If you enjoy running as a way of keeping fit but do not like the idea of running around busy streets and dodging traffic then you may have thought of buying a treadmill machine or an elliptical trainer. It is worth looking into the costs and benefits of both systems before deciding which is the best for your health and fitness needs. Of course suitability may not be the only criteria, there may also be a price consideration. Both have benefits and disadvantages so when considering elliptical trainers vs treadmills you should make sure that you have looked at all the possibilities and practicalities of both options.

When you start looking at the benefits of elliptical trainers vs treadmills it is a good idea to make sure that you are clear on what each machine can and cannot do for you. Treadmills are really nothing more then an indoor running machine. Although they can have other features such as monitoring the heart rate, which can make them very useful, they are still quite limited. Elliptical trainers on the other hand, provide more of a well-rounded workout. They also have the advantage of allowing you to exercise without any great impact on the knees as the feet remain on the foot beds at all times.

Although there are many benefits to elliptical trainers vs treadmills many people still prefer the basic exercise of running and do not want anything more complicated or expensive. And for those who want a straightforward, simple and of course a more inexpensive option, a treadmill could be the ideal solution. Treadmills are much cheaper in price when compared to elliptical trainers and if you do not really want the extra features may be perfectly satisfactory for your health and fitness desires.

When weighing the different benefits of elliptical trainers vs treadmills it is a good idea to write down the advantages and cost implications of both systems. This can make it much easier for you to decide which is the best solution for you and which exercise machine is likely to deliver the health and fitness benefits that you want at the price you're most comfortable with paying. Although elliptical trainers have many benefits over treadmills they are only worth the extra expense if you really want and more importantly, plan to use all of the extra features that come with purchasing an elliptical cross trainer. For a simple straightforward exercise machine to replace outdoor running treadmills are quite adequate but if you want a more extensive workout then an elliptical trainer may be the best option for you.