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In the fitness industry, the debate revolving around the treadmill vs elliptical continues and for good reasons, too. On one hand, ellipticals and treadmills are essentially cardiovascular fitness equipment designed to promote exercise movements with the expected benefits being improved levels of endurance, increased metabolic rate and better overall health particularly where the heart and lungs are concerned. On the other hand, treadmills have definite advantages over elliptical trainers and vice versa. We will offer you our viewpoint in this debate.

Both treadmills and elliptical trainers provide for low-impact exercises since the motions involved are similar to the natural movements while walking and running. A lot of people prefer the elliptical machines because there is very little to no impact with the foot pedal. You will observe that most people with joint problems in the lower back, knees and ankles go on to the elliptical trainer more than on the treadmill.

This is possible because your feet do not leave the pedals during the entire workout session. Compare that with running or walking on a treadmill when the feet are constantly hitting the tough surface. So, in the debate of treadmill vs elliptical, the latter wins in the low to no impact category.

One advantage to treadmills is the better training opportunities for the fitness enthusiasts who prefer running as a form of exercise or who engage in running for competitive purposes. It definitely beats enduring the inclement weather when you have to train for a marathon.

Since the treadmill can only provide for running exercises with a few degrees of incline and decline, there is little variety in the workouts. For both average fitness enthusiasts and fanatics, the variety in workouts helps in two ways. You will be able to ward off boredom from the repetitive movements and you can challenge your body in new ways. In this case, the elliptical trainers win the bout, so to speak.

Also, treadmills can only provide for lower body workouts since the movements are concentrated on the hips down to the legs. In contrast, ellipticals provide for both upper and lower body workouts, thanks to the movements required of the feet on the pedals and the hands on the handlebars. Still, if it is only lower body workouts that you are after, then a treadmill should suffice.

The final decision would depend on what YOU want from your workouts and your overall health/fitness goals. Read the features and benefits of the fitness equipment before making your final decision.