Elliptical Vs Treadmill: Which Burns More Calories?

There is considerable controversy these days as to whether a treadmill or elliptical trainer burns more calories. Treadmills and ellipticals are the #1 and #2 best-selling fitness equipment.

Many dedicated treadmill users are switching to elliptical trainers. The draw is low impact upper and lower body training. Although treadmills still outsell ellipticals. The reason is that the most common way to exercise is walking and jogging.

In my research, I came across a number of reports and studies and overall it seems that both machines give comparable calorie burning results. In fact, using a calorie burn calculator shows that a workout on an elliptical machine gives you the same results as running on a treadmill, but you burn fewer calories if you walk or jog on a treadmill.

Calories burned in 60 minutes for 150 lbs. Username:

Walking, 2 mph – 189

Walking, 3 mph – 297

Running – 477

Running, 7 mph – 783

Elliptical Trainer – 774

There was a basic flaw in the results, as it allowed you to compare calories burned at different levels of exertion on the treadmill, but not on the elliptical. He often sees people working out on an elliptical at gyms, and they basically just go through the motions. The calories they burn are no more than you would get with a casual walk.

So which machine is best for burning calories?

It depends on which machine motivates you the most and takes you to the highest level of effort.

If you’re a devoted walker or runner, the treadmill is an obvious choice. The treadmill offers you a more forgiving surface compared to asphalt or concrete. It provides you with various programs that can add variety to your exercise. But to get results you need to increase the speed and/or incline. Without exerting yourself, you will limit the number of calories you burn.

As mentioned, the elliptical trainer is growing in popularity due to its low impact and combined upper and lower body training. Since the machine moves in an elliptical motion and your feet never leave the pedals, it minimizes impact and stress on your ankles, knees, and back. This is an attractive feature for the aging baby boomer generation.

Additionally, an elliptical trainer exercises your upper and lower body simultaneously. The upper and lower body exercise uses the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps, and biceps. Studies suggest that exercising numerous muscle groups increases the efficiency of fat burning. The greater the muscle mass involved in an exercise, the more effective that exercise will be in improving fat mobilization, burning calories, and building muscular endurance in an efficient period of time.

This would suggest that an elliptical trainer would burn more calories, but there’s no denying that running also burns calories efficiently.

So which machine should you buy?

If your joints are under strain or simply from age, and you want to exercise your upper body, the elliptical trainer is a good choice. For walkers, joggers, or joggers, you can’t go wrong with a treadmill.

In any case, to burn calories you need to work hard. Both machines offer a variety of challenging programs. Most now come equipped with an “interval training” program. Alternate between high level effort and cool down periods. This type of training burns calories more efficiently in less time. With proper supervision from your doctor, try to push yourself to new limits.

I’m sorry I didn’t offer a definitive answer. It really is up to you to find the machine that best suits your needs and will help you achieve your personal best.