Friday, October 17, 2008

Treadmill vs Elliptical Trainers: Which One For The Best Workout?

By Torri Tompson

Unfortunately home exercise equipment is never cheap, which means it is really important to invest in the right machine. For effective weight loss, you need to find out which piece of equipment is best at helping to burn up those excess calories.

The two best selling pieces of exercise equipment are treadmills and elliptical trainers, but which one is actually best at burning the most calories? There is certainly a lot of argument with many people liking both pieces of equipment. However when it comes down to which is best for you to buy, there really is only one definitive answer.

Both treadmills and ellipticals can help you to burn the same amount of calories, the major factor to bear in mind is how you actually use the machine while you are exercising! Running on a treadmill can deliver the exact same results as a workout on an elliptical, and vice versa.

Many people find that running on a treadmill is too intense for their joints - it is true that a workout on a treadmill can have a very deep impact on your body. If you find that you cannot run on a treadmill, then a workout on an elliptical can be just as effective at burning calories, and will have a lesser impact on your joints and muscles.

Running on a treadmill, at approximately 7 mph, would burn 783 calories if you were 150 pounds, and you ran for an hour. Using an elliptical trainer, you would burn 774 calories. But if you only walk on a treadmill at 3 mph, you would only burned 297 calories. That's a big difference!

The number of calories your body burns on an elliptical really does all depend on how you use the machine and the approach you take to your workout. Some people prefer to exercise in a moderate, gentle way, whereas others charge in an give themselves a very intense workout.

When considering which exercise machine to purchase, you simply have to decide which will give you the most pleasure. You will spend quite a lot of time working out so it is important to pick the machine which you will enjoy the most.

If you simply love walking, jogging, or running, then you want to invest in a treadmill. It's much better than walking on the surface of the street. But if burning calories is your main concern, you'll need to make sure that you increase the speed and up the incline.

If you are someone who has experienced problems with the knees or ankle joints, or perhaps you just want to enjoy an exercise routine with a lower impact on your body, then an elliptical trainer is the machine for you. Elliptical trainers are also an excellent choice for the older person, as they are much gentler to the body while still making sure you burn calories. Perhaps if you have the space and can afford, you could even invest in both machines, allowing you to add an element of variety to your workouts. - 15266

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