UBCNews - Business - Are Ellipticals or Treadmills Better For Cardio Workouts? Gym Pros Weigh In

Episode Date: February 6, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling a question that comes up all the time for home fitness enthusiasts: elliptical or treadmill - which one actually burns more calories? And more importantly, which machine should you choose based on your goals and, you know, how your body feels? SOLE Fitness City: Salt Lake City Address: 56 Exchange Pl. Website: https://www.soletreadmills.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a question that comes up all the time for home fitness enthusiasts. Elliptical or treadmill. Which one actually burns more calories? And more importantly, which machine should you choose based on your goals and, you know, how your body feels? It's a great question, and honestly, the answer isn't as straightforward as people think. Both machines can give you an excellent cardio workout, but they do it in pretty different ways. Right, so let's start with the calorie burning aspect, because that's what most people want to know. What does the research actually tell us? Well, treadmills generally have the edge for raw calorie burn.

Running on a treadmill at high intensity can burn around 606 calories per hour. Compare that to an elliptical at moderate effort, which burns somewhere between 365 to 450 calories per hour. The reason, treadmills are high impact. Your feet are striking the surface. You're lifting your body weight against gravity, and that requires more energy. Mm-hmm. That makes sense. So if someone's goal is strictly to maximize calorie burn

in a short amount of time, the treadmill might be their best bet? Exactly, especially if you're doing high-intensity interval training, or hit. Treadmills let you control speed and incline precisely, so you can really push yourself. Studies show hit workouts are super effective for burning calories, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness quickly. But there's a flip side to that intensity, right? The impact on your joints?

Absolutely. Running or jogging puts more stress on your bones and joints. Over time, that can lead to injuries like shin splints, knee issues, or even stress fractures. If you're prone to joint pain or recovering from an injury, a treadmill might not be the best choice, at least not for high intensity running. And that's where the elliptical comes in, I assume. You got it. Elipticals provide a low-impact workout. The gliding motion creates way less stress on your knees, hips, and back. It's often recommended for people with arthritis, osteoporosis, or anyone dealing with joint issues. I actually had a friend who was recovering from a knee injury, and her physical therapist put her on an elliptical. She could still get her heart rate up without aggravating the

injury. I see. That's helpful. So it's gentler on the body, but does it still deliver a solid cardio workout? Definitely. A 2010 study found that calorie burn or energy expenditure and oxygen consumption were similar on the elliptical and treadmill when exercising at the same perceived level of exertion, though heart rate was actually found to be higher on the elliptical. So even though the elliptical is low impact, it's still an acceptable alternative for cardio exercise. Plus, ellipticals often have arm handles, which means you're getting a full body workout, engaging your shoulders, chest, back, glutes, hip flexors, and quads all at once.

That point about full body workout potential sets up our next piece, muscle development. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Looking to bring high-quality cardio equipment into your home? Soul Fitness offers durable, affordable treadmills and ellipticals designed to support your health and wellness goals. Their treadmills feature advanced cushioning to reduce joint impact, powerful motors, and intuitive consoles. Their ellipticals provide smooth, quiet workouts with adjustable resistance and stride lengths. Check out their full lineup and find the right fit for your fitness needs at sole treadmills.com.

Picking up on that full-body workout idea, how do ellipticals compare to treadmills for building muscle strength? Great question. Treadmills are better for building leg strength. They target your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, hip flexors, and glutes. But they don't do much for your upper body unless you, um, add dumbbells while walking. Elypticals, on the other hand, work both upper and lower body simultaneously. And here's a cool feature. Many ellipticals let you pedal in reverse, which targets different muscles like your calves and hamstrings.

So if you're short on time and want to hit multiple muscle groups, the elliptical might be more efficient? Exactly. The key is workout versatility. Elipticals often have adjustable resistance levels. Some go up to 40 levels, so you can progressively challenge your muscles. That progressive challenge is crucial for fat loss and building strength over time. You need that resistance progression or you'll plateau. Make sense. Now let's talk about the practical side. Have you ever wondered which machine is easier to use, especially if you're just starting out? Well, treadmills are pretty intuitive. Walking and running are natural movements, but ellipticals have a bit of a learning curve. The motion can feel awkward at first. If you're new to it, I'd suggest starting without the arm handles just to get comfortable with the leg movement. I remember my first time, Aunt One. I felt like a baby giraffe trying to walk. Ha!

I think we've all been there. And safety-wise, what should people keep in mind? On a treadmill, always use the safety clip. It'll stop the belt if you trip. And make sure you warm up and cool down properly to reduce injury risk. On an elliptical, focus on good posture and keep your core engaged. If you feel dizzy or light-headed on either machine, stop immediately and hydrate. Right, definitely.

So to everyone listening, the choice really comes down to your personal goals and physical condition. If you're training for a race or want to maximize calorie burn, the treadmill might be your go-to. But if you need something easier on your joints or want a full-body workout, the elliptical is a solid option. Right. And remember, both machines. machines are effective. The question is, what fits your body and your goals? You might even benefit from alternating between them to keep things fresh and challenge different muscle groups. I love that approach. Variety keeps workouts interesting and prevents burnout. Before we wrap up, any final tips for getting the most out of either machine? Yeah, I'd say monitor your heart rate.

For moderate intensity exercise, aim for about 64 to 76% of your maximum heart rate. That's the sweet spot for fat burning and cardiovascular health. Most machines have heart rate monitors built in, so use them. And don't forget to stretch after your workout. It helps with recovery and flexibility. Fantastic advice. Thanks so much for breaking this down with us today. It's clear that whether your team treadmill or team ellipy,

you can achieve great results as long as you're consistent and listen to your body. Absolutely happy to be here.