TreadClimbers vs Ellipticals

TreadClimbers vs. Ellipticals — Which trainer is more efficient? Which one has more added luxuries and electronics? Is one stronger in terms of performance? Which one is more affordable?

When you begin shopping for your first/next piece of exercise equipment you will have a variety of options including treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, home gyms and, of course, TreadClimbers. If you have narrowed the list to TreadClimbers and Ellipticals, or you would just like to compare the two, FitRated.com has provided the nuts and bolts of TreadClimbers vs. Ellipticals below…

Let’s start with the definitions:

Ellipticals: a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, walking or running without causing excessive pressure to joints.

TreadClimbers: a piece of exercise equipment providing 3-in-1 workout motion including the same effect of the treadmill with an additional StairClimber and elliptical operation.

Ellipticals have all but replaced StairClimbers, while TreadClimbers have built upon what ellipticals, and previously StairClimbers, were able to accomplish. The TreadClimber features a “3 in 1” workout experience meaning that you get the walking forward motion of the treadmill, stepping effect of the StairClimber and quiet, smooth operation of the elliptical. In addition to being a versatile piece of exercise equipment, TreadClimbers are actually guaranteed to be more efficient compared to treadmills with 2x the amount of calories being burnt in a 30 minute workout.

TreadClimbers vs. Ellipticals

Ellipticals and TreadClimbers are both applauded for their quiet, smooth performance. The operation on both trainers is crisp and very efficient. Both trainers also provide a low impact workout and are much easier on joints when compared to exercising outside on cement or even asphalt.

In terms of design, TreadClimbers and Ellipticals feature a similar frame and weigh about the same. They are both moderately portable and compact for storage.

The goal of both trainers is to burn calories and provide a one-of-a-kind cardiovascular activity. While ellipticals are fantastic at capturing the stair climbing, walking or running motions the TreadClimber is still more diverse with a revolutionary 3 in 1 workout motion.

Reputation

Treadmills continue to remain the stable of the home fitness market although ellipticals are progressively becoming more and more popular. The same will likely happen with TreadClimbers, but because they are relatively new not everyone has quite caught on. Consequently, you can definitely say that ellipticals are more reputable at the moment and since Bowflex and Nautilus are currently the only manufactures making TreadClimbers, ellipticals are a much more competitive market.

Electronics

TreadClimbers are definitely inferior to ellipticals when you compare electronics. For example, iPod/mp3 docks are becoming more and more common on ellipticals yet none of the TreadClimbers on the current 2011 market even have it as an option. If you are big into music, you will definitely miss the iPod dock as well as the built-in speakers. TreadClimbers do provide LED readouts similar to the LCD or LED display found on ellipticals with vital workouts statistics such as speed, time, calories burned, heart rate, etc monitored. The important wireless heart rate strap is also included with most TreadClimber models.

Price

What is more affordable — TreadClimbers or Ellipticals? It’s important to consider price with this economy and also a difficult question to answer because the elliptical industry is extensive. As a result, the Under $500 budget ellipticals are obviously cheaper compared to TreadClimbers, yet the well produced $1,000 to $1,500 ellipticals actually compare about the same to entry-level TreadClimbers like the Nautilus Mobia and Bowflex TC1000. Meanwhile, the sensational Bowflex TC5500 is much more costly with a price tag of $3,999. In short, most ellipticals are cheaper yet the commercial-grade models have nearly the same price tag as competitive TreadClimbers.

Verdict

Ellipticals have an outstanding reputation, offer more lines and can be more affordable when compared to TreadClimbers. However, we really like the revolutionary system of the TreadClimber and because of its low-impact, efficient performance, we think they are the future of the home fitness market.