Elliptical vs. treadmill – it’s time to pick a side! The treadmill and elliptical are the most popular machines on the planet for exercise experts and budding fitness buffs alike. Both are great at getting you moving, and helping you reach your body goals. But which provides the best exercise equipment for home use? It can be a tough choice, with the higher-end versions of each machine representing a serious investment. Let us help! Here are the pros and cons for each side in the elliptical vs treadmill debate.

Elliptical

If you are kitting out a home gym, you are probably deciding between a treadmill and elliptical. Before making a decision, you need to first explore the options. As you probably know, an elliptical is an exercise machine that simulates the motions of walking, running and climbing stairs. Ellipticals are the (relatively) new kids on the block, having been introduced in the 1990s. But you will now find them in every gym and countless homes. Over time, ellipticals have evolved to include moving arm bars, providing a full-body cardio workout. Here’s why ellipticals offer the best option.

Low impact
In the elliptical vs treadmill discussion, the main complaint about treadmills is that running is hard on your joints. Ellipticals don’t have that problem because they are low impact. Your feet never leave the pedals so your knees and ankles are put under less strain, but you still get a great cardio workout. This makes an elliptical the perfect choice if you have a slight injury, or you can’t face the strain of another run. An elliptical will keep your joints in better long-term shape and reduce the risk of injury, though an exercise bike or rowing machine will be easier still on the body. When you are looking for the best exercise equipment for home use, this is an important consideration.

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Great for beginners
An elliptical may seem like it is forcing you into a lot of movement and coordination, but it is actually the easier to use between a treadmill and elliptical. For people looking for a more casual workout, this might give it the edge. Your feet stay in the pedals and you have support for your arms through either static or moving handles. One downside is that the nature of an elliptical allows you to be lazier. It’s possible to just spin your legs on a low setting, but that isn’t going to give you the benefits of exercise that you should be getting. Most models have resistance and incline settings, allowing you to push yourself within your abilities.

Full-body workout
When it comes to elliptical vs treadmill, an elliptical has a clear edge in the scope of a workout. Most ellipticals started out with stationary support handles. But the machine has evolved and many now feature moving bars that allow you to get an upper-body workout, as well as using your legs. One complaint is that it can feel as though your arms are just going through the motions, without doing any real work. But the newer ellipticals have a much better distribution of resistance, allowing you to get your whole body working. The best elliptical models also let you go in reverse, which works out different muscle groups for a more comprehensive workout.

These are some of the reasons that an elliptical should be considered the best exercise equipment for home use, inching it ahead in the elliptical vs treadmill showdown. But the treadmill has plenty of advantages of its own.

Treadmill

A primitive form of a treadmill was first used in 1818…as a form of punishment! When you take away all the bells and whistles, treadmills are as simple as it gets. As everyone knows, they let you walk or run without leaving the house. The most popular top-end treadmills now boast an incredible range of high-tech gadgetry, from wireless heart monitors to music integration and virtually-mapped running routes. Here’s why a treadmill might be the stand-out choice when it comes down to the elliptical vs treadmill choice.

Burn more calories
There’s a reason why the treadmill is a gym classic, and potentially the best exercise equipment for home use too. While new machines come and go, the treadmill is a mainstay. Running may be a little harder on the body, but it is also the most dynamic form of exercise, and studies have shown that treadmills have the edge when it comes to calories burnt. If you’re putting in the hard work, you may as well see the best results possible. Give the classic a point on the elliptical vs treadmill scoreboard!

A natural motion
The benefits of a treadmill include giving you the chance to replicate your normal active movements in an indoor setting. An elliptical is good for beginners due to it being a slightly easier form of exercise. But many people find the cycling motion awkward, especially when corresponding arm movements are involved. A treadmill allows you to use a natural motion, so you have zero learning period and can hit your stride immediately. When a more serious athlete or runner makes the elliptical vs treadmill choice, they will usually opt for the benefits of a treadmill.

Adaptable to any skill set, rain or shine
Want to start off small? No problem, you can stick to walking on a treadmill and still see results. Not sure if you can take a hard run right now? No worries there either. You can slow the speed right down and take it at your own pace. One of the top benefits of a treadmill is that many models will usually have speed and incline settings so you can adapt the exercise to suit your skills or goals. It will also let you do your regular running routes in relative comfort, no matter what the weather is like outside. In addition, a treadmill has some shock absorption, so it is better on your joints than running outside on unforgiving streets and sidewalks.

Elliptical vs. Treadmill – What will you pick?

Now you know the various advantages of each exercise machine, it’s time to pick a side in the elliptical vs treadmill battle! No matter which option you choose you will be able to push yourself and get a great workout. But one aspect that people often fail to take into account when it comes to a home gym is the noise that both machines make. Both a treadmill and elliptical machine will create vibrations and noise while they work. But you can minimize treadmill vibration and elliptical vibration by installing a rubber mat underneath either machine. This will help to absorb and disperse the vibrations, giving you a peaceful workout. A rubber mat will also help protect your floors, as well as your exercise machine.

The elliptical vs. treadmill debate is hotly contested, but it usually simply comes down to personal preference. Both treadmill and elliptical machines can offer the best exercise equipment for home use, depending on your own needs. Whichever machine you opt for, happy exercising!

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