A question I tend to hear on a regular basis is; which equipment is better for weight loss a treadmill or an elliptical? Therefore I thought to myself why not use this as an article topic and go into much greater detail as to which machine is best.
To start off, if your goal is to improve your cardiovascular endurance, research shows that both machines will result in the same physiological benefits. Both machines are great for weight loss however the elliptical has a greater impact on your leg muscles. The elliptical improves muscular strength in the quadriceps and calf muscles. The reason the elliptical has these benefits over the treadmill is because you are required to use the force of your muscles to move the pedals. With that being said as you develop more muscle throughout your body your basil metabolic rate increases. Basil metabolic rate is the rate at which you burn calories throughout the day therefore the elliptical would be your choice of machinery for weight loss. On the other hand variety is the most important factor in preventing a plateau so interchanging between both machines is completely acceptable.
A very important fact I would like to point out about the elliptical is directed towards joint safety. If you have had any knee, ankle or hip injuries the elliptical should be your main machine of choice. When you use this machine your feet do not enter a flight stage, meaning they stay on the pedals at all times. Since your feet are practically glued to the machine there is no impact on your joints at all therefore if you have any chronic injuries such as tendonitis or arthritis using the elliptical should be safe without causing any inflammation.
In result the elliptical is the overall better machine for weight loss and joint protection but with that being said if you only use the elliptical your body will adapt and hit a plateau so make sure to use other machines as well.
Yours Truly,
~Ashly Hill
Head of Fitness Development
Excel Performance
@Excel_P
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