Suspension Elliptical Trainer Vs. a Tread Climber

One way to vary your indoor, cardiovascular workouts is to use different exercise machines. The suspension elliptical trainers and the tread climbers are two aerobic workouts with different motions, benefits and adjustments. The calories burned on the two machines depends on your weight, how intense the exercise session and the model of the machine -- but you will burn calories, improve your heart-health and increase your endurance.

  1. Feel The Motion

    • When you first use an elliptical trainer, you may be surprised by the combination of movements you perform. The machine simulates cross-country skiing, stair climbing and walking as your legs push pedals around the shape of an ellipse. A tread climber resembles a treadmill that has been split in half down the center of the belt. Instead of one moving belt, the tread climber has two; one for each foot. You walk slightly uphill as the treads elevate to meet your feet when you swing your foot forward.

    Make An Impact

    • Both an elliptical and tread climber position you upright, so you have to support the weight of your body as you exercise. The exercises are considered low-impact, but the elliptical uses less impact than the tread climber. The reason for this is your feet do not lift off the elliptical pedals. They remain in place as you push the pedals around. On the tread climber, you lift your feet as you take each step, which increases the impact of the exercise.

    Back It Up

    • Most elliptical machines can be used in a forward or backward motion. For workout variety, push the pedals in reverse to challenge more of your glutes and hamstrings. The tread climber can only be used in a forward walking motion. Both machines develop your leg muscles including your quadriceps and calves. You adjust the resistance and incline on an elliptical trainer to increase the muscular challenge. On the tread climber, you adjust the speed, which typically does not go higher than 4.5 mph.

    Put Your Hands Up

    • One big difference between an elliptical and a tread climber is in the use of your arms. Many ellipticals have moveable handrails. You push and pull on the handrails to strengthen your biceps, triceps, upper-back and shoulders. This increases the muscle-toning and calorie-burning benefits of the exercise. The tread climber has stationary handrails. You hold onto the rails for balance purposes only, as your arms usually swing back and forth to match the motion of your feet.