If you’ve ever stepped foot inside a fitness center, then you probably realized right away that there are two very popular pieces of equipment in the cardio area, and those are treadmills and cross trainers (also known as ellipticals). Being two of the most populated fitness machines in the gym, most people can say that they have tried one – if not both – of these cardiovascular machines, and most have a preference of which one they prefer. But what is the difference between the two, and does one offer more benefits than the other? Let’s break down the pros and cons of both machines, and you can decide for yourself which is better for you and your workout goals!
Pros And Cons Treadmills
Whether you’re walking, running, side shuffling, or even doing walking lunges, a treadmill is a fantastic piece of equipment to help you log your miles and get your steps in. Treadmills allow you to track your pace and incline/decline easily, making it user friendly for those that want to hop on and go without worrying about self-pacing, or how to find some local hills to train on. Running or walking on a treadmill can also be easier on your joints than if you were running out on asphalt since the belt provides some cushion. The treadmill can be an option for those that want or need to train early in the morning or late at night safely as well and is a good substitute for running outside when the weather is inclement.
Though there are few, there are some downsides to using a treadmill. For one, you aren’t actually propelling yourself forward like you would if you were outside; this can then create asymmetries within the body, potentially weakening the hamstrings and glutes over time. Using a treadmill consistently can also hinder your running when you go outdoors since you don’t have to worry about jumping puddles, dodging curbs, and changing elevation on a whim – all of which can lead to balance and coordination issues if you aren’t training anywhere else than the treadmill.
Cross Trainers (Ellipticals)
This machine is frequented in the gym for many reasons; the biggest one of them being that it is a low-impact way to boost cardiovascular endurance while simultaneously protecting joints from damage. This is a key benefit, especially if the user has any lower back issues, knee pain, ankle mobility issues, or any sort of injury that is made worse with high impact activity. Ellipticals are perfect for those rehabbing injuries, having an active recovery day, or maintaining fitness levels without pounding the joints. Ellipticals also utilize both the upper and lower body, with certain machines having handles in order to work the arms at the same time as the legs (although not every elliptical machine has this). You can also move backward and forwards with the legs on an elliptical, giving you the advantage of utilizing lower leg muscles in different ways.
Even with the several pros of ellipticals, there are some cons. For one, you might not notice as much muscular strength being built as you would with other machines. If this is the case, you can always supplement with strength training, or utilizing other cardiovascular machines to help boost muscle gains. Ellipticals can also be intimidating for those with balance and coordination issues, so even though it’s a good machine for rehab, learning how to use the elliptical can be a challenge initially. Having a trainer or fitness specialist nearby to help boost confidence and ensure safety (both on and off the elliptical) can be helpful for those with balance issues.
Treadmills vs Cross Trainers – The End Result
After looking at the pros and cons of each machine, it boils down to this – both the treadmill and the elliptical will help you to lose weight, burn calories, improve cardiovascular endurance, and decrease risk factors for disease. Both machines engage the muscles of the lower body, and can improve strength and balance. However, if you have an injury or need a lower impact workout, the elliptical might be the better choice, while if you are training for a race or would like to increase lower body muscle mass, the treadmill would be a good choice. Either way, the decision to use the elliptical or the treadmill will be an individual one – and remember, you can always train with both!