Treadmill vs. Elliptical: What Burns More Calories?
I'm often asked, "if I want to make the best use of my time and burn the most amount of calories which machine should I choose?"
If you're strictly looking at which cardiovascular piece requires more energy expenditure, the elliptical or treadmill, then you will find that the answer lies in the amount of work that is asked of your body when using each piece. All other things being equal, the act of running requires more mechanical work of your body, and thus, burns more calories when compared to using an elliptical machine.
Although ellipticals can provide a great workout, their smooth, comfortable motion actually works against them when it comes to forcing the body to absorb impact, resist rotation, and other factors that all add up to increased caloric expenditure.
Here are some comparative statistics on a treadmill vs. elliptical:
Ex: 180lb person completing 45 minutes of work
Elliptical – 441.8 calories burned
Treadmill – 675 calories burned (9 minute mile pace)
* Statistics taken from primusweb.com
Although your exact results will vary depending on your weight, intensity, and other factors, I hope these stats give you a better idea of how treadmills outperform ellipticals in terms of calories burned in a given time period. However, don't rule out ellipticals as a useful piece of cardiovascular equipment… in my next post I'll show you why.
older posts
Posted by: lori | Nov 9, 2009 3:24:03 AM
Hello. I'm 21, 5'5, and165 lbs. I am tired of not being in shape! I danced on the school dance team from middle school to senior year, and then weighed 135. I have never had a problem with gaining weight until these last few years. My heaviest was 173(that was a year and a half ago) and somehow lost a little. I basically have cut soda out completly, maybe that's why. Anyway, I'm stuck. I'm getting married next year and hoping not to be a fat bride. Please help. Which is better for me? A treadmill or elliptical? My treadmill kicks my butt but I have more fun and feel more burn on an Elliptical. Oh, and I've been on birthcontrol since the beginning of my senior year. ..almost four years. Is my weight problems due to that maybe?
Posted by: Heidy | Oct 27, 2009 10:26:36 AM
Help!!, I had a baby and I am trying to lose that extra weight, but my treadmill broke (a Weslo a cheaper brand) and I have to change the console. Now I am not sure if I should fix it or by myself an elliptical machine, I am afraid the treadmill will fail again.
Thanks
Posted by: Nathan | Oct 14, 2009 8:20:11 AM
Repy to: Meka | Jul 1, 2009 7:36:48 PM
You have got to be kidding me "I don't want to get muscles." What do you think burns the calories. Do you think you are going to get like The Hulk if you lift a few weights. Weight training has to be part of any long term weight loss program.
Posted by: Shorty | Sep 21, 2009 7:10:10 PM
I walk 8 miles a day; 4 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon; but I am replacing the afternoon walk with an hour of elliptical. It will take me 2 hours of walking to get the same calorie burning of one hour of elliptical work. Unless you jog at a 9 mile pace and not too many people can do that; I use to do that 30 years ago but after 30 years of jogging my knees are a bit beat up.
Go NAVY 78
Posted by: Kelly | Aug 3, 2009 4:09:18 PM
Can someone show me a runnig form that does not require you to use your upper body in the process. The elliptical machine uses a mecahnical advantage to work make the motion easier on the joist but also disapating the effort need to make the machine move. Whether running on a treadmill or on the street you still have to carry your own body weight without help to make the movement.
Posted by: jami | Jul 8, 2009 1:59:24 PM
i have been working out for 3 months on the elliptical machine i lost 17lbs but now my weight loss has stopped i do 45 min at 6mph and it says i lost 620 calories but somehow on the treadmill i feel like it gives me a better workout but it says less calories is it because i cant run at 6mph for 45mins without walking? what should i do to achieve my goal of 50 lbs?
Posted by: Meka | Jul 1, 2009 7:36:48 PM
Also I started going back to the gym 3 weeks ago and a week before that I drastically changed my eating habits into a much healthier eating style which includes veggies, fruits, whole wheats etc. I barely eat any thing that is considered as junk food, cut off all soda's and even juice for now and I drink lots of water. When I started 4 weeks ago, I was weighing 204.8lbs and now I'm down to 197lbs.
I go to the gym 3X/week and use the treadmill for 30mins at inclines ranging from 6-13 at a speed range of 3.2-3.4. I also complete my workout with 13 mins of the eliptical. Unfortunately I cant run on the treadmill like the others because I still feel very heavy and want to go down to 190lbs before I feel like I have the energy to run on the treadmill too.
My question to you is: What else can I do to continue loosing weight at a rate of approximately 4-6lbs per month? I dont want to get muscles and want to first do mostly cardio exercises until I get down to about 175lbs. I am 5'7 and a female. Current weight is now 197lbs.
Thanks for your help as always Steve!
Posted by: Meka | Jul 1, 2009 7:30:16 PM
Quick question: What type of exercise can I do to reduce my calves? I have big calves adn even when I loose over weight, my calves never seem to get smailed like the rest of my body and this makes me very self conscious to the point where I refuse to wear dresses if they are not down to my ankle. It has also given me very low self esteem as most of my girl pals (I am a female) get to rock min dresses of dress above their calves and look sexy but I look like an old lady in long skirts of pants! :-( :-(
Posted by: Meka | Jul 1, 2009 7:07:48 PM
I started going to the gym again after almost a year because my weight went up to 204.8lbs. I am 5'7 and I also changed my diet by eating mostly whole wheat products, fruits and veggies.
I have been doing 30 mins on the treadmill, most of which has been on incline ranging from 6-12 at a speed of 3.2-3.4. I cant go faster until I drop my weight down to about 190lbs as I feel very heavy right now.I also use the eliptical for 13 mins as my last cardio but I get very tired using it quickly. I'm in my 3 week of going to the gym and eating healthier and I'm now down to 197 and I already feel the difference.
My question to you Steve is What should I do now to continue loosing weight at a good rate of about 1lbs per week or about 4-6lbs per month? I want to do strictly cardio and love the treadmill and eliptical but I cant run on the treadmill yet until I loose some more weight so I can feel lighter and wont tire out quickly. Please help...
Posted by: David | Jun 27, 2009 2:03:07 AM
My pulse watch shows HR of 140 using the stepper compared to 120 running on the tridmill , even though it's easier for me to use the stepper.
It obviously means I burn more calories on the stepper.
Posted by: David | Jun 27, 2009 2:00:35 AM
I was forced to use the readmil after suffering a stress facture at my foor. I never considered using it and always used to run on the tridmill at 9 Km/h (I suppose it's Km and not mile) , I was amazed to find with my pulse watch that using the stepper is much easier and yet my heart rate goes to 140 , while when I run it's only 120, meaning the stepper definetely burns more calories.
Weird.
Posted by: Rod | Jun 7, 2009 2:09:29 AM
You can run, you can walk, you can jog you can sprint, Diet is number one ...always.....Shit in shit out!
Posted by: NAT M. | May 27, 2009 8:49:57 PM
I USE THE TREADMILL AT THE GYM 5X A WEEK FOR 45MIN AT A 2.8 SPEED AND 7.5 INCLINE BUT ITS STARTING TO GET BORING..I COULD ONLY DO THE ELLIPTICAL FOR 10 MINUTES..I DONT KNOW WHAT TO CHANGE
Posted by: Mark | Apr 1, 2009 4:23:32 PM
I've been working out for about three weeks since being diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension. I started on the treadmill with the advice of my doctor, but found the pounding was getting to my weak ankles. I moved to an elliptical trainer and find it is better for my unique circumstances (I've broken each ankle three times). I'm just not as beat up after working out on the elliptical as I am after the treadmill. However, I still have decided to work out on the treadmill one day a week for the cross-training benefits of walking briskly at an incline.
Oh, BTW, combing the cardio five days a week (36 minutes) and weight training three days per week (45 minutes), I've lost eight pounds already and chopped 20 points of my BP......
Posted by: Stacey Marie Smith Stine | Mar 19, 2009 2:43:56 PM
What is the equivalency of running six miles on a treadmill/outdoors versus doing six miles on an Elliptical trainer? Where can I get this information? I have googled the subject and have even called gyms around the area. Help? I want to run a marathon in May but I live in Vermont and have two small children so training is not always feasible outdoors. I have an elliptical but no treadmill.
Thanks for your help,
Stacey
Posted by: gabriel | Feb 17, 2009 12:19:47 AM
>will not cause any significant muscle gain on your thighs
i disagree. i set resistance close to maximum and damn near sprint non-stop. there's plenty of muscle gain to be had.
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Feb 11, 2009 7:38:18 PM
Hi Tara,
Both cardio machines predominantly work your heart and lungs and will not cause any significant muscle gain on your thighs.
I would just choose the machine you will most likely use on a consistent basis.
Posted by: Tara J. | Feb 10, 2009 4:33:08 PM
I am trying to decide whether to buy an elliptical or a treadmill. I tend to use treadmills at the gym and am happy w/ the results w/ a fast walking pace w/ a 4-6 deg. incline. What muscles are being used for each machine? I don't want to build upper thigh muscles from the elliptical or is that a wrong assessment? I'm just looking to tone and burn fat.
Posted by: Tara J. | Feb 10, 2009 4:31:56 PM
I am trying to decide whether to buy an elliptical or a treadmill. I tend to use treadmills at the gym and am happy w/ the results w/ a fast walking pace w/ a 4-6 deg. incline. What muscles are being used for each machine? I don't want to build upper thigh muscles from the elliptical or is that a wrong assessment? I'm just looking to tone and burn fat.
Posted by: Beanie Pie | Feb 3, 2009 4:23:19 PM
Find The Cure,
What was your exact workout plan on the elliptical? What was your diet?I am very impressed with your weight loss.
Posted by: Findthe cure | Jan 30, 2009 8:37:38 PM
I like the elliptical over the treadmill, I work out 6 days a week, I get bord on the treadmill and I build a great sweet on the elliptical. My starting diet weight was 267 LB's I am now down 100 LB's on the elliptical Not only did I have a great weight loss I also built mussel
Posted by: Caitlin | Jan 19, 2009 8:50:56 AM
I have had an elliptical and never had a treadmill. It's not just about which one to buy, but which one will I be more inclined to use. My elliptical became a coat rack and when asking others, they say the same. I think I will be more inclined to purchase something that I will actually use. Have you found that people who purchase elliptical tend to use them less than they would a treadmill?
Posted by: Elizabeth | Dec 29, 2008 4:46:25 PM
I am looking to buy either an elliptical or a treadmill. I don't know which one I should get - I am about 30 pounds over weight and it mostly sits from my hips down. Which one would give me the best results - I am not a fan of working out and don't want to put a lot of money into something that won't work for me.
Posted by: Jen | Dec 10, 2008 8:26:40 PM
I have also noticed that i burn more calories on the elliptical as oppose to the treadmill. I work out with a personal trainer 3 days a week and she says the same. The treadmill works your lower body and is great for avid runners. However, the elliptical burns more calories because you are not just using your lower body like on the treadmill, you use your whole body. Just because its has no impact on your joint ( which is definitely a plus in the long run) doesn't mean it is less of a work out. In fact, it is more. Again, unless you are an avid runner preparing for a marathon or just truly enjoy running and are unable to run outdoors.
Posted by: shirtees.net | Nov 4, 2008 1:10:28 AM
I am a 35 yo madman, 6'0" do 14 elliptical workouts a week and weigh 450 lbs. Ive been doing this doo-doo for a year now and nothing seems to help. I think its because I eat Krispy Kreme donuts all the time, but I notice no one else fesses up to that. I then started running on a treadmill... 1 mile in the morning and one mile in the evening, 7 days a week, cut out the donuts and guess what? Ive lost 250 lbs and weigh 200 lbs now and look like Mr Clean.
Posted by: tuscanystone | Oct 28, 2008 2:26:12 PM
You can exercise your butt off at the gym and not lose a pound if you're eating too much or eating too little! I can't tell you how crucial it is to measure your calorific intake; guessing is just not accurate enough. If you dont eat enough your body holds onto the fat for dear life. If you're eating too much then it stores it. There is a fine balance to strike in the weight loss zone.
Posted by: Marjorie | Sep 17, 2008 1:24:23 PM
45 yo female 120 lbs 5'5" usually do 3 workouts per week consisting of light weights for upper body, crunches and treadmil for cardio. Developed plantar fasciitis. Have been doing crunches and 35 laps of swimming 3 times a week (alternating strokes) Will this do the job or do I need to go back to weights?
Posted by: Ritz | Aug 20, 2008 5:41:45 PM
hi,
i am 130lbs, 5'5 and 26 yrs old. i have been going to gym regulary 4-5 times a week for alomost more than a year and i workout for 1 hr. i do walk on treadmill for 20 mins and on elliptical for 30 mins and do other excersizes for 10-15 mins,over all the machines show around 500 calories lost, but i havnt noticed any kind of weightloss at all. how much more i have to do to lose at least 10 lbs? i am totally upset about not getting any results..
Posted by: britt | May 25, 2008 3:36:37 PM
i am about 135lbs, 5'7, and 21 years old. 've always been very athletic, but i'm trying to lose weight on my butt/thighs area so i do about 2hrs a day, 6 times a week of cardio/weight training but i'm only seeing a difference in my upper body. i know we all have problem areas that are harder to lose weight in, but i've been doing it for months now, and it just seems like there is nothing changing except in my upper body. i usually do about 40- 1hr of cardio on the elliptical or tredmill, and then the rest of the time spent on weight training and i do arms/chest/back every other day and legs/butt/thighs on the other days. what can i do to help?? i feel like im working so hard, but not seeing the results (and yes i'm eating well too..) i dont get it! ha
Posted by: slowly but surely | Apr 20, 2008 11:30:22 PM
I have managed to lose about 30lbs by working myself up to 4-5 miles (split up into 2 sessions) on the treadmill (1% incline). I do the first mile in 9 min but the second is usually a 10 min mile.
I recently bought an elliptical and do that, at moderate to high intensity, in the eve instead of my evening 2mi run. I feel as though I get much sweatier but I do not need to stop to catch my breath like I do on the treadmill.
In your opinion, am I burning the same amount of calories and getting an equivalent workout? I am 160 5'9.
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Apr 18, 2008 2:08:42 PM
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for your question. Check out this link for a full post on a beginner's jump rope program.
http://blog.nutritiondata.com/dieting_weight_loss_blog/2008/04/jump-rope-condi.html
Posted by: Douglas | Apr 17, 2008 4:14:42 AM
I am 17 years old and 200 pounds i'm 5-10" i've been using the jump rope for quite some time but because of my busy schedule i stopped. Now it's our summer break so i'm back to using the jump rope however i was wondering if you could reccomend me a jump rope program because i heard the jump rope can seriously help shed off a lot of pounds.
Posted by: Cynthia Browning | Apr 9, 2008 10:56:06 AM
I am 51 years old and weigh over 200 lbs. I am post op knee scope.I am instructed to use elliptical only along with swimming and recumbent bike.I was hoping to continue weight loss on the elliptical. It is VERY different from the treadmill.When I started, i could only do 2 min. After 2 weeks I can do 30 min. :)everday."stuff" is moving around on me and I feel better but no weight loss yet. :(
~C
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Mar 27, 2008 4:30:31 PM
DBT, well said. You're right on with that comment.
Posted by: dbt | Mar 27, 2008 4:02:11 PM
Thanks Steven for the prompt discussion of mets and watts. Isn't this whole elliptical vs. treadmill comparison academic ? People are different, with different ages, conditions, fitness levels, tolerance levels, etc. For some, a treadmill will be much than an elliptical. For others, as you have pointed out, the smooth action of the elliptical will allow them to train at levels they could not on a treadmill, without severe discomfort. Neither is "better"; they just are. Like the people that use them.
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Mar 26, 2008 8:56:31 PM
Great questions. You can find the answer explained in this post:
http://blog.nutritiondata.com/dieting_weight_loss_blog/2008/03/what-are-the-me.html
Posted by: Monica Reinagel | Mar 26, 2008 11:35:41 AM
Steve, the cardio equipment at my gym also gives read-outs for things like Mets and Watts, in addition to distance and calories burned. I never know how to intepret those numbers or what I should be shooting for. Maybe you could address that in a future post?
Posted by: dbt | Mar 24, 2008 5:42:33 PM
I use an elliptical as the cardio component of a weekly regime of 25+ miles of cardio per week, three circuit training sessions of between 60-80 minutes, and two yoga classes. The elliptical says I burn 400 calories in 28 minutes. I weigh 204, am 48, and move at from 140 - 185 strides per minute; heart rate goes up to about 155-160 depending on the music. With creaky middle aged knees the elliptical saves my bacon.
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Mar 24, 2008 1:26:42 PM
Hi Sophy,
Unless you're pumping away on the elliptical as fast as you can, you're more than likely not burning 600 calories in 40 minutes at 150lbs. Some companies incorrectly calibrate their machines to have higher "calories burned" readouts than is actually the case.
However, if you are moving quickly on the elliptical and only walking at a light pace on the treadmill you will certainly burn more using the elliptical. You must look at your relative pace when comparing the two.
Posted by: sophy | Mar 24, 2008 5:29:48 AM
Dear sir,
I always use elliptical and i thought that it burns more calories than treadmill.
example: i work for 40min. using elliptical in the gim and lose almost 600 caloris. whereas if i walk using treadmill for one hour i lose only 450 calories. my whight is 150lb. can you please give me your advice regading this matter?
