Elliptical VS. Treadmill: Which Machine Gives a Better Workout?

The benefits of cardio training are well known. Cardio, which literally means "heart" (Marriam-Webster Online), is another way of referring to aerobic exercise Aerobic means "involving, utilizing, or increasing oxygen consumption for metabolic processes in the body." Id. I could continue with defining this type of exercise, but suffice it to say that cardio is an imperative tool in your health and/or weight-loss arsenal.

Speaking as a layman, it is easy to understand that benefits that cardio exercise may bring. Increased lung capacity, weight loss, a healthy heart, muscle endurance to name a few...cardio is extremely important to overall fitness. Anaeobic exercise, like muscle training, is also extremely important to physical fitness and weight loss.

When faced with the endless machines available at the gym, an immediate consideration is which machine will give the greatest benefit? There are many articles out there that discuss the science behind the comparisons, but I am intending only to give my humble opinion which was created by years of gym experience.

Please don't misunderstand me, I may have years of gym experience, but I don't really have anything to show for it. I am still working on losing weight, but through my years of yo-yo dieting I have amassed a wide knowledge base. I just unfortunately ignore it sometimes J

More to the point, which machine gives the better workout, the elliptical or the treadmill? Because I don't like suspense I will tell you my conclusion now: the treadmill. Now for my reasons:

Elliptical Pros: Very little stress on your knees or joints; engages upper and lower body; provides an intense cardio experience since the movements mimic running without the harsh impact on your body; easy to use

Treadmill pros: Can go as slow or as fast (to a point) as you want; everyone knows how to walk; provides an excellent weight-bearing exercise which is good for both your bones and your heart

That last reason is why the treadmill is a better machine, if one is a healthy individual with minimal joint problems. The treadmill is a weight-bearing exercise, hence it is good for your bones. This is especially beneficial for women who can potentially develop osteoporosis as they age. While the benefit of the elliptical is that it doesn't put the stress on your body that running does, the benefit of the treadmill is it puts stress on your body so that you can help promote strong bones.

Further, in my completely unscientific opinion, walking/jogging/running takes more effort than the elliptical. I like to mix them up however, and do the elliptical one day, and the treadmill the next. Cross-training is a great way to avoid repetition injury and to also keep your body guessing at to what you are going to do next.

In conclusion, while you are doing your body good to get on either machine, if I could only exercise on one or the other, the treadmill would win every time. Good luck, and stay healthy!