Both will give you a great cardio workout, and both can be found in gyms all over the world — so what exactly is the difference between treadmills and elliptical exercise machines?

More importantly, which one is right for you?
Here’s all the information you need to make an informed decision:

1. Elliptical exercise machines are more fluid

If you’ve got ankle, knee, or back issues, every “thud” you take on a treadmill can feel like agony. Luckily, you can work out similar groups of muscles in a less jarring way on elliptical machines like the Elliptical 1200 E!

Instead of lifting your feet up and down and going “thud”, you’ll glide on an elliptical. That makes it the perfect choice for people with arthritis, joint problems, or old injuries.

2. Treadmills are better for marathon training

Gearing up for that big race — but Mother Nature won’t always let you run outside? If you don’t want to fall behind in your training regimen, you’ll need a good treadmill!

Since machines like the Treadmill Power 1080 offer a more traditional running workout than their elliptical counterparts, they’re better for race training. After all, you won’t be gliding during your marathon or 5K! Instead, you need a machine that’s as similar to race conditions as possible.

3. Elliptical exercise machines offer a full-body workout

If you hate trying to find the time to run on the treadmill and then go work out your arms, you’ll love an elliptical! That’s because these machines can come with special arm levers. In fact, the levers on the Elliptical 1200 E will work out your arms and your chest. That way, you can work out your entire body all at once!

4. Elliptical exercise machines let you go forwards or backwards

An elliptical machine gives you more options than a treadmill does. One of the biggest options is the ability to glide forwards or backwards. That way, you can work out different groups of muscles, depending on which way you’re going. It’s the ultimate in variety — and a great way to prevent yourself from getting bored!

5. Treadmills force you to keep up

When you’re working out on the Treadmill Power 1080, you’ve got to keep up with the motor — meaning you can’t slack off. With ellipticals, on the other hand, you set the pace — so if you start to get tired, you’ll start to slow down. If you don’t want to give yourself that luxury, get a treadmill.

No matter what kind of work out equipment is right for you, Fit Desire has it. Check out their selection today!