We’ve had our elliptical trainer for about fifteen years now. Admittedly, my husband used it a lot more than me. I wasn’t a huge fan of it as I felt like it was too wobbly to feel secure. Then the electronic board on it went out, and it was even harder to pedal and I pretty much gave up using it.

My husband plugged on though. It finally completely gave out recently with the metal shaft that supports the pedals cracking in half (that may have been the cause of the wobbliness is my guess).

So now we still want to have something we can hop on in our basement on the many gray, rainy or wintery days we tend to have here in Northeastern Ohio when walking or jogging outside isn’t as viable an option.

The question is, do we want to get another elliptical machine (one that actually feels stable and safe and isn’t hard on the joints), or a treadmill. Related: Top 5 Facial Aging Factors (Exercising Helps!)

Benefits of an Elliptical Over a Treadmill (Opinion)

While I really love a smooth treadmill that makes you feel like you’re walking on a rubberized track, there is something to be said about a smooth, stable elliptical machine. It has the added potential benefit of working the arms at the same time as they glutes, thighs, and a little calves thrown in too.

Ellipticals come in two designs, some come with moveable handles that give you that extra arm movement, and some just come with the bar that you can hold onto. Our (now defunct) elliptical came with the moveable arms, so it was nice to feel like you were getting some arm work in too.

Some say that an elliptical machine can be a real joint saver since it’s a smooth motion with less joint impact than a treadmill can have. This is true, but only if you buy a high-quality machine that isn’t clunky. Low quality machines can still put pressure on your joints, albeit probably less than a standard treadmill. Related: Exercise Lowers Stress, Slows Aging

One of the benefits of an elliptical over a treadmill may be that they have a slightly smaller footprint than the treadmill. Because most of the space they take up is upright, they may fit better into smaller workout areas.

Even better if you can find a collapsible version, but collapsible versions are most often found in the treadmill arena, that would be much harder to accomplish for an elliptical since it requires a lot of bulky machinery inside to power it.

Benefits of a Treadmill Over an Elliptical (Another Opinion)

Treadmills do tend to take up more floor space than an elliptical machine as a general rule, but there are definitely some huge ellipticals that take up more space width wise and length. There are also more ‘foldable” options when it comes to treadmills, meaning you might be able to fold the large runway part up and tuck it away into a corner when it’s not in use.

One of the concerns some have with treadmills is the shock to the joints, especially if you are using it to jog or run, or are alternating between walking and running. Ellipticals are a common choice over treadmills for this reason. Some also think that ellipticals tend to burn more calories than a treadmill, because of the greater resistance, constant motion, and more of a controlled way to ensure you’re constantly getting resistance training combined with cardio.

Runners tend to really like treadmills for the guarantee they will be able to run indoors even when the weather isn’t cooperating. There is something about swinging your arms by your sides when you’re walking or running, to me that movement appeals more than the movement of an elliptical, and it more closely replicates my natural movements when I’m taking a long walk outside.

I personally like the versatility of a treadmill a little more than an elliptical. I can really just take it easy if I’m not feeling in the mood for an intense cardio session. Conversely, I can really amp up the speed if I want to, or can adjust the incline if I want to get a heavier muscle workout in conjunction with the cardio.

If you’re concerned about joint impact, you can definitely fork over a little more money when making the purchase decision on a treadmill, and you can get a much smoother, more rubberized track that helps cushion the shock. It’s especially important if you’re a runner to spend the extra time and/or money looking for a great runway pad with lots of shock absorption to protect your joints.

Which is the Winner Between an Elliptical Machine and Treadmill?

In my humble opinion, I would have to say the treadmill has a slight edge over the elliptical. I just feel that it has more versatility than the elliptical machine, where I tend to get a little bored. I like the fact that I can really mix things up on a treadmill in terms of speed and incline. Related: Supplements to Relax You

I also find that if I’m at a gym and am presented with both options, I tend to go to the treadmill more often. This tells me something about my preferences, so I have to go with my gut on the final call although I think both can be excellent options for indoor exercise!