Friday, March 30, 2012

Numerous Hints About The Benefits Of Choosing Treadmill Vs Elyptical

By Jim Casey


There are many different cardio workout machines in the market today, with the main question being of treadmill vs elyptical. All of the different options are found in gyms or are available for purchase for workout at home. Many people often wonder whether they workout time would be better spent using one machine over another, with the two most common piece of cardio workout equipment in question being these two major favorites.

Treadmills are among the oldest types of machines, with earliest ones seen hundreds of years ago. The first, unmotorized treadmills were not used for exercise but rather were used for harnessing the power of animals or as a means of punishment in some prisons. The treadmill as we know it today, as a piece of exercise equipment, was introduced in the 1960s and has gone on to become one of the most used exercise machines.

The treadmills of today are actually very advanced and feature many programs and modes, some of the most advanced models carry more processing power than was available when mankind landed a man on the moon. Many models offer incline and speed selections as well as programmable workout routines. Treadmills are great for both walking and running and are the choice of many who either can't or do not want to exercise outdoors, it provides the convenience of training and getting into great shape in the comfort and safety of your own home.

While treadmills have can great cardio benefits, there are some disadvantages that have been noted. If not used properly, injuries can occur and are often quite bad as the person can be thrown off the back of the machine. Other than injuries, disadvantages include the relatively high cost to purchase and for maintenance, the amount of space they require, and the fact that many users become bored after awhile.

The second common type of cardio machine is the elliptical. These machines were first introduced in the 1990s and have become a very popular and loved cardio workout machine. Some users prefer elliptical machines over treadmills because they are less harsh on the joints of the body. Their intensity levels can be adjusted, which is also a benefit.

In addition to their low impact nature, there are other distinct advantages of an elliptical. One of the biggest is the cost, as many elliptical machines cost far less than some models of treadmills. Additionally, elliptical machines take up less space than the opposite option, which for some home users is a huge advantage.

These machines do, however, have their own set of disadvantages, with the most notable being that they burn less fat than a treadmill routine in the same time. This is a big downfall for those looking to maximize their workout time. Other disadvantages include lack of much of an upper body workout, sometime foot numbness and inability to accommodate heavier and larger people.

Both pieces of equipment have their strengths and weaknesses, so you will have a difficult time when comparing treadmill vs elyptical. Often people just prefer one over another for personal reasons. If used both regularly and correctly, both have the potential to offer great fitness and health benefits for their users.


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