Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Pros and Cons of Each

Have you ever contemplated whether or not treadmills or ellipticals offer the better workout for your body? read on to learn the pros and cons of ellipticals and treadmills and which one best fits with your exercise needs.

Working out is hard work for your body all on its own. However, all the controversies over what is good and bad for your body tend to feel never ending at times. While treadmills are still considered the most popular fitness machine, ellipticals are not far behind and can provide your body with very similar benefits. Grab your athletic shoes and check out the difference between the two, along with the advantages and disadvantages.

The Pros and Cons of the Popular Treadmill

Treadmills…one of the most convenient ways to take your workout indoors on stormy days or roll out of bed and immediately get rolling first thing in the morning. If you enjoy walking, running, or jogging, treadmills are perfect for meeting your needs when you do not have a chance to head outdoors. While many people believe that treadmills are hard on your joints, others believe it is one of the most convenient ways to get a good workout. Here are some interesting pros and cons of using a treadmill.

The Pros

• Very convenient, especially on stormy days
• Folds up for easy storage
• Smooth terrain free of rocks, holes, etc.
• The surface is easier on your joints than asphalt or concrete
• A fantastic calorie torcher
• Most treadmills are built with an incline you can adjust to your level of capability
• A wide variety of different programs to use based on your level of capability
• Perfect time to watch a good tv show, listen to music or read a book while you workout
• Treadmills provide excellent cardio for your workout routine

The Cons

• Unless you have a gym membership, good quality treadmills are costly to own
• Treadmills require power to work, which is a disadvantage as opposed to running outdoors
• Rumor has it that you may not get as good of a workout as you would outdoors since you are more confined
• Treadmills tend to cramp your space, causing you to compensate, running with a shorter stride
• Because of the speed of the belt, you are at higher risk for falls if you are not paying attention
• Depending on your pace, treadmills can be hard on your joints if you are not careful

Despite some of the disadvantages, treadmills provide an amazing cardio workout to help meet your fitness goals while offering the advantage of enjoying many great health benefits down the road.

The Pros and Cons of the Elliptical

While the treadmill may be the most popular fitness machine known, ellipticals are not far behind for a stellar workout. While the elliptical is becoming more and more popular, there are some advantages and disadvantages to using an elliptical. If you are unsure if the elliptical is right for you, check out these pros and cons.

The Pros

• As opposed to using the treadmill, you are not pounding your feet with each step you take, which in return, is much easier on your joints, especially your knees
• The platforms where your feet lay are smooth, free of debris such as rocks, holes, or other rough terrain you would run into outdoors
• You have the advantage of controlling your pace as you go simply by moving your legs faster or slower
• Adjusting the upper tension also provides an excellent workout for your upper body
• You have the advantage of enjoying TV as you workout
• Come rain or shine, daylight or night skies, the elliptical is always available
• It is a great calorie burner

The Cons

• Because of the lighter impact on your joints, many people feel there are not as many workout advantages since it is almost too easy to use
• If you are used to walking or running, the elliptical tends to make you feel like you have less control over your body
• Because you have control of how fast or slow you go, the elliptical does not push you to work as hard as a treadmill would
• Because ellipticals are more of a “one size fits all,” you put yourself at higher risk for hyperextending your knees
• Like the treadmill, ellipticals are very expensive to own and also require power to run Because of the repetitive motion, cutting your workout short tends to be much more tempting

While treadmills provide a great cardio workout, ellipticals are great for working the entire body out.

Finding The Right Fitness Shoes

While a good workout comes with many excellent benefits, exercises also tend to be very hard on the body, particularly your feet. Because of the impact that goes directly into the feet, finding the right fitness shoes to meet your fitness needs is an absolute MUST!

Your feet provide the foundation for your entire body, and when they are tired, achy, or suffering from problems, it can affect your whole body. Because of this, KURU has pioneered extraordinary technology that provides your feet with just what they need to prevent problems and keep you feeling amazing throughout your workout.

With remarkable KURUSOLE technology, your feet are well protected with the best shock absorption possible and much needed arch-support, providing your feet with stellar alignment to keep your gait and joints exactly where they belong as you painlessly work hard to meet your fitness goals.

If you love your body, treat it with the utmost respect by providing what it needs to help you function properly. It will help to improve the many health benefits that come from living a healthy lifestyle, and provide you with a much-improved quality of life.

About Us

At KURU, we're on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 36,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them get back to doing what they love.

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