Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Which is Better for Your Knees

With the growing popularity of home fitness, choosing the right equipment can have a big impact on knee health. Among the options, the elliptical and treadmill are two of the most popular choices. Both offer unique benefits and serve different workout goals, but for people with bad knees, which is better? In this article, we’ll explore how each machine affects knee health and help you decide which one may be the best choice for you.

The Importance of Knee Health

The significance of knee health cannot be overstated. As the body's largest joint, the knee is needed for pretty much movement, according to an article in the National Library of Medicine. When participating in physical activities, particularly high-impact exercises, such as jogging or hard workouts, the knees are sensitive to strain and injury.

Some may ask: my knee pain is severe enough, why should I keep exercising? Wouldn’t it make my knee pain even worse? Surprisingly, exercise can actually be beneficial. According to Dr. Dayna Yorks, an instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, exercise could keep knee healthy and build muscle strength, which helps to stabilize the joint.

Now that we know exercise could do good to your knees, the next step is which workout should we choose? The elliptical or the treadmill? Let’s take a look at their benefits first.

Benefits of Ellipticals for Knee Health

Elliptical machines are low-impact, allowing your feet to stay in contact with the pedals throughout the workout. This continuous contact reduces the impact on your knees, making it a great option for people with bad knees, arthritis, or other joint issues.

The smooth, gliding motion of ellipticals is gentle on knee cartilage and connective tissues, which is especially beneficial for seniors or anyone recovering from a knee injury. Most ellipticals offer adjustable resistance and incline, allowing users to control the workout intensity. Lower resistance levels can provide a knee-friendly workout, while gradually increasing resistance helps strengthen the muscles around the knee without putting direct pressure on the joint.

Ellipticals also promote balanced muscle development in both the upper and lower body, engaging muscles like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Strengthening these muscles helps stabilize the knee joint, reducing the risk of injury. Plus, regular elliptical workouts support healthy weight management, which is essential for knee health, as excess weight can put extra stress on the joints. This helps answer the question, "Is elliptical good for knees?" — yes, it’s a gentle, effective option for maintaining knee health.

For those who enjoy high-impact activities like running, ellipticals provide a low-impact alternative for cross-training. Alternating between high-impact and low-impact exercises allows for cardiovascular benefits while giving the joints a break from intense impact. In summary, ellipticals offer an effective, knee-friendly cardio option for people looking to protect or improve knee health.

Benefits of Treadmills for Knee Health

Treadmills, when used correctly, can also be gentle on the knees. Unlike outdoor running, which can be tough on knee joints, most modern treadmills are designed with shock-absorbing features that reduce impact. This cushioning is beneficial for individuals prone to knee pain, offering a softer surface compared to concrete or asphalt. With the right settings, a treadmill can also be suitable for those with knee concerns.

Walking or running on a treadmill allows you to control speed and incline, so you can start at a comfortable pace and gradually increase intensity as your knee strength improves. For those who want to protect their knees, a brisk walk or light jog on a flat surface is a low-impact way to stay active. As you build strength, adding a slight incline can engage more muscles without overly stressing the knee joint, helping to strengthen muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.

Like ellipticals, treadmills also help with calorie burning and weight management, which can reduce knee strain. For people recovering from knee injuries, treadmills offer a controlled environment where they can adjust speed, duration, and incline to their comfort level.

Elliptical vs. Treadmill: Which is Better for Your Knees

On average, the elliptical is more friendly on your joints. However, depending on your specific fitness level, goals, and needs, the choice may vary:

Beginners

Elliptical: Ellipticals are usually easier for beginners. The low-impact nature helps build endurance without stressing the joints. Start with short sessions (15-20 minutes) and gradually increase the duration and resistance.

Treadmill: Treadmills are also beginner-friendly if you start with walking. Beginners should focus on a steady pace and proper form to avoid injury.

Rehabilitation and Joint Issues

Elliptical: For people with chronic joint problems or recovering from injuries, ellipticals are a good choice. Studies suggest that ellipticals are gentler on the knees and help people recover from joint injuries, which makes it one of the best exercise machines for arthritic knees. [1] For those who desire a safer workout, a mini elliptical machine, particularly the Tousains mini elliptical machine will be a better option. Unlike regular mini ellipticals, this equipment combines the function of an electric and magnetic elliptical, which allows you to adjust the speed or resistance. You can place your feet on the pedal and make the machine move itself. As your joints get better, you can use 7 resistance levels under passive mode to enhance your low-body muscle. This design makes this machine particularly suitable for those with bad knees.

Treadmill: It's important to select versions with good shock absorption. You should walk slowly and refrain from high-impact exercises like running until you have completely recovered. In addition, consult a healthcare expert before beginning.

Fitness Enthusiasts

Elliptical: For those looking to mix up their routine, ellipticals offer versatile workout options, including interval training and varied resistance levels. This can enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone without the wear and tear associated with high-impact workouts.

Treadmill: If you are someone who enjoys running, you might prefer treadmills, especially if you are training for races. Treadmills allow for specific pacing, which can be beneficial for endurance training. Utilizing interval training and varying incline settings can help improve overall performance.

Conclusion

To summarize, both ellipticals and treadmills offer great benefits for fitness and cardiovascular health, but their impact on knees is different. Ellipticals are ideal for those with knee pain, joint issues, or anyone seeking a low-impact workout that protects the knees. For an even gentler option, consider a mini elliptical machine.

On the other hand, treadmills with shock-absorbing features can be a good choice for weight loss, intense cardio, or running enthusiasts. However, if you have severe knee issues, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

If you’re looking for these machines, visit Tousains. They offer low-impact home fitness equipment, like mini ellipticals and treadmills, to enhance your health while protecting your knees. Check out Tousains. Choose the best equipment for your knee health and start your exercise today! 

References:

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0968016021000521