Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: elliptical or treadmill?

  1. #1
    Senior Member maryjaneknightly's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2007
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    127
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default elliptical or treadmill?

    I want to purchase a cardio machine in the near future. I am torn between getting an elliptical or a teadmill. My goal is to lose at least 20lbs and focus most of my workout around getting my bum and back thighs into shape. I have knee problems, especially with the right knee. I also want a machine that isn't too loud when I am working out. Does anybody have some good suggestions?
    MARYJANEKNIGHTLY

  2. #2
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    May 2007
    Posts
    438
    Thanks
    14
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    treadmill is a more intense workout. its louder and harder on the knees.
    personally if i had to choose i would get an eliptical for my house even though i use both at the gym.

  3. #3
    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2006
    Location
    LAS
    Posts
    3,118
    Thanks
    28
    Thanked 259 Times in 98 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    It sounds like you would prefer an elliptical but a treadmill is less expensive.

    Walking is great exercise (walking on an incline if you want to burn more calories) and not as hard on your knees as running. If it were me I'd work out on the elliptical machine at the gym and walk on the treadmill at home (also targets muscles differently to use variety of machines.)

    But for YOU- get whichever one you like better because you will use it more. Definitely the elliptical if walking more than 30-45 minutes a day bothers your knees.

  4. #4
    Member bella_angel212001's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    37
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    What about that new machine by bowflex? I think it is called a tread climber? It is suppose to be easier on your joints and combines a treadmil with elliptical type workout. Has anyone tried this machine yet?

    I personally have a treadmil thta I bought from Walmart for about $300 maybe a little more...If you do by a machine make sure it is one that has touch button change... so you can just push a button to change incline and speed in just a few seconds.



    Stop by and show some Luv on Myspace!http://www.myspace.com/workathome43

  5. #5
    Veteran Member Habinairo's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    303
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    I've tried that machine and it kept telling me that I was burning a tonne of calories, but I didn't feel like I was. It takes time to learn how to balence on it. My stride is almost linear, and you have to keep your feet apart so you don't walk along the middle where the treads are separated. It's kind of like walking up hill during a trek. I would just stick with a treadmill on an incline of 15%, they both feel the same at that rate. I don't think it's easier on your joints, my left knee is bummed, and I didn't notice any help using the tread climber.

  6. #6
    Senior Member maryjaneknightly's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2007
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    127
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    what is the quality like with gym equipment from walmart?

    I have never tried that machine from bowflex but I don't use credit cards so it might be a harder machine for me to get a hold of.

    What exactly does the incline on a treadclimber do or help during the work out?

    How much more effective is the treadmill compared to the elliptical? How much harder on the knees is the treadmill compared to the elliptical?

    Thanks for all the info so far
    MARYJANEKNIGHTLY

  7. #7
    God/dess
    Joined
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,352
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    It depends on you mostly . But a tredmill has a lot more options then a elliptical to me . Although I think I can get a much better workout on my elliptical it's much harder to me ( it burns my legs ) .

  8. #8
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    Quote Originally Posted by maryjaneknightly View Post
    What exactly does the incline on a treadclimber do or help during the work out?
    OMG..that little incline makes a HUGE differance!!! IT works out a whole new set of muscles(backs of thighs, butt, etc...) and I really feel the differance.

    I love my treadmill. I can only do about 10-15 minutes at a time at reasonable speed(3.5-4 mph) before I cant breathe(excersize induced asthma)..but I do it 3-4 times a day 5-6 days a week. Added to my weights, swimming,heavy bag and dancing...I get a hell of a workout every week.

    Someday I'll be thin dammit!!

  9. #9
    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2005
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    4,183
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    I went through a phase in which I worked only on the elliptical. Then I tryed walking uphill on the treadmill and prefer it more. I don't really enjoy running or moving at an extremely fast pace. The treadmill helps me make up for those calories by walking up hill. I enjoy hiking too so it kind of gives me that feel with a different sort of scenary .

  10. #10
    Member bella_angel212001's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    37
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    The treadmil I bought from Wal-mart is good quality..I have been using it 2 hours a day 6 days a week for the past 3 months and I have had no problems or complaints. Here is a link to the one I bought http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5156102 there is also a cheaper one here:

    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5156101

    I just noticed that it has recieved a 5 star customer rating!!! and it only cost $349.57

    Also, with Walmart you buy in online and instead of shipping it to your home you can choose store shipping and just pick it up at your local walmart (if they don't already have it) and you do not have to pay any extra shipping fees! Hope that helps!



    Stop by and show some Luv on Myspace!http://www.myspace.com/workathome43

  11. #11
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    I find that, especially when dancing many days a week, my knees are extremely sore already, and a more low-impact machine like the elliptical makes for a much more enjoyable workout. plus i get to choose a pace that works with my music.

  12. #12
    Banned Eric Stoner's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2006
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    5,150
    Thanks
    1,261
    Thanked 1,430 Times in 888 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    Treadmill. It's NO CONTEST. It's more weight-bearing and uphill walking is great cardio and a good fat-burner.

  13. #13
    Banned rozz's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Taxachusetts
    Posts
    2,369
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    Treadmill, but be kind to your knees. Don't start with a crazy incline, as that'll be too tough on your knees. Please don't jack it up all the way. Most people do this, then cling onto the console, fucking up their posture and their gait, which just causes more problems in the long run. And don't run on an incline. Incline is for walking, not for running.

    And if you have bad knees, for the love of God, increase your warmup time. At least 10 minutes of warmup before the actual workout.

  14. #14
    Member bella_angel212001's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    37
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    Quote Originally Posted by Embyr View Post
    I find that, especially when dancing many days a week, my knees are extremely sore already, and a more low-impact machine like the elliptical makes for a much more enjoyable workout. plus i get to choose a pace that works with my music.
    You should try taking Salmon oil pills! It will help your joints out a lot plus you get a good dose of Omega3 (your body does not naturally produce this but it needs it), EPA and DHA!!! I taking about 9 1000mg soft gel capsules a day 1 capsule with my three midmeals and 2 capsules with each main meal. I can tell a huge difference in my body (don't have all those aches and pains) when I take them. I buy the gold bottle GNC brand. I also take Flax seed oil which contains Omega 3 fatty acids but I only use about a tablesoon of that a day mixed in my food or smoothy to help me feel full in the morning.

    Also, I haven't tried it but a friend of mine takes shark cartlige *sp pills for the same reason (joints). Definetely something to look into.



    Stop by and show some Luv on Myspace!http://www.myspace.com/workathome43

  15. #15
    Chicagoeditor
    Guest

    Default Re: elliptical or treadmill?

    Quote Originally Posted by rozz View Post
    Treadmill, but be kind to your knees. Don't start with a crazy incline, as that'll be too tough on your knees. Please don't jack it up all the way. Most people do this, then cling onto the console, fucking up their posture and their gait, which just causes more problems in the long run. And don't run on an incline. Incline is for walking, not for running.

    And if you have bad knees, for the love of God, increase your warmup time. At least 10 minutes of warmup before the actual workout.
    I've always used the ellyptical because I HATE running--it tends to screw up my lower back. Lately, however, I don't feel the ellyptical is challenging me enough. Besides, I know the advantages of changing exercises periodically.

    That said, what's a good 30 minute routine on a tred for a non-runner like myself?

Similar Threads

  1. Treadmill or Elliptical?
    By cutey5032 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 01-06-2008, 09:00 PM
  2. treadmill, elliptical, bike or stair stepper?
    By papillonluvr in forum Body Business
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 09-08-2007, 06:24 PM
  3. Just bought an elliptical!
    By jessica_rabbit in forum Body Business
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-14-2007, 07:39 PM
  4. Elliptical Machines
    By Sirona in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-20-2007, 07:56 PM
  5. elliptical machine
    By Miss George in forum Body Business
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-19-2004, 03:05 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •