Identification

• Treadmill featured on treadmilladvisor.com
  
  A treadmill, such as the one pictured here, is a large piece of equipment that contains a platform you walk on, hand rails to hold onto and a console, which is where you set the speed and other settings. An elliptical machine, such as the one pictured at the top of the article, has two foot pedals that move in a circular direction, hand rails and a console. The main difference between the two machines is the leg motion that is used. On a treadmill you walk or run just as if you were on the street. An elliptical machine moves your body through a unique and low-impact range of motion that you cannot duplicate elsewhere.
  
  

Considerations

• When deciding between an elliptical or treadmill, it is important to consider the health of your joints, especially your hips and knees and any foot problems you may have. Because of its more circular motion, the elliptical machine may place too much stress on the back, hips and knees, as it requires a constant bending motion of the knees. It is important to note that elliptical machines have a much safer motion than the old stair-stepper machines. However, ellipticals can still place more stress on the joints than a treadmill. On the plus side, because you are moving in a more circular motion, using an elliptical machine will work and tone your buttocks and thigh muscles more than just walking or running on a treadmill. In addition, the speed of the elliptical is determined by how fast and hard you push on the pedals. You power the machine, which works your leg muscles harder than an electrically powered treadmill, in which the belt moves at a set speed regardless of how fast you are moving.
  
  

Effects

• While treadmills may place less strain on the hips and knees, they can create other problems. It is harder to maintain your balance on a treadmill than on an elliptical. On a treadmill the belt is in continuous motion underneath you, and you must work to keep up with it. If you become tired or have difficulty with balance you may have trouble keeping up with the device. Treadmill speeds can get quite fast, and you can trip and fall. However, a quality treadmill will have a safety key with which you can automatically shut the treadmill if you start to struggle. Another concern is for those living with foot pain. Walking or running on a treadmill means constant impact on the feet, which can be painful for some. In contrast, on an elliptical machine your flat foot stays in contact with the pedals at all times. This means that there is less pounding and impact on the feet, and you are not likely to fall because you are not actually stepping.
  
  

Features

• If you are considering purchasing one of these machines for home use there are additional considerations. If space is a concern, it is good to know that some treadmills come with a space saver design so they can fold up. In addition, many of these models have wheels on the front, so after you fold them, you can wheel them out of the way. Ellipticals do not fold. While many elliptical models also have wheels in the front, they are not as easy to move, because you must pick up the machine from the back and push it as a unit, unlike the folded and more compact treadmill. If you purchase an elliptical, it is best to have a permanent designated space for it.
  Both types of equipment have models with handlebars that are stationary and other models where the handles move. They both come with options of using them flat or raising the walking surface on an incline to simulate going uphill. They both can come with either simple or complicated consoles and controls. In terms of workout intensity, they are a fairly even match. If you like the fact that the elliptical targets the hips and thighs more but you like the idea of a treadmill, try walking backward on the treadmill, both flat and while on an incline, which will have the same effect.
  
  

Benefits

• Both machines will provide you with many of the same benefits. They can give you a solid aerobic or cardiovascular workout, which is important when trying to lose weight, manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels and prevent chronic disease. Regular aerobic exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and should be done for 30 to 40 minutes at least five days a week. Having a machine such as a treadmill or elliptical will allow you to workout indoors when the weather is bad. In addition, because both of these machines require you to stand, they provide weight-bearing exercise and are an excellent choice for those with or at risk of osteoporosis.
  If you are concerned about the effect of using these machines because illness or injury, talk with your doctor or physical therapist, who can make a recommendation based on your situation and goals. Try the machines at the store to see which one feels better to you.