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When you’re building your home gym, the big question always comes up, “Should I get a treadmill or an elliptical?” Both can provide intense workouts but serve different purposes. Avid runners or those trying to get into running should go for the treadmill. But, if you’re looking for a workout that works everything from your arms to your glutes to your legs, then you might want to think about investing in an elliptical. While a treadmill is powered by a moving conveyor belt, you need to use force from your own body to move the pedals and handles of an elliptical. Combining that with the ability to increase resistance (and possibly incline) can make an elliptical workout a tough one.
What to Know Before Buying An Elliptical
Space: Ellipticals are usually the largest piece of equipment you can have in your home gym, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some more compact options. Typically, those without moving handles take up less space but you’re also sacrificing working out your arms. If you’re looking to find a way to move throughout the day but don’t necessarily want to do a full-blown workout, you can invest in a desk elliptical — a small piece of equipment with foot pedals that slides under your desk.
Workout Guidance: Do you like to do your workout with no distractions? Or, would you prefer a built-in screen with guided workouts to motivate you? There’s no wrong answer, but if you need a little push to help you with your elliptical workouts, you might want to look into shelling out the extra cash for an elliptical that comes with exercise programs. Some guides are fancier than others, but at the bare minimum, you’ll have presets for fat burning, muscle toning and more.
Resistance: Once your body gets used to the arm and leg movements of an elliptical, it’s going to be ready for more of a challenge. The key thing that makes an elliptical different from a treadmill is that most have different resistance levels to help boost a workout. Before you make your purchase, check out if your elliptical gives you the option to change resistance and even incline. This way, you know you’ll constantly be challenged when exercising and your body will never get bored.
