elliptical or treadmill??
 

My trusty ole treadmill just croaked on me! Thank goodness I recently got a Gazelle at a yard sale so I had a back-up. But I do want to replace my treadmill and I was wondering if an elliptical might be a better idea? I would love some feedback from those who've tried either or both and which you would recommend.

Thanks!
Beverly :D

Beverly -- my preference is for an elliptical because I have some foot and knee problems, so no impact works best for me.

I don't know if you can trust the calorie counters that come with cardio machines, but according to the ones at my gym, I burn more caloires per minute on the elliptical than the treadmill. Burning more calories is a good thing! :D

Perhaps you could go to a store that sells both and try both out to see which one you like best?

Hi, Beverly, I agree with Meg because I, too, have foot problems and have arthritis in both knees. I use the machines at the gym so I really don't know how good the home equipment is. I, too, burn more calories in less time on the elliptical than on the treadmill, but I usually go only about 4.3 mph max on the treadmill and go faster on the elliptical. Try them out, of course, and see which one you like because everyone is different. Good luck. I, too, have to get my treadmill repaired...another job for DH (darn husband!) to do!

Hi!

Definitely go with the elliptical! Much less impact on your knees and at least 2x the calories burnt! Ellipticals are super wonderful!!! I use one three times a week (when I'm meeting my goals...) and find it to be a great workout.

Good luck!

I have a Proform elliptical. I love it, you definately get a workout, and can choose from multiple programs. But, its a little creaky and noisy. Never tried another brand or a gym elliptical but would check them out too. I also have the QVC version of the gazelle, but its gotten too easy for me, almost like no workout at all.

Thanks so much for responding guys! I think I'm really leaning more towards the elliptical. I like the low/no impact aspect of it. I'm gonna see if I can try one before I decide for sure. Thanks again!

Beverly

Yeah, treadmills can hurt legs if you use it too much, ellipticals are easier on your joints.

I bought an elliptical from nordick track. I did a lot of research before buying one and it got the best ratings for the price range. The best part about it is that if you buy directly from the website the delivery is free and you can make monthly payments.

Wow, thanks for the info on Nordic Track! I'm gonna go check it out right now.

Beverly

Originally Posted by Meg:
Beverly -- my preference is for an elliptical because I have some foot and knee problems, so no impact works best for me.

I don't know if you can trust the calorie counters that come with cardio machines, but according to the ones at my gym, I burn more caloires per minute on the elliptical than the treadmill. Burning more calories is a good thing! :D

Perhaps you could go to a store that sells both and try both out to see which one you like best?

I think it depends on the pace on the treadmill. Even when I walk fast, e.g. at 4.7 mph, it burns a lot of calories. I alternate walking briskly and running (5.5-6 mph). Sometimes I have cramp in my foot from exercising on the elliptical when I try to go at 60+ revolutions per minute, and it took me time to get used to the motions on that machine. The treadmill is closer to outdoors running conditions. I think combination is best not to get bored and to work differently on muscles unless the physician identifies a specific reason to use one machine or the other.
Although stairmaster burns fewer calories, I think it can also give good exercise to thigh muscles and calves. So I do all three.

I love Ellipticals except for some reason when I get off My legs feel numb and sometimes my fingers tingle during use.. I dont like that feeling my head also feels a little light. I've used them in past without problems but now I stick with the treadmill.

Darcye

Thanx
 

But the strange thing is it only happens on the elliptical or the cycle. I can do the treadmill without incident

Thanx I will mention it

Darcye

I would love to get an eliptical machine but checked www.consumerreports.org and the ratings showed they are either loud and creaky or shook with high impact....so I am opting for a treadmill unless anyone has a home eliptical that is stable and not too loud?

The only one I've ever tried didn't make any sound at all, which really surprised me. But it was gym quality model, and is actually in the gym in my son's apartment building. This made me want to get one :) I've not tried another, so I'd love to find out if home machines are different. I checked the Consumer Reports article, and it was written 2 years ago. I'm really hoping their have been improvements since then. If I get one, I'll have to order online and have it delivered, so I won't be able to test it out. I was considering a Proform, they are affordable, but after reading that they ranked so low in the CR ratings, I'm afraid to get one until I hear from a happy owner.

Dear Bev I would like to personally say that I have an elliptical and have had one for over 2 years and I really love it. I have knee problems and cannot run any longer so the elliptical is my best bet. When I first got it I could only do 10 minutes or so now I am up to an hour each day. I love it I have reebox rel 8 I got it at Dicks. I hope the info helps. Jamie

Problem with Elliptical
 

I went to see my physician today about the lightheadedness and numbness I get from Ellipticals and cycles. He did a complete blood panel and EKG. He did tell me he thinks I am hyperventilating. I told him I only feel funny when I get off the machine, he told me I dont realiize it while I am doing it. He wants me to try it agian for 15 minutes instead of 30 and then walk around and see if there is any change. Also to be more aware of my breathing. I am glad I shared the problem here. I would not have gone in today Thanx:)


Darcye

I far favor the elliptical. But then, I'm a old feller (53), and gotta watch the joints. But I do a heavy workout on the elliptical three times per week, and ride ten miles or so on my bike at least once a week.

I had a treadmill but using it was, well, like being stuck on a treadmill!

I got a Nordic Track Eliptical machine from Sears. It's really very quiet and doesn't seem to rock much. I have problems with the digital readout, but the machine itself is great. I have a treadmill too, but feel like I get a better workout on the Eliptical. But I really think it comes down to personal preference. Good luck!

Here's my two cents:

Ellipticals rock, I love the no-impact. But you will have to spend a LOT more (possibly double) for a really good quality elliptical than you would for a similar-quality treadmill. Go to Sears and/or your local sporting goods/exercise equipment store, and you will definitely find that $$$=quality. I actually went to a store near me called 2nd Wind Excercise (they are I think exclusive to the upper Midwest) and "test drove" a couple of floor models that the guy called "consumer-professional quality" - very smooth, very sturdy, and starting at $1,000. Then I went to Sears, Galyans (a sporting goods store) and a couple different consignment places, and none of the "department store brands (Nordic Track, Proform, Reebok) came even close in quality to the first ones I tried (which were Vision brand - and fabulous. I highly recommend them if you are looking to invest in a really high-quality machine - www.visionfitness.com). I currently weigh 208 and even if the weight limit on the machine is 250 or 300, I don't want a machine that creaks like it's going to collapse when I step on it! So now I'm saving my pennies to eventually get the Vision one that I tried and loved. After experiencing a really good elliptical, I wouldn't take a lower-quality one if you offered it to me for free.

Here is some other advice that I have found through personal experience. There are LOTS and LOTS of ellipticals, mostly "hardly used," on ebay. BUT I would never buy one online without having tried a floor model first. Two models that look very similar in design can have a lot of differences in performance - the most important of which, I think, is the track of the pedals! Some models have a really short track (lots of knee action), others have a longer, flatter track. Some make you feel like you're tilting down into the floor, others are very level. Try some floor models and figure out what you prefer - down to a specific model if you can - and then you can search for that particular model online.

okay, definitely more than 2 cents - more like a buck and a half. But I hope it helps!

Fiona

Well, I prefer treadmills. I tried other ones at the local Y and I could not last as long on them as the treadmill. Mine has a couple programas on it and I can vary my speed and incline witht he touch of a button. Just my preference though, you have to go with the one that makes you want to use it!

I just watched a special the other day that compared the elliptical, treadmill, and bike and the elliptical burned the most calories out of the three at the same pace. I used to use one when I went to the gym, I called it the torture machine because it is when you first start using it, but the pounds literally fell off of me from that machine. Not to mention it does a **** of a job of toning the lower extremities as well as the arms if you get one or chose to use the arm bars that move back and forth with your stride.