Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I'm curious for those who workout throught the week, do you prefer the eliptical or treadmill when running/cardio?

I have a pear shaped body and my butt/legs need to be toned. I prefer the eliptical mostly because I have no coordination and I trip when running on the treadmill but also because I find that my lower body gets more toned when I use the eliptical. My BF ONLY uses the treadmill. He hates elipticals. Sometimes I wonder if the eliptical is easier because its not a true "run"?

Thoughts?

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I find the treadmill a lot harder than the elliptical. Plus for toning the lower body I like walking the treadmill at a steep incline for 30 mins on the days I don't run. I've only been doing this a few weeks and I already see a difference. In terms of cardio, I get out of breath on the treadmill, but never have on the elliptical.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I mix it up. I prefer the treadmill and feel like I get a better workout. However, when my knee hurts its good to do the elliptical

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the elliptical, but the ones in the gym are geared towards a 6 foot man and not a 5 foot female. I feel like I get a much better workout on the treadmill. I sweat the most on the treadmill. I walk fast on an incline with bursts of running. I usually walk at 3.5 or 3.8 speed with some sort of incline and then every 5 minutes I'll run for one or two minutes at 4.5-5.5 speed and then go back down to walking. I only get to the gym 2X a week, if that, and I can only last for 30-40 minutes right now. But I think I would see a huge difference if I did it everyday.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I much prefer the elliptical...I do enjoy working out outdoors, weather-permitting, so I'd rather jog/run outside than use a treadmill.

I also feel like I get a much better workout on the elliptical. I usually use the treadmill to cool down at the end of a workout.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the elliptical and use it 3x's a week but I am going to start using the treadmill just to change it up for a bit. I am getting bored with weights and elliptical every week.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the treadmill for running and cardio. Somehow I burn more calories on the elliptical but barely break a sweat and never feel out of breath. It just doesn't feel like a good workout.

I only use the elliptical when I'm training for backpacking or mountain climbing, because I like that you can target different lower body muscle groups.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

elliptical has always given me the better workout!

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Treadmill is much more versatile. You can run or walk, do flats or hills. I had both and recently sold my elliptical---we never really used it.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Elliptical. It's actually less work and you burn more calories in less time. I do go on the treadmill sometimes, but prefer the elliptical.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Treadmill - the elliptical does absolutely nothing for me....

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the eliptical. I usually do some type of crosstraining program. The treadmill is tough on my knees so I rarely use it for cardio.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I find I get a much better workout on the treadmill but it is very hard on my knees. I usually do half my cardio on the treadmill and the other half on the elliptical. If I run first, my heartrate is up and I find I get a better elliptical workout than if I started there.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the elliptical, because I'm lucky enough to live in a place where I can run outdoors pretty much year round. I hate being on the treadmill and staring at the wall when I could be out in the fresh air.

The elliptical is only easier than the treadmill if you don't push yourself. If you up the resistance level and make it challenging, or do intervals, it won't be "easy" cardio!

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Am I the only one who thinks the elliptical is so hard??

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

i like both equally, but i feel like i get a better work out and work up such a sweat when im running on the treadmill. plus it helps me work on my endurance. but i like the elliptical because i burn way more calories in a shorter amount of time.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

try the bike or a spin class!!!! i started working out in mid january and im already down 28 lbs. and two pants sizes. I started off running but switched to the bike after an injury. My legs are getting very toned and my butts looking pretty good lol. I burn about 800-1000 calories in an hour.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I hate the treadmill. We bought an ellipitical and love it.

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

i like running so i prefer the treadmill but if i need to cross train and i'm not spinning, i'll hop on the elliptical but i usually only do like 20 or so mins on it

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I read an article recently about the calories burned on the elliptical are very off..meaning they are not correct most of the time. makes total sense because there are days i do 1/2 hour on the elliptical and it'll say over 500 calories burned...but a 1/2 hour run at a 7 pace burns 420? I KNOW that the run gives me a better workout and a harder workout...

However i do like the elliptical. Its a good choice when my knees or shins are bothering me from running. You have to make yourself really work though..put up the resistance as opposed to having very little resistance. Makes a huge difference in results you'll get...

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I prefer the elliptical. When it comes to running I'd rather go outside.

However, I have a treadmill in my basement that I rarely use (but it's also old and I don't trust it 100%!)

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

I hate the elliptical now I feel like I barely get a workout. I am a runner though so maybe that's why. However I do love the arc trainer!

Re: Which do you prefer - treadmill or eliptical?

When I first started working out years I ago I loved the elliptical and it was all I did. But I never really noticed a difference besides keeping my weight down. A few years ago I switched over to the treadmill and thats when I really began seeing results. My wasteline shrank and I really began toning up in my legs. So from this I think the treadmill or even just running outside is the way to go. I also agree with one of the girls who posted previously that the elliptical calorie counter is so off!