Treadmill Vs Elliptical: Which Is Best For Cardio?

What Is A Treadmill?

A treadmill is a machine that lets you walk or run on a moving conveyor belt, a real bonus when it’s too hot outside or raining. Treadmill settings can also be adjusted to include an incline ‒ simulating a hill ‒ to make your workout more challenging.

How Does A Treadmill Work?

Treadmills are powered by a motor or flywheel. Flywheels move the conveyor belt at a speed you set by walking or running, while motorised treadmills can be set at a particular speed using a control panel. The beauty of a treadmill? Its versatility - you get to tailor the program to what you prefer, whether that’s a gentle walk or a 4km run, as well as your preferred speed and incline.

Treadmill Pros

• Can be set up inside or outside under cover to keep you out of wet or hot weather conditions

• Adjustable speeds to suit your fitness needs and goals

• All aspects of your workout can be controlled with settings, including speed and incline

• The smooth, cushioned belt means there is less risk of tripping or falling compared to uneven conditions outside

• The difficulty level is always the same

• Some feature heart-rate sensors so you can monitor your health, while others have TV screens to keep you entertained

What Are The Best Treadmills?

Treadmills come with a range of features and settings so you always get the best out of your workout. Settings to look out for include speed, so you can go as fast or slow as you like, and incline - you’ll want to crank that up to really feel the burn. Other features such as heart rate, distance, calories burned and RPM (revolutions per minute), also displayed on LED screens,  will help you track how your workout’s going. Get the lot with the BH Fitness RunLab Treadmill.

If you’re looking for even more bells and whistles? The BH Fitness BH NYDO Treadmill lets you listen to music or watch TV while you work out, and even has a fan to keep you cool.

What Is An Elliptical Machine?

An elliptical machine works both your upper and lower body, providing you with a full body workout. It's a stationary machine that can be used to walk, run or climb without putting pressure on your knee, hip and ankle joints, decreasing your risk of injury or aggravating an old one.

What’s The Difference Between An Elliptical Machine And A Cross Trainer?

They’re actually the same thing. A cross trainer is simply one of three types of elliptical, the others being the elliptical glider and trainer. The cross trainer stands apart from the others because of its moving handlebars, which add upper-body training to the workout.

How Does An Elliptical Machine Work?

Exercising on an elliptical trainer is a bit like combining stair climbing with skiing. So no wonder it gets results! You use the pedals to move your legs back and forth, and the movable handles to move your arms at the same time. The great thing about cross trainers is you can swap to holding the fixed handles and only work your legs.

Elliptical Pros

• Burns a lot of calories

• Easy on your joints

• Features a variety of workout options, such as hill climbing and interval training for increased endurance

• Use upper and lower body muscles for a full body workout

• Great way to maintain fitness while recovering from injury

• Can be used inside, out of the elements, to get your workout in even if it’s hot or raining

What Are The Best Ellipticals?

The best models have adjustable pedals, so you can customise the stride length, and pre-set programs for your choice of workouts, as well as monitors for heart rate, calories burned, distance and RPM. You can tick all those boxes with the BH Fitness Crystal 2.0 Program Elliptical or  BH Fitness NLS 12 Program Elliptical.

Treadmill Or Elliptical: Which Is Best For You?

If you’re looking for gym equipment that will burn a lot of calories while improving your aerobic fitness, then the elliptical is probably your best bet.

If your goal is to improve your pace and stamina for sport, then the treadmill is best for conditioning the body. It will allow you to work the same muscles and become accustomed to the same level of impact as the playing field or the running track.

The other consideration is your joints. If you’re recovering from injury or easing into exercise, then the elliptical will be your best friend. An elliptical is considered impact-free because of its smooth, continuous, gliding motion, which takes stress off the hips, ankles and knees.

What Other Fitness Equipment Should I Consider?

Complementing your treadmill or elliptical with a rowing machine will ensure you get even more out of your home gym workouts. Rowing machines like the BH Fitness S 1 RW Program Rower offer a total body workout, are low impact if you need to stay off your legs and will help you build endurance. And, bonus, they are great for people of all fitness levels.

Are you ready to recharge your health and fitness regime? Then jump online to check out our big range of gym equipment, including treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines and exercise bikes, and start levelling up today.