Wondering if an elliptical or treadmill will work on your weight loss journey? Here are the pros and cons of elliptical trainers and treadmills for weight loss.
Losing weight for better health is a common goal for most people. Cardio workouts are one of the best ways to lose weight. Jogging, running, brisk walking and cycling are all fitness activities that can help burn calories. However, if you prefer to work out indoors and use gym equipment, you will need to look for other ways to lose weight. The elliptical trainer and treadmill are popular cardio machines in the fitness world. Not sure whether to use an elliptical trainer or a treadmill to lose weight? Read their pros and cons to help you decide which one is best for a weight loss journey.
What is an elliptical trainer?
An elliptical machine, also called an elliptical trainer or elliptical trainer, is a stationary piece of workout equipment that simulates walking, running, and stair climbing without putting too much strain on the joints. It provides a low-impact cardiovascular workout by combining the movements of an exercise bike, stair climber and treadmill. Users stand on the pedals and move their feet to exercise upper and lower body muscles, providing an effective full-body workout.
Benefits of an elliptical trainer
1. Helps with effective weight loss
“The elliptical trainer burns approximately 200 to 300 calories in 30 minutes, which is equivalent to running on a treadmill. In addition, the elliptical machine works the whole body. This is why using an elliptical machine in your fitness regime for weight loss can help reduce body fat,” says fitness trainer Mahesh Ghanekar.
2. Gentle on the joints
The elliptical is a low-impact piece of exercise equipment. If you have trouble handling the sudden movements of walking or jogging, an elliptical machine can be a great solution. Low-impact exercises are often less stressful on your joints than high-impact exercises. This makes the elliptical a safer choice if you have osteoporosis, arthritis, or other musculoskeletal issues, including lower back, knee, or hip pain. Low-impact exercise may seem less intense, but it still provides an adequate aerobic workout. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Fitness found that a 24-week low-impact training program increased participants’ body composition, physical fitness, and cardiovascular fitness.
3. Offers an upper and lower body workout
Some elliptical machines come with arm handles. You can move your legs and push them back and forth simultaneously. Working your shoulder, chest and back muscles is made easier by the resistance of the handles. The machine can also help you tone your lower body muscles, such as your quads, hip flexors, and glutes.
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Side effects of elliptical machines
1. Less muscle development
While an elliptical is a great option for a low-impact cardio workout, a treadmill can offer a higher degree of muscle growth. If you want to increase your muscle strength while using an elliptical trainer, try including strength training or strength training exercises in your workout routine.
2. Not so dynamic
On a treadmill, you can increase the incline to add resistance to your workout. However, because the elliptical trainer’s pedals are raised, your body doesn’t even fully support your weight. Your movement meets the least resistance in return.
What is a treadmill?
Treadmills are motorized exercise machines with a moving belt that allow you to walk, run, or jog in one place. They give consumers the ability to change pace and incline settings and provide a regulated environment for cardiovascular exercise. Treadmills are popular indoor running and walking machines that add convenience and flexibility to the workout routine.
Benefits of the treadmill
1. Helps Lose Weight
“Running on a treadmill at 8 mph for 20 minutes can help you burn between 200 and 300 calories. The number of calories burned is also determined by your body weight and the degree of incline used,” explains the expert. The ideal running technique to use during treadmill training is to run intermittently on the treadmill at an angle of at least 3 degrees (6 or 7 mph for one minute, followed by 13 or 14 mph for ten seconds ).
2. Engages your abdominal muscles
Running forces you to engage your core and stimulate your abdominal muscles. This improves balance, helps your body become more resilient, and prevents you from falling. So if you run for 20 minutes, your core is actively engaged the entire time. Regular practice can help you develop a strong core, which can improve your tone, posture and endurance throughout the activity.
3. Good for lower body workout
Walking or running on the treadmill works your calves, hamstrings, quads, glutes, abs and core muscles. So it’s a great lower body workout. If you have excess fat in your lower body, exercising intermittently on the treadmill can help you successfully lose it, according to a study published in the Journal of Aging Research.
4. Strengthens bones
Running requires balancing on alternate legs. This means that your legs alternately support the weight of your body. Additionally, incline and running speed apply forces that double or even triple your body weight. Running on different days with proper form strengthens bones.
5. Improves Heart Health
Running and walking quickly on the treadmill increases your heart rate and strains your lungs, which can help strengthen your heart muscles and improve circulation, according to a study published in the PubMed Journal. Over time, you will be able to run for long periods without getting out of breath, improving your overall health.
Treadmill Side Effects
1. Not gentle on the joints
It can be hard on your knees to run quickly on a treadmill or slowly for an extended period of time. In fact, your knees must support two or three times the weight of your body. They also reduce the shock caused by your feet contacting the platform.
2. Works only on the lower body
While jogging or walking on a treadmill is a great lower body exercise, it does not target your upper body. Although running on a treadmill may seem like a full-body workout, it doesn’t work your upper body muscles much.
Using a treadmill can help you burn almost the same number of calories as using an elliptical trainer. If you need a full-body workout, opt for the elliptical trainer. But if you simply need a lower body workout, choosing a treadmill will be worth it.
Elliptical trainer or treadmill: which is better?
The elliptical machine and the treadmill each have their benefits and side effects for an effective cardio workout. But what you choose for your fitness journey can depend on several factors, including your physical health. If you are more prone to injury or suffer from a certain musculoskeletal problem, elliptical machines may be a better choice because they will be gentler on your bones and joints.
A treadmill, however, might be a wiser choice if you’re not too injury-prone. or joint problems, you want to improve your physical condition and develop lower body strength.
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