Treadmill or Elliptical? How to Decide What’s Your Best Workout

While treadmills and ellipticals offer many of the same exercise benefits, your goals and physical condition should guide you. Here are several considerations that will help you decide which machine is best for you.

The benefits

Both devices help you improve cardiovascular health, build endurance and lose weight. They also provide an indoor workout option when the weather prevents you from getting outdoors. Both are readily available in gyms, recreation centers and hotels, and some models are affordable enough for home use.

The treadmill is better for building bone density. The impact of your feet while running or walking helps stimulate bone growth, which is especially important if you have osteoporosis. The treadmill’s settings also allow you to vary your workout by walking, jogging, running or changing the incline. The treadmill requires little or no instruction, so people of all skill levels will find it easy to use.

Ellipticals reduce pressure on the joints compared with treadmills. The lack of impact is beneficial if you need to protect your hips, knees and/or ankles. It’s also easier to challenge yourself at a higher intensity. Joint protection is why many healthcare providers recommend ellipticals over treadmills when reintroducing exercise after injury or surgery. If you feel tingling in your feet while using the elliptical, which is a common complaint, you can try pedaling backward. If it persists, you may want t o consult a medical provider.

Potential drawbacks

Both machines, if not used properly, can lead to overuse injuries (which can happen with any repetitive physical activity and any exercise equipment). Proper footwear and body mechanics, as well as periodic, moderate use, will lessen the chance of injury.

Beginners may find getting used to the movement of an elliptical a bit awkward, while treadmill users must keep the right position and pace to stay in the middle of the belt and avoid tripping on the front or side panels — or falling off the back!

Tips for healthy exercise

Alternate between the two machines. The variety is appealing, and it can help minimize the risk of overuse injury.
Start with 10 minutes on either machine and build endurance by pushing both your time and intensity.
For cardiovascular health, aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity — Or roughly 30 minutes, five days a week. You should sustain the intensity for at least 10 minutes per workout to get the most benefit from your effort.
Check with your medical provider before starting an exercise routine.

SOURCE: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/03/treadmill-or-elliptical-how-to-decide-whats-your-best-workout/

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients:

Our patients, employees and family are our top priority at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

We ask you to not visit any of our locations if you have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing and possible shortness of breath.

Please cancel your appointment and re-schedule once you are feeling better and are no longer suffering with symptoms.

Only non-symptomatic patients will be seen. No exceptions.

Accompanying family members – including children – are asked to remain in the waiting area and will not be allowed to enter the exam rooms.

During this time of high concern regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are taking extra precautions to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and cleanliness. Please be advised that we are carefully following recommendations from both the CDC and WHO and are here to help guide you through this time if needed.

Some steps we are taking to keeping safe:

We know how important cleanliness is and always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. To further offer you peace of mind, we have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our office.

Rest assured that hand washing is strictly followed. Hand sanitizer is available to all staff and patients.

Additionally, if you have recently traveled to a country with high rates of the coronavirus or have been on a cruise, please reschedule your visit for at least 14 days from your return date. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule. At that time, a telehealth interface can be arranged if necessary.

Find up-to-date and accurate information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and feel free to reach out with questions.

- Your team at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

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To learn more about Long Island Spine Specialists – and to discover how we can relieve your pain and help you find an improved quality of life – please contact our office today and schedule a consultation.