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: 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?
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: 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: 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: 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: 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 27, 2008 4:30:31 PM
DBT, well said. You're right on with that comment.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
