| There is considerable controversy these days | | | | provides you with various programs that can |
| on whether a treadmill or an elliptical | | | | add variety to your exercise. But to get |
| trainer burns more calories. Treadmills and | | | | results you need to crank up the speed and/or |
| ellipticals are the #1 and #2 most popular | | | | incline. Without pushing yourself, you will |
| selling fitness equipment. | | | | limit the number of calories you burn. |
| | | | |
| Many dedicated treadmill users are switching | | | | As mentioned, the elliptical trainer is |
| to elliptical trainers. The appeal is the low | | | | growing in popularity due to the low impact, |
| impact, upper and lower body workout. | | | | and combined upper and lower body workout. |
| Although treadmills still outsell elliptical | | | | Since the machine moves in an elliptical |
| trainers. The reason being, the most common | | | | motion and your feet never leave the pedals, |
| form of exercising is walking and jogging. | | | | it minimizes the impact and strain to your |
| | | | ankles, knees and back. This is an appeal |
| In my research, I came across a number of | | | | feature to the aging baby boomer generation. |
| reports and studies, and in general, it | | | | |
| appears that both machines give comparable | | | | In addition, an elliptical trainer workouts |
| results in burning calories. In fact, using a | | | | both the upper and lower body simultaneously. |
| calorie burn calculator on I found that a | | | | The upper and lower body exercise utilizes |
| workout on an elliptical gives you the same | | | | the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, |
| results as running on a treadmill, but you | | | | back, triceps and biceps. Studies suggest |
| burn fewer calories if you walk or jog on a | | | | that exercising numerous muscle groups |
| treadmill. | | | | increases fat burning efficiency. The larger |
| | | | the muscle mass involved in an exercise, the |
| Calories burned in 60 minutes by a 150 lbs. | | | | more effective that exercise is for improving |
| user: | | | | fat mobilization, burning calories and |
| | | | building muscle endurance in an efficient |
| Walking, 2 mph - 189 | | | | period of time. |
| | | | |
| Walking, 3 mph - 297 | | | | This would suggest that an elliptical trainer |
| | | | would burn more calories, but there is no |
| Jogging - 477 | | | | denying that running also efficiently burns |
| | | | calories. |
| Running, 7 mph - 783 | | | | |
| | | | So which machine should you purchase? |
| Elliptical Trainer - 774 | | | | |
| | | | If your joints are suffering from strain or |
| There was a basic flaw to the results, since | | | | just old age, and if you would like to |
| it allowed you to compare calories burned at | | | | exercise your upper body, the elliptical |
| different levels of exertion on the | | | | trainer is a good choice. For walkers, |
| treadmill, but not on the elliptical trainer. | | | | joggers or runners you can't go wrong with a |
| Often I see people working out on an | | | | treadmill. |
| elliptical at health clubs, and they are | | | | |
| basically going through the motions. The | | | | In either case, to burn calories you need to |
| calories they burn are no more than what you | | | | exert yourself. Both machines offer a variety |
| would achieve from a casual walk. | | | | of challenging program. Most now come |
| | | | equipped with an "Interval Training" program. |
| So which machine is better at burning | | | | You alternate between high-level exertion and |
| calories? | | | | cool down periods. This type of training |
| | | | burns calories more efficiently in less time. |
| It depends on which machine will motivate you | | | | With proper supervision from your doctor, try |
| the most and push you to the highest level of | | | | to push yourself to new limits. |
| exertion. | | | | |
| | | | I'm sorry I did not offer a definitive |
| If you are a devoted walker or runner then | | | | answer. It really is up to you to find the |
| the treadmill is an obvious choice. The | | | | machine that best suites your needs, and will |
| treadmill offers you a more forgiving surface | | | | help you achieve your personal best. |
| in comparison to asphalt or concrete. It | | | | |