Treadmill Vs Elliptical: 7 Considerations

Are you looking to buy some fitness equipment but are faced with the treadmill vs elliptical question? It's a common question, and not an easy one to resolve. At the end of the day choosing a treadmill or elliptical is a personal decision.

To help your treadmill vs elliptical dilemma, check out the following 7 considerations.

1. Joint impact: Although many treadmills offer cushioning and low impact features, an elliptical offers low to no impact workouts.

For more posts on bulimia treatments Click the bulimia treatment link

2. Is running your primary workout regimen? If your focus is running and you live in a cold climate and would love to run inside, then a treadmill is your best option. However, if you can run outside all the time and would like some workout variety, mix it up with an elliptical trainer.

3. Cost: Treadmills and ellipticals cost about the same for the same level of quality. You can spend $400 to thousands of dollars.

4. Cross training features – treadmill vs elliptical: You can definitely do some cross training on a treadmill by using hand weights, uphill training, lunges, side-stepping, etc. However, an elliptical offers true cross training because of the full body workout (with moveable arm handles).

5. Upper body workout opportunity – treadmill vs elliptical: You can do wrist weight workout routines on a treadmill when walking, but it's not as convenient as the upper body workout you get using moveable handles with resistance on an elliptical.

6. Entertainment: I find it more convenient to read magazines on an elliptical than running on a treadmill. If you like reading on fitness equipment, an elliptical is a better option.

I do find reading easy enough when walking on a treadmill. You can get an excellent treadmill walking workout with a decent incline.

7. Noise level – treadmill vs elliptical: Generally, a treadmill is louder than an elliptical – especially if you run on a treadmill. If you have other people in your home, or live in an apartment, noise is always an important consideration.

At the end of the day there is no objectively best answer to the treadmill vs elliptical question. The decision is one only you can make.

If you want to learn what makes a great elliptical review, then check out these elliptical reviews