The treadmill and elliptical both work on creating a desirable lower half from your hips down. Depending on the slope, both can work on your hamstrings, quads, calves and even your butt. The question is whether the treadmill or the elliptical is better for turning your flabby bottom into a firm, toned booty. Although both target your butt muscles, the elliptical wins.
Advantages of the Elliptical
Your butt gets more benefits from using the elliptical over the treadmill. The elliptical uses the same movement as when running, but puts little pressure on your back, knees and hips. This reduces the risk of fractures and injuries. The elliptical also has handles that move in sync with your legs. This helps work out your upper body, while also working on your lower half. The elliptical can stride in reverse, which tones your butt and legs more than striding forward. While this machine makes you feel like you aren't working yourself hard, you're actually working harder than you think. Your toned booty is on its way with every hip extension you make.
Advantages of the Treadmill
The treadmill has different advantages over the elliptical. You can easily go from walking to jogging and sprinting with the click of a button. Running takes a lot of effort that will burn calories faster than the elliptical. Both running and walking on the treadmill help strengthen your muscles and bones. The treadmill works on your quads, hips, stomach muscles, calves, shin muscles and butt. More of an emphasis is placed on creating your dream butt when you set your incline high.
Disadvantages of the Elliptical
Some elliptical machines aren't as advanced as others and can't incline. This won't let you work on your butt muscles as much as elliptical machines that have an incline or treadmills that offer both incline and speed adjustments. The elliptical doesn't help strengthen your muscles or bones because of the way it's designed. An elliptical has pedals lifted off the ground so your bones don't feel the impact of your workout.
Disadvantages of the Treadmill
There are more disadvantages of using a treadmill over an elliptical. If you don't stretch right or listen to how your body feels, running can put your muscles and joints at risk for fracture or injury. Normally, your body gets used to one running surface that works well with your joints. How well the surface of the treadmill you're on absorbs joint shock determines the damage to your body, if any. You might find a treadmill's incline to be uncomfortable and hard as opposed to the incline on an elliptical. Running on a treadmill too fast or high can be dangerous and cause you to fall if you're not used to the speed or how to use the machine.
