Which is better: treadmill or cross trainer?
A treadmill and a cross trainer are both popular cardio machines. At the gym, you’ll often find them in high demand, and they’re also at the top of the list for many people looking to buy a cardio machine for home workouts. Both devices help improve your fitness and burn calories. But which is better: working out on a treadmill or a cross trainer? In this blog, we’ll compare the benefits of both fitness machines.
Benefits of training on a treadmill
The treadmill is one of the most popular fitness machines for good reason. It's versatile and an excellent choice for a variety of health goals, including calorie burning and running training. You can choose from different speeds, making it easy to adjust the intensity of your workout. You can also change the incline of the treadmill. This versatility makes a treadmill ideal for beginners, experienced runners, and everyone in between. The flat, cushioned surface also reduces the risk of overuse injuries compared to running outdoors.
The treadmill is ideal for athletes of all levels who want to easily adjust their workouts and improve their fitness, fat burning, or running performance with minimal discomfort. However, it only targets your lower body.
Benefits of a cross trainer
Using a cross trainer is also a popular option. It’s ideal for people who want a full-body workout at low intensity. Your joints are less stressed compared to other cardio exercises. Your feet stay on the pedals rather than hitting the ground with every step, which makes it great for seniors or those with joint issues or injuries. A cross trainer works both your arms and legs at the same time—thanks to the handlebars that you push and pull, you train your arms, shoulders, and back. These extra movements also help you burn more calories than if you were only using the pedals.
A cross trainer is a great way to train your entire body with minimal risk of injury. However, it’s not as easily adjustable for intensity and isn’t suited for actual running practice.
Differences between a treadmill and a cross trainer
Both the treadmill and cross trainer are versatile machines suitable for low-impact workouts. They are effective tools for improving your fitness and burning calories. However, there are a few key differences between the two:
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Calorie burn: Both machines help you burn calories. On a treadmill, you control the intensity manually, whereas on a cross trainer, you get a full-body workout with low impact.
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Joint impact: A cross trainer offers a low-impact workout, placing less strain on your joints. On a treadmill, your feet strike the ground with every step, which slightly increases the risk of joint issues. Still, a treadmill is gentler than running outdoors on uneven or hard surfaces.
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Variety: A treadmill offers a lot of variety in your workouts since you can adjust the speed and incline. A cross trainer, on the other hand, offers fewer ways to customize your training sessions.
As you can see, both machines have their own pros and cons. Whether a treadmill or cross trainer is better for you depends on your personal fitness goals.
Does a treadmill or a cross trainer suit me better?
If you're ready to buy a home fitness machine, it’s important to consider which one best suits you. The right choice depends on several factors: your fitness level, goals, any injuries, and personal preference. We're here to help you find the machine that meets your needs:
When should I choose a treadmill?
A treadmill is a good choice if you want to lose weight or improve your cardio. It's especially effective for running training. You can easily switch between types of workouts and adjust the intensity. This makes it ideal for both beginners and advanced users. Walking on a treadmill primarily targets your leg and glute muscles.
When should I choose a cross trainer?
The cross trainer is also excellent for improving your fitness and losing weight. It gives you a full-body workout with minimal impact and little risk of pain or discomfort. For general fitness, seniors, or people prone to injury, the cross trainer is a great option. However, if you want to train specific skills like running, the cross trainer may not be the best choice.
Order your treadmill for home use
At Slimmingslabs, you can order everything you need for fitness. Explore our wide range of fitness equipment, including treadmills, and find the machine that best suits your needs!