Is a treadmill going to help you hit your weight loss targets this year, or is it an elliptical trainer that’s going to deliver your dream body? If you’ve been asking yourself this question, the truth is both machines are great, but they offer different functions, and the right one will depend on your body and what is going to get you and keep you motivated.

If you’re looking for quick answers, the fitness team at SOLE Fitness has weighed in on this question in a fitness guide that breaks down the main differences between these two popular types of home fitness machines.

Treadmill vs Elliptical for Cardio & Fat Loss: Choosing the Best Equipment for Your Fitness Goals

If you are in the position of looking to buy a top-quality machine for your home gym, it is most likely because you have a definite fitness goal in mind, whether you want to tone your body, reach a healthier weight, or improve your cardiovascular health.

So, before you take the plunge and purchase your new piece of gym equipment, you should know the main advantages and disadvantages of each machine type for cardio boosting and calorie-burning workouts.

Take Off At High Speed On Your New Treadmill

If you are ready and able to go at full intensity, a treadmill could be the better choice, as running on a treadmill at a high intensity can burn up to 606 calories per hour, while a comparable workout on an elliptical burns roughly 365 calories.

To get the best out of a treadmill workout, you should look for a high-quality, durable, and advanced model like those by SOLE Fitness, which offer a fast top speed and a large incline and decline range. It is also a good idea to get a treadmill with pre-programmed workouts, so you can vary your training, stay motivated, and target different fitness goals effectively.

You should also opt for a smart machine that offers sophisticated heart rate monitoring for both safe and effective, targeted calorie-burning workouts, and that comes with a cushion deck to minimize the impact of these longer and higher intensity workouts on your joints.

Cruise With Comfort On A Quality Elliptical

Alternatively, if you need a more low impact workout and you want to tone your whole body, including your abs and arms, while you work towards your cardio and weight loss goals, an elliptical could be perfect.

In order to get the best overall body toning and slimming results, you should look for a machine with a great range of resistance levels, an adjustable stride length and pedal setup for more comfortable workouts, reverse motion capability, and a large variety of pre-programmed workouts.

If you want to know whether a treadmill or an elliptical will help you get in your best home fitness stride, SOLE Fitness is here to help.