Treadmill v cross trainer

looksee

Hope this is the right thread, I can't see too much about gym equipment but if there is a better place to post please move it.

I am looking at getting either a treadmill or an eliptical cross trainer. I want a decent, solid piece of equipment, but as I am an older user I will not be looking for anything very fast and I do not need computer stuff beyond speed/distance.

Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of treadmills v cross trainers? I have used (ie, been on one) a treadmill, and read up reviews, but I don't know anything about cross trainers. What is the difference between eliptical and any other sort of cross trainer?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Einhard

I tend to use the cross trainer any time I'm in the gym, because I have slightly dodgy knees. In an hour, going at a good speed, I burn (according to the machine, anyway) about 750 calories, which is pretty good going. The trwadmill would burn more in the same time I imagine, but the effort (for me) would be greater. I find the cross trainer a good deal less harsh on the joints too, because one is suspended so to speak. With the threadmill, one is pounding along and, even though it's a relatively soft surface, it does have an impact.

Hope that helps!

Kashkai

Like you, I'm past the first flush of youth and my knees and ankles are starting to complain when I spend too long on the treadmill. However I like to come away from the gym feeling like I've had a good workout and watching people on the cross trainers reading or talking on their mobiles gives me the impression they're not giving the same intensity of workout that the treadmill gives.

SBWife

Einhard wrote: »

I tend to use the cross trainer any time I'm in the gym, because I have slightly dodgy knees. In an hour, going at a good speed, I burn (according to the machine, anyway) about 750 calories, which is pretty good going. The trwadmill would burn more in the same time I imagine, but the effort (for me) would be greater. I find the cross trainer a good deal less harsh on the joints too, because one is suspended so to speak. With the threadmill, one is pounding along and, even though it's a relatively soft surface, it does have an impact.

Hope that helps!

I'd divide the calorie count by 2, you'd be closer to the truth elipticals are notorious for overestimating what you have burned.

looksee

Thanks for your replies, they are helpful, I am still wavering.

I was talking to someone since I posted here and they were suggesting the cross trainer, and the arguments seem very good for it. I have a sense of preference for walking though. One of the arguments for the cross trainer is that it gives upper body workout too.

Maybe at my stage of exercise it is not going to make a whole lot of difference. I will have chance to try a cross trainer at the weekend I hope, so that might give me a better idea.

Any more views would be very welcome

Einhard

SBWife wrote: »

I'd divide the calorie count by 2, you'd be closer to the truth elipticals are notorious for overestimating what you have burned.

I didn't need to hear that. :mad:










:pac:

looksee

I have had a chance to try a cross trainer, a large, expensive, non-commercial one. I thought it was much harder work than the treadmill. I also had a go on a non-commercial treadmill. Apart from having a dodgy foot which sometimes affects my walking I thought the treadmill was very easy compared with the cross trainer. Mostly though I was having trouble maintaining a rhythm on the cross trainer.

I am tending towards the cross trainer, but the one I was on had an 18" stride and I felt a bit constrained on it. I think I would need a 20" one, but a lot of the machine information does not include the stride length. I am female, 5'10 with proportionately long legs.

Has anyone had any dealings with Irish Sports Warehouse? They have 'offers' but the 'reduced' price appears to be around the top end of what anyone else is offering as the actual price.

I am nervous of buying second hand as I have no idea how I could move a machine, they are massively heavy.

siochain

CT will give you a good workout with the right intensity and theres a huge difference in terms of impact in the joints when compared with a TM.

Different brands of CT's can have a big difference in there rang of motion, try a good few out before you buy.

looksee

siochain wrote: »

CT will give you a good workout with the right intensity and theres a huge difference in terms of impact in the joints when compared with a TM.

Different brands of CT's can have a big difference in there rang of motion, try a good few out before you buy.

Yes, I am coming to that conclusion! When I said the treadmill was easy, I meant that it was too easy, I didn't feel it was demanding very much of me. I think I will take my time on this and as you say, try a few.

The gym I go to (Aura, in Drogheda) have all of their gear by the same brand (EducoGym). I've no idea if their stuff is very expensive or not, but their cross trainer is excellent (now, as I write this, I'm kind of coming to the conclusion already that maybe EducoGym's stuff might be ridiculously expensive, and probably designed solely for gyms, as they have to accommodate all kinds of people and be expected to be used all day every day with few, if any breakdowns, but that said, they may offer a series of products and have stuff for home gyms?).


Personally, as a horribly overweight person, I think the Cross Trainer is the way to go. I like treadmills, to be honest, but my ankles and knees don't. If you're at all wary about your fitness level I'd side with the Cross Trainer, but if you reckon you'd be good to go for long walks/runs on a treadmill, then I'd go with that. I personally prefer the 'challenge' (and resulting enthusiasm afterwards) of a go on the treadmill. I often get off a treadmill barely able to move, but wanting to get back on it again five minutes later (can be addictive, until I get hurt :P ).

Despite enjoying the Cross Trainer due to it's enhanced comfort, I can't say I ever really have an urge to get back onto one. They're a tedious machine at the best of times, in my opinion.


So it's really personal preference.


EDIT: TechnoGym, not EducoGym.. I got confused. I think EducoGy, is an actual gym?