Elliptical vs Treadmill: Calorie Comparison
Compare calorie burn between elliptical and treadmill workouts. Detailed analysis by intensity, incline, and body weight with recommendations.
Treadmill workouts typically burn 10 to 30 percent more calories than elliptical training at similar perceived effort. A 70 kg person burns approximately 490 calories per hour jogging on a treadmill versus 371 calories per hour on an elliptical at moderate intensity.
However, the best choice depends on your goals, fitness level, and physical considerations.
Calorie Comparison Chart (70 kg / 154 lbs)
| Activity | Calories Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Elliptical light | 280 kcal |
| Treadmill walking 3.5 mph | 280 kcal |
| Elliptical moderate | 371 kcal |
| Treadmill walking 4.0 mph | 350 kcal |
| Treadmill jogging 5.0 mph | 490 kcal |
| Elliptical vigorous | 630 kcal |
| Treadmill running 6.0 mph | 588 kcal |
| Treadmill running 7.0 mph | 679 kcal |
Why Treadmills Often Burn More
Impact and Weight Bearing
Running and walking require supporting and propelling your full body weight, increasing energy demand.
Natural Movement
Treadmill locomotion mirrors everyday movement patterns your body has optimized but still requires effort.
Less Mechanical Assistance
Ellipticals provide momentum and reduce the need to lift your feet, lowering energy expenditure.
When Elliptical Burns More
The elliptical can match or exceed treadmill burn when:
- Vigorous Intensity - High resistance elliptical (9.0 MET) equals moderate running
- Active Arms - Full arm engagement adds significant upper body work
- Incline Mode - Inclined ellipticals can reach 12.0 MET
- Walking Comparison - Elliptical beats treadmill walking at similar effort
Advantages of Elliptical
Joint Protection
- Reduces impact stress by 50 to 80 percent
- Ideal for knee, hip, or back issues
- Better for heavier individuals
- Suitable for injury recovery
Full Body Workout
- Engages upper and lower body simultaneously
- Works chest, back, and arm muscles
- Provides balance between muscle groups
Controlled Environment
- No trip hazards or balance concerns
- Consistent resistance patterns
- Easier to maintain specific intensity
Advantages of Treadmill
Higher Calorie Efficiency
- Burns more per minute at moderate effort
- Better for time-limited workouts
- More effective for quick calorie burn
Functional Training
- Develops real-world walking and running ability
- Improves running form and efficiency
- Better preparation for outdoor activities
Bone Density
- Weight bearing impact strengthens bones
- Important for osteoporosis prevention
- Benefits long-term skeletal health
Choosing Based on Goals
Choose Elliptical For:
- Joint issues or injury history
- Upper body muscle engagement
- Low impact endurance training
- Longer comfortable sessions
- Cross training variety
Choose Treadmill For:
- Maximum calorie burn per minute
- Running event preparation
- Bone health benefits
- Outdoor running simulation
- Speed and power development
Combining Both Machines
A balanced approach using both:
Weekly Example:
- Monday: Treadmill 30 minutes jogging
- Tuesday: Elliptical 40 minutes moderate
- Wednesday: Rest or strength training
- Thursday: Treadmill 25 minutes intervals
- Friday: Elliptical 45 minutes steady
- Weekend: Active recovery or outdoor activity
This provides variety, prevents overuse injuries, and optimizes different fitness benefits.
Impact on Weight Loss
Both machines support weight loss effectively when used consistently. Key factors:
- Total Weekly Calories - Matters more than machine choice
- Sustainability - Choose what you will actually do
- Injury Prevention - Healthy exercisers exercise more
- Dietary Alignment - Exercise supports calorie deficit
Related Calculators
- Elliptical Calorie Calculator - Calculate elliptical burn
- Treadmill Calorie Calculator - Calculate treadmill burn
- 30 Minute Elliptical Calories - Standard elliptical session