Elliptical pros
Easy on your joints
The elliptical is a low-impact machine. If it’s hard for you to tolerate the jarring motion of walking or running, an elliptical may be a good option.
Low-impact exercise typically puts less stress on your joints than high-impact exercise. This makes the elliptical a safer option if you have a musculoskeletal condition such as low-back pain, knee or hip pain, or other health conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis.
Low-impact exercise may sound like it isn’t strenuous, but it still provides a good aerobic workout. A 2017 study on aerobic exerciseTrusted Source found that a 24-week program of low-impact workouts improved the body composition, physical fitness, and cardiovascular fitness of the study participants.
Treadmill pros
Lots of control
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. StudiesTrusted Source show that HIIT workouts are effective for burning calories, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness in a short period of time.
