The age-old question in the gym: Treadmill or elliptical? Both machines offer fantastic cardiovascular workouts, but they work your body in different ways. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with both for years myself. As a powerlifter with sore knees, I know the value of a low-impact movement like those produced by the elliptical. As someone who has to cut weight for bodybuilding contests, I also value the demonstrable effect a treadmill can have. Don’t let budget be a concern. You can buy treadmills and ellipticals for pretty much the same money. The good news is, I can’t see a wrong answer here. Either or will work wonders for you. To some degree, it’s a matter of preference.
Picking between an elliptical and a treadmill for your home can be difficult. They’re both great. Photo by Treadmillreviews.net
Let’s break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one is the perfect fit for your fitness goals.
Treadmill: The Classic Cardio Machine
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The NordicTrack X24 treadmill sports a whopping 40% incline and 24″ high-definition screen. Photo by Roman Kim
Elliptical: The Low-Impact Champion
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A big advantage to trainers and ellipticals is how easy they are on the joints. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net
What Does the Research Say?
The research is pretty clear here in terms of fat-burning and overall cardiovascular training. I haven’t found a published research paper yet that didn’t report better results from the treadmill in terms of maximal fat oxidation. You can check this recent article out here which in my opinion is representative of the body of research. In this 2021 piece published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine we see the treadmill, elliptical, and rower tested by nine healthy males, who were monitored for peak oxygen consumption. The experiment used indirect calorimetry to assess VO2 scores, maximal fat oxidation, and exercise intensity, while venous blood was collected to assess lactate and blood gas concentration. All in all, a very thorough test which found the treadmill winning on all fronts. But…..
My problem here is that as usual, we’re testing a small pool of otherwise healthy males and standardizing the measures and assuming equal intensity. None of us come into the gym standardized. And the fact is intensity makes all the difference in the world. The fact is ellipticals are much easier on your joints and for many people, much easier to use to their own maximal intensity. The treadmill won’t do you as much good as an elliptical if you have to use it gently. People who are suffering from obesity typically have mobility issues. Treadmills might not be right for them. Joint pain rules the day with people in the 300-pound club.
Meanwhile, I’ve never failed to gas myself out on an elliptical. So, it’s certainly easier on your joints to work out to your own potential using an elliptical. This has certainly been the case in my own home when testing treadmills. Also, if your flooring isn’t stable, and you don’t feel comfortable running on the treadmill in your home, but rather use it as a walker, then you might get a better burn from the elliptical.
Whatever you do, don’t forgo the elliptical workout because you think it’s not equal to that of a treadmill.
Which Machine Should You Choose?
The best machine for you depends on your individual needs and preferences:
- Choose a treadmill if: You want to burn a lot of calories, improve your running speed, or build lower body strength.
- Choose an elliptical if: You have joint pain, want a full-body workout, or prefer a low-impact exercise.
Ultimately, the best machine is the one you enjoy using and will stick with consistently.
Resources to Help You Choose Between an Elliptical and a Treadmill?
If you’re shopping right now, check out these helpful guides here. Irrespective of your budget, whether high or low, there’s a ton of great options online.
Works Cited
- Maximal Fat Oxidation: Comparison Between Treadmill, Elliptical and Rowing Exercises. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2021, March 1;20(1):170–178. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2021.170.
