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Post by twoboyzmom on Apr 22, 2016 14:58:48 GMT
If you are looking to lose 5-10 lbs gain some strength and tone up, would you choose and elliptical or treadmill??
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Post by bigbundt on Apr 22, 2016 15:01:48 GMT
I had a trainer tell me, you are either a elliptical person or a treadmill person. Try out both for a few workouts and pick the one you like better because you are more likely to use it. I am a treadmill person.
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Post by AN on Apr 22, 2016 15:02:43 GMT
I personally like and have a treadmill.
That said, for losing 5 - 10 lbs, I'd recommend watching diet really closely (not saying you aren't, I just think that's going to have 80% of the impact, regardless of which device you pick) and for strength and toning, I'd be more likely to do strength training, either using body weight or light dumbbells.
Good treadmills or elliptical are pretty expensive and take up a lot of room, if you're thinking of buying one vs using at a gym (which is what I'm assuming, since it is one or the other). Specific to the results you want, I honestly think you might get better bang for your buck using a food journal like My Fitness Pal and then using the money on some resistance training tools (some dumbells and bands and maybe a workout mat) and either some videos or some sessions with a personal trainer.
But to your original question - I like treadmill, and I think they will have equal impact on your fitness level. Whichever one you'll use is the one to get.
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Post by twoboyzmom on Apr 22, 2016 15:03:10 GMT
True. I can't really run anymore because of my back which is why I hesitate on getting a treadmill. An elliptical would give an all over workout more I would think?
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 22, 2016 15:09:35 GMT
I went through this decision a few months ago and decided on a small, cheap elliptical. It's great! It gives me a good work out, is quiet, and combining it with diet I'm down 21 pounds.  I'm really glad I listened to the peas and didn't buy a treadmill. |
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Post by twoboyzmom on Apr 22, 2016 15:12:07 GMT
It is for me to purchase, I have found one of each close by at a decent price so trying to decide. The elliptical is a more compact size which is great.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by trollie on Apr 22, 2016 15:13:44 GMT
Elliptical is much, much better for your joints.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 22, 2016 15:21:44 GMT
I think I agree with the 'treadmill person or elliptical person' comment... I hate the elliptical with a passion, but have no problem being on a treadmill for miles / an hour, whatever.
I don't use the treadmill to run, though-- I've tried the Couch to 5K thing multiple times and finally decided that running just isn't for me. I use the treadmill for walking and do a 'random' workout that gives me random hills and changes in elevations. A treadmill doesn't have to be used for running.
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Post by auntkelly on Apr 22, 2016 15:30:30 GMT
I would go to a gym and try out both machines several times before you make a decision. I agree that you will probably like one and hate the other, or you might find a completely different piece of equipment that you love (maybe a stationary bike),
I have a really good treadmill and I use it almost every day. It's relaxing and I look forward to my time on the treadmill. I hate the elliptical. My best friend uses her elliptical almost every day and loves it. She hates the treadmill. I think different people like different exercise machines.
My husband and brother decided to buy their sister an expensive elliptical machine one Christmas. I kept saying that I was all for buying her exercise equipment, but she should go to the gym and try out the machines first and decide which machine she enjoyed most. The sister insisted, however, that she didn't need to try the machines out, she knew she wanted an elliptical and she promised she would use it every day.
True to her word, she uses the elliptical every day as a place to hang laundry.
Good luck to you on finding the machine you really enjoy!
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Post by twoboyzmom on Apr 22, 2016 15:34:09 GMT
I had a bike and sold it, hated it. I have used both machines in the past...
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Apr 22, 2016 15:37:05 GMT
None of the above.
Endurance, yes. Strength and toning, not so much.
Even for pure cardio, I don't care for either. I would have said treadmill over elliptical. I just never really got into the elliptical, so I would say I am a treadmill person. But, I've started getting shin splints with the inclines so now I use a glider. Similar to the elliptical, but less elliptical and I seem to be getting a better work out. I go to OrangeTheory Fitness and the treadmill is always part of the work out but you can opt out and use the bike or glider instead. I am definitely working harder on the glider.
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Post by Lindarina on Apr 22, 2016 16:28:52 GMT
I hated the Elliptical and love running, so I would chose a treadmill. But they can be expensive if you want a useful one.
Another alternative is to invest in a beachbody program.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 22, 2016 16:34:34 GMT
Spend $5 and go to a rec centre or gym and try both out to see which you like. That is by far the easiest way to decide. I will tell you the treadmill is my thing and yet I see people KILLING the elliptical at the gym. I can't get the pedals to work but they are working it and honestly they are tough. My former coworker has terrible rheumatoid arthritis. I mean it's baaaad and she has no problem using the elliptical. It puts no strain on her painful joints. I don't use it because I have muscle weakness in my upper thighs and can't make myself move the pedals.
Either machine is good for you if you USE it. I like the treadmill myself. My GP wants me to use the recumbent bike right now as I am having a lot of back pain. Honestly either is just fine. You just have to do it regularly.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 22, 2016 17:05:52 GMT
I think it varies by person as well. In the past, when I went to the gym I would use the elliptical for about 10-15 minutes (I have never had very much endurance on an elliptical for some reason) but walk on the treadmill for a long time. At one time we had a really nice treadmill but sold it because it wasn't getting used. Now I have a really old, cheap treadmill that barely works. I hadn't used it much since my feet and shins had been bothering me, so we got an elliptical for Christmas. I have now been using the crappy treadmill (and doing bikini body mommy workouts for strength) and not the elliptical. Ugh. Part of that is because of where each is located but part is because the elliptical is a really hard workout for me. I need to start using it more, though.
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Post by katlady on Apr 22, 2016 17:08:07 GMT
Between the two, I prefer the elliptical. My actual cardio machine of choice is the rower!
If you want to gain strength or tone up, you should be also doing some weight bearing exercises. Cardio alone does not build up overall strength.
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likescarrots
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Post by likescarrots on Apr 22, 2016 17:09:32 GMT
I prefer elliptical, but it is really a matter of preference. You should try some of the beginner fitness blender videos to strength train and tone (and even to lose weight!). They are free, and Kelly and Daniel are great, and have a huge following. They have videos from 5 min long to over an hour, all different types. |
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Anita
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Post by Anita on Apr 22, 2016 17:10:04 GMT
I wish you lived near me, I have an elliptical machine I am giving away for free. I'm 99% confident that it was the cause of my foot problems. I am definitely a treadmill girl, although I really prefer walking outdoors.
But yeah, neither will give you strength.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Apr 22, 2016 17:42:22 GMT
True. I can't really run anymore because of my back which is why I hesitate on getting a treadmill. An elliptical would give an all over workout more I would think? If you have back issues I would test an elliptical before purchasing one. I can't use one because it hurts my back and neither can another of my friends because it also hurts her back. She broke her back many years ago and I just have scoliosis, so two different back issues, but neither of us can use an elliptical. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 6:51:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 18:31:58 GMT
I had a trainer tell me, you are either a elliptical person or a treadmill person. Try out both for a few workouts and pick the one you like better because you are more likely to use it. I am a treadmill person. I totally agree with this!
I had a treadmill for year, it died and thought I would try an elliptical. I hated it! I felt awkward on it, it made my toes numb after 10 min of use...everything about it I hated.
It sat in our living room for a year before I admitted to my husband how much I wanted a treadmill again. We sold the elliptical and bought a treadmill and I'm so happy with our new one. I have lost 33 lbs (since January) running/walking on the treadmill.
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 22, 2016 19:04:52 GMT
Make sure you try a treadmill for more than 5 minutes. DH can't use the treadmill because it makes him dizzy (for days after he uses it).
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Post by pierkiss on Apr 22, 2016 19:58:12 GMT
We had an elliptical. I bought it thinking it would be the greatest thing ever and that is love using it. Well I hated it. And I mean hated it. I love the treadmill at the gym though. A So it sat in the basement mostly unused for the past 7 years. Hubs started using it in the past year and liked it ok, but preferred the treadmill at the gym. And then it broke.  . If I could do it again if get a treadmill. |
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Post by Tamhugh on Apr 22, 2016 20:01:49 GMT
I love the treadmill and I could stay on it for long periods of time. DH hates it because it hurts his knees. He can do the elliptical for hours. I hate the elliptical because it kills my hips. Seriously, after about 5 minutes, I feel like I am going to scream from the hip pain. I think it is just that the motion doesn't work for me.
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Post by STBC on Apr 22, 2016 20:34:17 GMT
If you are looking to lose 5-10 lbs gain some strength and tone up, would you choose and elliptical or treadmill?? If you're looking for weight loss, strength building and toning, neither choice on their own will give you the results you are hoping for. Proper nutrition + strength training will be more effective. Having said that, I would select the treadmill (I'm a runner). I've used the elliptical in the past but it's never been my preference, even before I started running. (I only started running last year, using a program very similar to C25K.) I had a bike and sold it, hated it. Several years ago, my DH bought me a bike, after years of not riding. (As a kid, I rode my bike nearly every day, weather permitting.) Anyway, I hated riding the bike. It was so uncomfortable. I thought it was because I was out of shape. Got a larger seat, still hated riding. Earlier this year, I decided to train for my first triathlon. Took the bike to the bike shop for an indoor trainer ride - for a small fee, we could rent a bicycle trainer so we could do an indoor workout. Found out my bike was sized too small for my height. Continued to do the trainer rides; bike didn't feel as bad as it did before and I figured it was because I was in better shape than back then. On the first warm day, I took my bike outdoors for a ride. Hated it. It was so uncomfortable I could not ride for very long, which was going to be a problem because I am signed up for a 13+ mile ride in the tri! Went back to the bike shop and was properly fitted for a bicycle. I got to take it for a test ride and what a difference - it was so much more comfortable! While I've only had the bike a week, I now love riding outside and I know that during the winter, I'll be able to use the trainer to ride inside. Also, while I don't know what your back issue is, I do know several people in my running group who have back problems but run/walk to the best of their ability. Hope this helps and you find something that works for you! |
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I'm really glad I listened to the peas and didn't buy a treadmill.
. If I could do it again if get a treadmill. 
