for people that have problems with their knees. It is like skiing. It is a wonderful work-out. (I do NOT have knee problems but love it just the same)! Now the Treadmill is great if you really want to walk and run. If you find your knees (after working up to running) are bothering you, you would love to switch over to the elliptical for a few days. As far as a workout goes, I think you get just as good a workout on the Elliptical as you do the Treadmill. I do find the Elliptical is a more difficult machine, maybe because I go at about 75 at a level 5. Yesterday I did 15 mins on the elliptical and 45 on the treadmill. I like switching them up. And as far as those free passes go, you may have NO intention of joining a gym, but try the pass and see if you even like one machine over another. For me it is BOTH!!!

 

[Dismom+two]

Thanks for your input! I DO have a knee that is bothering me lately...I should go to the drs. about it but I HATE going. I thing I am leaning more towards the elliptical at this point. I went and tried some out today and I liked the huffing and puffing it made me do.....yes I am THAT out of shape but hopefully not for long. I have a trip to WDW coming up and I have to get my butt into some shape!!
As far as joining a gym....I KNOW I will not end up going alone and would be better having something at home that I can jump on.

Thanks so much for your imput.
Wish me luck!!!

 

[momrek06]

Thanks for your input! I DO have a knee that is bothering me lately...I should go to the drs. about it but I HATE going. I thing I am leaning more towards the elliptical at this point. I went and tried some out today and I liked the huffing and puffing it made me do.....yes I am THAT out of shape but hopefully not for long. I have a trip to WDW coming up and I have to get my butt into some shape!!
As far as joining a gym....I KNOW I will not end up going alone and would be better having something at home that I can jump on.

Thanks so much for your imput.
Wish me luck!!!

GOOD LUCK, DIsMom+two!! I do want to tell you that when I joined our gym 3 years ago, the ellipitical was NEW to me. I had gone to Curves and decided I needed a little bit more of a workout hence joining a local gym. Well I was intimidated as hell by the looks of the ellipitical. My DH said "TRY IT" (I was fine with the Treadmill). Well, so I tried the ellipitical and LOVED it. BUT, please, being new at it, take "baby steps". Do not get on it and expect to do a complete workout (30 mins) the first time on it. I started out at ONLY 5 minutes a day. YUP, that is right. The next week, 6 minutes...until eventually I was comfortably doing 30 minutes. I now do anywhere from 35 - 50 minutes, at a speed of 60-70 and a level 5. OF COURSE THIS IS THREE YEARS LATER, mind you!!!! The ellipitical also has the ability for you to pedal backwards as well as forward. It really is a neat workout. And you can make it more and more difficult, like you were skiing UP A MOUNTAIN!!! I wish you the best of luck and here is some pixie dust for YOU!!!

 

[Dismom+two]

Thanks so much for the pixie dust momrek06!!!
I am really excited to make my purchase and get started. I know I need to start slow! Just trying out some yesterday in the stores....I can feel my knee bothering me today.
I am hoping the rest of the family will get into it as well. I know my dd will...she is hoping to join the cross country track next fall in school and this will help her with that.

Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[Webbie]

I have both machines and with a bum knee I sometimes find the gait of the elliptical bothers it. I would suggest going to a store and try both machines out. I now use the treadmill(without holding on....that alters your natural gait) and a stationary bike. The bike was bought when I was rehaping the knee. Best of luck with your choice.

 

[twotoohappy]

Good luck on your choice

I use a treadmill mostly because the elliptical hurts my hips. As the previous posters said, make sure you try them out first.

 

[Dismom+two]

Thanks all for your feedback. I have been trying out differnt ones at the stores and have not found one yet that I am comfortable on. I really like the Nordic Track but they are more then I wanted to spend. I may just bite the bullet and spend the extra and get the one I like.

Again...thanks everyone!

 

[bcsmom]

I have a friend who used to be a personal trainer & she said you burn way more calories on the elliptical. I like both machines as well. I think the elliptical is good for your bottom too

 

[Dismom+two]

well let me tell ya.....my BOTTOM could use some help too!!!

 

[Eeyoregal]

I LOVE the elliptical. I've used the ones at the gym for over 1 year now (Precor) and would love to have one at home!

Just to echo what was already said - it takes a while to work up to a full workout. I can now do 45-50 minutes, with the resistance and incline up. However, when I started, I could barely do 20 minutes with no incline and no resistance!! I feel like I burn many more calories on the elliptical in less time.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks for asking the question. I am curious to read all the answers.

 

[kelsco99]

I was checking the market a few months ago looking for a good treadmill - looked at ellipticals but didn't really consider one. Anyhow, it turned out I couldn't afford anything that met my specs so I checked into gym memberships. I joined a gym and have really gotten into the ellipticals there. I use them 3x more than the treadmill. I burn 2x the calories in the same amount of time and distance. In order to burn the same calories on the treadmill, I would have to run/jog and the impact is really painful on my shins so that is out.

Anyhow, if I get the opportunity to purchase for home use, it will definitely be an elliptical!

Kelly