Is elliptical better for your knees than treadmill?

[Noah Abrams]

It is said that in elliptical unlike the treadmill, you are not constantly hitting a hard surface. So it is better for your knees and other joints. What do you guys think? Thank you

 

[mike8675309]

Yes. Elliptical are no impact. treadmills are impact. You do reduce your calorie burn on an elliptical vs a treadmill, though not significantly.

 

[jtvang125]

Yes, there's less impact because your feet stays stationary on the platforms. But I find that they don't provide a natural running form because your feet are spread further apart due to the machine between them. This tends to force your knees inwards and can cause additional stress on them.

 

[Noah Abrams]

Appreciate the responses. That is a good point about the feet spread apart. I think biking is the best exercise. According to my chiropractor, the best is the recumbent bike. But that is so boring!

 

[Muse]

It is said that in elliptical unlike the treadmill, you are not constantly hitting a hard surface. So it is better for your knees and other joints. What do you guys think? Thank you

Makes sense to me, I only do elliptical. I have problem feet and my knees give me problems sometimes too. I used to run 30+ miles/week, but nowadays I bike and skate. My advice -- make sure your footwear are optimal for you, wear orthotics if appropriate, even custom orthotics if appropriate.

 

[skyking]

Treadmill is significantly better than hitting the road too. There's a lot of cushion in the deck.

 

[mike8675309]

Treadmill is significantly better than hitting the road too. There's a lot of cushion in the deck.

There is a lot of cushion in your feet. I use minimalist shoes or barefoot running and found that it took care of any knee pain I used to get when using standard running shoes. the ability to have your toes do some work, and forcing you to use a proper running stance (more mid to fore foot, no heal strikes) better supports your body and reduces impacts on your knees and hips.

 

[Muse]

There is a lot of cushion in your feet. I use minimalist shoes or barefoot running and found that it took care of any knee pain I used to get when using standard running shoes. the ability to have your toes do some work, and forcing you to use a proper running stance (more mid to fore foot, no heal strikes) better supports your body and reduces impacts on your knees and hips.

There are championship marathoners who run barefoot, it boggles my mind TBH. Another tip -- running on dirt, or probably way better, grass, is way easier on your body than tarmac or concrete.

 

[Zivic]

not all ellipticals are better for your knees. sure impact wise, they will be. but some put your legs/knees into unnatural range of motion. ive seen some that hyper extend them

 

[Noah Abrams]

not all ellipticals are better for your knees. sure impact wise, they will be. but some put your legs/knees into unnatural range of motion. ive seen some that hyper extend them

I've noticed at the ellipticals at the YMCA gym, that if you increase the incline higher, the leg motion becomes kind of weird and unnatural. I don't like that so I use it at very low incline value

 

[pauldun170]

There is a lot of cushion in your feet. I use minimalist shoes or barefoot running and found that it took care of any knee pain I used to get when using standard running shoes. the ability to have your toes do some work, and forcing you to use a proper running stance (more mid to fore foot, no heal strikes) better supports your body and reduces impacts on your knees and hips.

What I found was that the process of adapting to minimalist running resulted in strengthing some neglected muscles. The imbalances caused by weak muscles was the source of pain. Not the impact.
When I stopped running minimalist and switched to traditional running shoes, some of the imbalances came back after a few years and I ended up with occasional instances of post run pain after long runs.
At first I thought it was just age and weight gain but after some work it looks like it was muscular and posture related.
It did take a slow easy ramp up with minimalist shoes but i felt it was worth the stench