which do you prefer when you have to workout inside
an elliptical trainer or a treadmill
ok so I just got done with a 30 minute stint on the elliptical and I have used the treadmill at the gym. my joints prefer the elliptical but I’m torn as to which gives you a better leg workout.
Intervals on the treadmill are tough, considering most of them top out at 6min/mile pace. That said, they don’t teach you to run fast, they teach you to hop fast. Treadmill running involves slot more vertical movement than regular running, so outdoor running ot indoor track running (which is hard on the joints and also sucks) are better alternatives.
For general fitness this is a good question but to improve running performance the treadmill is the answer. Treadmill running has proven to improve outdoor running ability. For example Chris Clark from Alaska won the 2000 woman’s marathon Olympic Trials after doing almost all of her training on a treadmill.
The problem with treadmill running is that it is incredibly boring to do long distance. But I find the time flies doing intervals. As the previous writer said you can set the exact speed and incline and monitor performance. This is a problem if you just want to build endurance in the winter.
Several years ago I took minutes off of my 5K time after following a treadmill workout schedule from Owen Anderson that is in a back issue of Running Reseach News.
First of all Eric - you’re only HOW far from a ton of awesome running trails and tracks around the Bay Area?? LOL… ok… about the question…
I own both but never use the elliptical anymore. Treadmill - boring as it is - is still the way to go. (unless of course you are nursing an injury in which case the zero impact elliptical is a good choice). But assuming you’re healthy, go for the treadmill. Reason being the eliptical does nothing to reinforce muscle memory and focus on running form. Treadmill makes you focus on form. I disagree with a previous poster that treadmills are good for intervals. But they are great for ensuring good turnover.
I recently bought a slightly used Pacemaster Pro for $1,000. It is as good as most gym treadmills. Check the classifieds, fitness stores, and “Play it again Sports” if you have one in your area. As to the storage problem, I feel your pain. Perhaps you can put a plant on it : )
I also have a pacemaster pro and love it. It is as stable as the cybex high end unit at the gym even on a 12% grade. although it has a top end speed limit it is fine for nearly all of the work that I want to do on it. I can wait for the summer before I start fast intervals.
I have a Reebok treadmill that is pretty good (RBX 525 maybe?). Pretty high horsepower, good size running surface, max speed of 12mph and a max incline of 10%. I have been running on it for over a year and have had no problems with it at all - bought it at oshmans.com on closeout for $999 including shipping, list was $1699.
One great thing about this treadmill is the iFit compatibility. I have a program that lets me create custom workouts, put them to music, then burn them to a CD. The treadmill has a minijack input, so all I need is a splitter from my CD player - one side goes to the headphones, the other goes to the treadmill. Makes 60 minutes on this thing go by much faster.
Here’s a good hill workout I recently began doing on a weekly basis… don’t attempt this if you don’t have a good “base”… at least 6 months of “serious” running.
10 minute warmup
5 min at 4%
10 min at 5%
10 min at 6.5%
10 min at 7.5%
10 min cooldown
Do not change the speed, set treadmill to one speed and leave it there, only change the grade.
Killer workout, kicks the crap outta my legs everytime I do it.