What Is the Difference Between Ellipticals and Treadmills?

Elliptical machines and treadmills are both popular cardio machines that can help you achieve your fitness goals, but they are quite different. Elliptical trainers feature separate platforms for each foot, levers for your hands, and are not necessarily motorized. Elliptical training provides a low-impact workout that gets your whole body moving. Treadmills feature a motorized belt that provides a surface for running, a high-impact workout that mostly works the lower body, but can be a great way to elevate your heart rate. An elliptical machine, also known as an elliptical trainer or cross-trainer, is a type of exercise machine used to simulate workouts such as stair-climbing, running, or walking. The elliptical offers a low-impact workout to the lower body, like hamstrings and glutes, while also working the upper body, like the arms and upper back. Ellipticals are generally self-powered, meaning they don’t require electricity to use, although some ellipticals are powered to provide resistance. Using an elliptical offers many advantages for traditional cardio workouts like running or stair-climbing. - __Low-impact__: Doing cardiovascular workouts on an elliptical can provide a lower-impact alternative to running on pavement. The elliptical motion allows you to run or walk without the high impact of hitting your feet on a surface, which can help prevent joint pain and reduce the risk of injury. - __Full-body workout__: Elliptical machines typically provide handles or levers for your hands, so that you can work your leg muscles and your upper body muscles at the same time. - __Effective cardio training__: The elliptical offers a great cardio workout that can range from mild intensity to high intensity, based on personal preference. The elliptical might not be effective for every type of training program, and it can be helpful to consult with a personal trainer before using one. - __Not effective strength training__: While the elliptical offers a great aerobic workout that can burn calories and increase your heart rate, it won’t be as effective as weight training when it comes to building muscle strength. - __Not a natural movement__: The movement pattern of the elliptical is not easily replicated without the exercise equipment. While it still provides good exercise, it may work different muscles that you won’t use in your daily life. - __Easy to underperform__: The wide range of motion provided by the elliptical can trick your body into thinking you’re doing a high-intensity workout when you haven’t actually elevated your heart rate enough to see major heart health benefits. A treadmill is a type of exercise equipment specifically designed for walking or running. It features a belt that cycles continuously, allowing the user to run in place. Many treadmills can also be raised or lowered to provide an incline for running, and the pace can be controlled by the user. They are often used for home gyms to do [high intensity interval training (HIIT)](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hiit-workout-guide) or sprinting workout routines. Some athletes prefer treadmill workouts to running outdoors. Here are some of the [benefits](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/benefits-of-jogging-explained). - __Control over the workout__: Treadmills are powered by a belt, the pace of which you can control from a screen. This level of control can be helpful if you want to reach specific goals like burning a certain number of calories or running a particular distance, time, or speed. Treadmill running also allows you to warm up slowly and then gradually increase intensity. - __Easy to navigate__: Treadmills offer an easy running experience without the obstacles you might encounter while running outside. Some machines will even remember your preferences. - __Increases heart rate__: Treadmill running is a fantastic way to consistently raise your heart rate for a short period of time, which may have health benefits. While there are many reasons a treadmill might be a good alternative to running on pavement, there are a few points to consider if you’re thinking about making a treadmill workout part of your fitness routine. - __High impact__: While many treadmills are cushioned to dampen the impact of your footfalls, running on a flat surface will still have a jarring effect on your limbs and joints. - __Limited workout options__: Treadmills are useful for running, and not much else. You won’t be working many other muscle groups beyond your lower body, so your fitness routine may be somewhat limited. - __Costly__: Treadmills can be expensive and take up a lot of space in your home. If you love treadmill workouts, becoming a member of a gym with a treadmill may be a good alternative to purchasing your own treadmill. If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort. In order to see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for twenty-four to forty-eight hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery. Throw on some athleisure, fire up a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com), and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and *GQ* fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time. When choosing between an elliptical and a treadmill, it’s important to consider your personal fitness goals. Elliptical trainers provide a lower-impact workout, while treadmills may be a better option for serious runners.