The elliptical trainer and treadmill are popular cardio fitness equipment. Both excel at facilitating complete cardiovascular exercises. While also speeding up the fat burning process, not to mention improving the overall aerobic capacity of its users. However, each of these pieces of equipment may have unique benefits compared to the others. For this purpose, the following is a elliptical trainer vs. treadmill review which will try to review the advantages and disadvantages of each of these gym machines.

Elliptical Trainer Pros

• An elliptical machine allows your body to easily simulate a running or jogging movement, without putting any impact on your joints like a treadmill would.

• Virtually all elliptical trainers often come with movable handles, allowing you to exercise your upper and lower body at the same time.

• This gym equipment also facilitates reverse lunge training that can effectively stimulate various muscle groups in your body.

• Finally, research has revealed that people tend to get more exercise than they really realize when using an elliptical trainer.

Cons of the elliptical trainer

• Unlike a treadmill, an elliptical does not come with an incline adjustment feature. This prevents it from offering optimal variations in terms of a regular training regimen.

• Although they have less impact, the pedals of an elliptical exerciser are suspended in the air and therefore have less of a loading effect.

Treadmill Pros

• Treadmills are widely acclaimed for their unmatched versatility. You can choose to walk at a brisk pace, jog, or even participate in an uphill run. These machines are known to feature a wide variety of workout options when it comes to speed, incline, and built-in exercise programs.

• As technology advances, fitness experts are developing new equipment, most of which can be difficult to use. Since it can mimic natural movement, the treadmill is fortunately not affected by this problem.

• Boosting your weight requires a lot of effort as a result your body will be able to burn more calories very quickly.

• Treadmills have been around since the 19th century. This means that they have undergone extensive research and development and are therefore more refined than any other cardio equipment.

Treadmill Cons

• Using a treadmill can put a negative strain on your joints. Running on such a machine places significant stress on the spinal cord, hips, knees, and even ankle joints. This is especially true if it is not stretched or warmed up before use.

• Some recent research has revealed that the actual size of the treadmill you run on can trigger disturbances in the way you walk or run, leading to muscle imbalances.

Conclusion

The elliptical trainer can be a great piece of equipment for those who want to improve their cardiovascular fitness with reduced impact. A treadmill, on the other hand, presents more versatility since its motor will force you to exercise beyond your “comfort” zone. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose which one is best to integrate into your regular exercise routine.