What is the difference between elliptical trainers

First patented by Precor in , this design features a flywheel located at the back of the machine. Due to the position of the flywheel, rear drive ellipticals have the ability to provide a very smooth and stable range of motion. Additionally, due to the flywheel being positioned in the rear, the center of balance for this type of machine is located more toward the center.

They also typically allow for a longer, more natural stride. At American Home Fitness, we offer a wide range of Precor gym equipment , including their popular rear drive elliptical trainers and treadmills. Front drive ellipticals are the converse of read drive ellipticals in nearly every way. This elliptical style places the flywheel in the front of the machine and roller tracks in the back.

The pedals on this style of elliptical slide along these tracks and provide a slightly more vertical range of motion, whereas rear drive ellipticals provide a more horizontal range of motion.

Depending on the slope of the elliptical, this type of elliptical can sometimes provide a workout similar to that of a stair climber. Front drive ellipticals are typically a bit lower to the ground, and they may offer a better option for users with a more limited range of mobility, as they do not require the user to step over the machine to get on. Center drive ellipticals as the most recent iteration of the generic elliptical format. In this format, the flywheel is typically located on either side of the pedals.

Like front drive ellipticals, center drive ellipticals offer a more vertical range of motion and slightly resemble the movement of a stair climber machine. One of the main benefits of exercising on a treadmill is the versatility you have. Whether you want to do a brisk walk or an uphill run, you have the option to dial in the exact speed and incline of your workout.

Most treadmills also allow you to choose from a variety of training programs. Having more control over your workout may make it easier to reach your fitness goals. Because you can easily control the speed and incline, treadmills are well-suited to high-intensity interval training HIIT workouts. Studies show that HIIT workouts are effective for burning calories, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness in a short period of time.

Running or walking on the treadmill can strengthen your leg muscles, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. A treadmill workout can also strengthen your hip flexors and glutes. To further strengthen your legs and to help prevent injury, practice doing squats and lunges several times a week in addition to your treadmill workouts. Running or jogging on a treadmill can put more stress on your bones and joints compared to working out on an elliptical trainer.

Ultimately, this can lead to injuries. Common running injuries include shin splints , knee injuries, and stress fractures. To reduce the risk of injuries, always start your treadmill workout with a warm-up and end with a cool down. Also be sure to stretch after your treadmill session. If you find that running on the treadmill is too hard on your body, you can try switching to cardio workouts that are gentler on your bones and joints, like swimming or biking. You can also try reducing the number of miles you run each week, or you could alternate between running and walking.

Running shoe inserts may also help provide support and reduce injuries. With an elliptical, you can work the muscles in your arms, shoulders, back, and chest, as well as the muscles in your lower body.

By reversing direction, an elliptical also helps you to isolate specific muscles, which is harder to do with a treadmill. Trying to decide between a treadmill or an elliptical depends on your physical health and fitness goals.

Both machines can be equally beneficial for burning calories and getting a good cardiovascular workout. If you are new to the elliptical, you may want to try using it without the arm handles at first. On average though, ShapeFit. The cross trainer will use muscles in the upper body that the elliptical trainer or glider will not. All three machines require hip and knee extension from using the pedals. Hip extension happens courtesy of the thigh and buttocks muscles, including the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semitendiunosus, semimembranosus and adductor magnus.

The quads are responsible for knee extension. These muscles work with all three machines, but the body must also perform shoulder flexion and extension, elbow flexion and extension, and protraction and retraction of the shoulder blades to move the arms. This is going to involve the back, shoulder, chest and forearm and upper arm muscles including the traps, rhomboids, lats, pecs, serratus anterior, levator scapulae, biceps, brachialis, brachioradialis, triceps, anconeus, teres major and coracobrachialis.

None of those upper body muscles work when using an elliptical trainer or glider. Cross trainers also offer a dual action motion forward and backward which work different groups of leg muscles. With the moveable arm handles, your heart rate becomes elevated quickly as your upper and lower body work in synch for a better overall workout. Many people choose an elliptical machine due to its low impact nature which minimizes stress on joints and reduces the risk of injury.

Although the motion has minimal impact, it is still a weight-bearing exercise and many users end up burning more calories compared to a treadmill due to the fact that the perceived rate of exertion is lower. Even though it may not seem as difficult or exhausting as running, elliptical machines provide the same amount of exertion on the leg muscles as well as the heart. For anyone unable to participate in aerobic exercise due to the impact it can have on their joints, both a cross trainer or elliptical trainer is an excellent solution.

Regular aerobic activity is incredibly important for our overall health and research has shown that it helps us live longer, be healthier and happier.