Ergometers Vs. Treadmills

Both the ergometer and treadmill have very specific uses in the fitness world. They are both used for aerobic exercise with the final goal of burning of calories and improving the user's cardiovascular health.

  1. Design

    • The treadmill has one main design: a conveyor belt apparatus and a readout screen that tracks time, pace and virtual distance traveled. Unlike a treadmill, on which the user stands, the ergometer is designed to be sat on. The ergometer also usually has a readout to track time, pace and virtual distance traveled.

    Usage

    • The treadmill moves the conveyor belt and the user jogs, runs or walks in place on the belt. The ergometer is a rowing machine that is a sit down device in which the user sits and rows using handle bars attached to a cable

    Areas of the Body Worked

    • The main muscle groups used when working out on a treadmill is the legs. Unless pairing the treadmill with hand weights, the user works her upper body very little. The ergometer focuses on the upper body as the rowing motion will works the user's biceps and chest area.