treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
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treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
on the elliptical machine I can run 10 km (6.2 miles) in 58:30 = 9:30 per mile, and my pulse typically about 130.
on the treadmill I ran 1 miles in 13:30 with my pulse about 150. (I ran 1/4 mile or so, then walked 1/10th of a miles or so)
i thought I was SO fast when I was on the elliptical, but now that im on the treadmill, I know im NOT so fast.
Roughly, the treadmill is twice as hard as the elliptical - imho. Do u have the same experience?
on the treadmill I ran 1 miles in 13:30 with my pulse about 150. (I ran 1/4 mile or so, then walked 1/10th of a miles or so)
i thought I was SO fast when I was on the elliptical, but now that im on the treadmill, I know im NOT so fast.
Roughly, the treadmill is twice as hard as the elliptical - imho. Do u have the same experience?

- Stephen Johnson
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Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
@capybara:
Elliptical machines were designed to be a low-impact replacement for high-impact treadmills. Once people age past their 30s, high impact cardio becomes more and more a threat to their joints.
It's not surprising that treadmills are more physically demanding than ellipticals. But you can get a good cardio workout from either. If you're into cardio machines, it's best to vary the type to avoid overuse injuries. Even ellipticals can cause hip-flexor problems if they are overused
Elliptical machines were designed to be a low-impact replacement for high-impact treadmills. Once people age past their 30s, high impact cardio becomes more and more a threat to their joints.
It's not surprising that treadmills are more physically demanding than ellipticals. But you can get a good cardio workout from either. If you're into cardio machines, it's best to vary the type to avoid overuse injuries. Even ellipticals can cause hip-flexor problems if they are overused
Thanks TimD
Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Hello!capybara wrote:on the elliptical machine I can run 10 km (6.2 miles) in 58:30 = 9:30 per mile, and my pulse typically about 130.
on the treadmill I ran 1 miles in 13:30 with my pulse about 150. (I ran 1/4 mile or so, then walked 1/10th of a miles or so)
i thought I was SO fast when I was on the elliptical, but now that im on the treadmill, I know im NOT so fast.
Roughly, the treadmill is twice as hard as the elliptical - imho. Do u have the same experience?
Treadmill is close chain exercise, elliptical is not also it matters what kind of running shoes u use and kind surface the treadmill have, there's a lot of factors could be unproper breathing also.
If u have more question feel free to ask me
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Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Close Chain ExercisePetrov wrote: Hello!
Treadmill is close chain exercise, elliptical is not
The elliptical is a Closed Chain Exercise!
The definition of close chain defined as a "weight bearing" movement...that is exactly what occurs when using an elliptical.
Open Chain Exercise
By definition, this I a movement that is NOT "weight bearing".
A bike is an example of a Open Chain Exercise.
As an Personal Trainer and Exercise Specialist, you should know the difference between Closed and Open Chain Exercises.If u have more question feel free to ask me
Kenny Croxdale
Thanks TimD.
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Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Apples and Orangescapybara wrote:on the elliptical machine I can run 10 km (6.2 miles) in 58:30 = 9:30 per mile, and my pulse typically about 130.
on the treadmill I ran 1 miles in 13:30 with my pulse about 150. (I ran 1/4 mile or so, then walked 1/10th of a miles or so)
i thought I was SO fast when I was on the elliptical, but now that im on the treadmill, I know im NOT so fast.
Roughly, the treadmill is twice as hard as the elliptical - imho. Do u have the same experience?
You cannot compare the two, as you have.
As Stephen noted, the elliptical is much kinder on your joints.
Smith Machine Bench Press Vs Free Weight Bench Press
Comparing the treadmill and elliptical is like lifting more on a Smith Machine and the wondering why you cannot bench the same amount with free weights.
They are not the same.
Running Impact Forces
Running produces impact forces of between 3 -5 times you body weight.
Thus, a 150 lb person would produce 450 to 750 lbs of force with each foot strike.
Elliptical Impact Forces
I have not seen any data on the amount of impact force elliptical produce.
However, my guess is that the impact force is similar to walking.
Walking produces approximately 1.5 time you body weight.
Thus, a 150 lb person would produce around 225 lbs of impact force.
Going Ballistic
Ballistic means that a body or and object becomes airborne.
Running is a ballistic movement. To move forward you have to become airborne.
That means you have to produce enough eccentric force to stop, let's say, 450 lbs and then get airborne with a 150 lb body.
There is not ballistic movement with an elliptitical. With an elliptical, you need to produce (a guess) a eccentric force of 225 lbs to stop the downward movement.
Since an elliptical does not require a ballistic movement, very little effort is required to move the pedal forward compared to going ballistic while running
Heart Rate
The intensity of a movement drive your heart rate.
Higher Intensity = Higher Heart Rate
Lower Intensity = Lower Heart Rate
Treadmill Vs Elliptical
Both are good cardio pieces.
However, to increase your heart rate on an elliptical requires you:
1) Increase Resistance
2) Increase RPMs.
3) Increase Resistance and RPMs.
By doing so, you can drive your heart rate to 150 on an elliptical as you have on the treadmill.
Kenny Croxdale
Thanks TimD.
Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Kenny Croxdale wrote:Apples and Orangescapybara wrote:on the elliptical machine I can run 10 km (6.2 miles) in 58:30 = 9:30 per mile, and my pulse typically about 130.
on the treadmill I ran 1 miles in 13:30 with my pulse about 150. (I ran 1/4 mile or so, then walked 1/10th of a miles or so)
i thought I was SO fast when I was on the elliptical, but now that im on the treadmill, I know im NOT so fast.
Roughly, the treadmill is twice as hard as the elliptical - imho. Do u have the same experience?
You cannot compare the two, as you have.
As Stephen noted, the elliptical is much kinder on your joints.
Smith Machine Bench Press Vs Free Weight Bench Press
Comparing the treadmill and elliptical is like lifting more on a Smith Machine and the wondering why you cannot bench the same amount with free weights.
They are not the same.
Running Impact Forces
Running produces impact forces of between 3 -5 times you body weight.
Thus, a 150 lb person would produce 450 to 750 lbs of force with each foot strike.
Elliptical Impact Forces
I have not seen any data on the amount of impact force elliptical produce.
However, my guess is that the impact force is similar to walking.
Walking produces approximately 1.5 time you body weight.
Thus, a 150 lb person would produce around 225 lbs of impact force.
Going Ballistic
Ballistic means that a body or and object becomes airborne.
Running is a ballistic movement. To move forward you have to become airborne.
That means you have to produce enough eccentric force to stop, let's say, 450 lbs and then get airborne with a 150 lb body.
There is not ballistic movement with an elliptitical. With an elliptical, you need to produce (a guess) a eccentric force of 225 lbs to stop the downward movement.
Since an elliptical does not require a ballistic movement, very little effort is required to move the pedal forward compared to going ballistic while running
Heart Rate
The intensity of a movement drive your heart rate.
Higher Intensity = Higher Heart Rate
Lower Intensity = Lower Heart Rate
Treadmill Vs Elliptical
Both are good cardio pieces.
However, to increase your heart rate on an elliptical requires you:
1) Increase Resistance
2) Increase RPMs.
3) Increase Resistance and RPMs.
By doing so, you can drive your heart rate to 150 on an elliptical as you have on the treadmill.
Kenny Croxdale
Hahahaha this is the funniest thing i every see so far tonight thank you
did you know what is close chain exercise?
- Stephen Johnson
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Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Petrov wrote:did you know what is close chain exercise?
Kenny already gave the definition. Funny that you responded to his second comment, rather the first one where he called you out.Kenny Croxdale wrote:The definition of close chain defined as a "weight bearing" movement...that is exactly what occurs when using an elliptical.
Thanks TimD
Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
From Wiki...
Closed kinetic chain exercises or closed chain exercises (CKC) are physical exercises performed where the hand (for arm movement) or foot (for leg movement) is fixed in space and cannot move. The extremity remains in constant contact with the immobile surface, usually the ground or the base of a machine.
Seems just what Kenny was writing about.
Also...
We have discussions here, not poke fun sessions... unless it's a deliberate post to do nothing but poke fun. Please state your reason for disagreement and back it up with information instead of laughing at another poster and challenging him/her to a pecker measuring contest.
Closed kinetic chain exercises or closed chain exercises (CKC) are physical exercises performed where the hand (for arm movement) or foot (for leg movement) is fixed in space and cannot move. The extremity remains in constant contact with the immobile surface, usually the ground or the base of a machine.
Seems just what Kenny was writing about.
Also...
We have discussions here, not poke fun sessions... unless it's a deliberate post to do nothing but poke fun. Please state your reason for disagreement and back it up with information instead of laughing at another poster and challenging him/her to a pecker measuring contest.

Re: treadmill is twice as hard as elliptical !
Either engage in useful discussion and debate, or bow out. Thanks.Petrov wrote:Hahahaha this is the funniest thing i every see so far tonight thank you
did you know what is close chain exercise?
Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.--Francis Chan