Treadmill vs Elliptical
 

I was wondering if anyone has a compare/contrast advice on a Treadmill vs and Eliliptical trainer. I have a treadmill but I can barely walk 1/2 mile. My foot drop is pretty severe and usually what makes me stop. When it gets so bad I'm in danger of falling I stop. I've been thinking about getting an Elliptical trainer instead and wondering if there's someone out there that has sever foot drop/drag who gets a longer/better work out on an Elliptical instead of a treadmill?

Thanks

Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Treadmills mostly work the hip flexors, knee extensors (quads) and dorsi flexors of the ankle because the task is to get the leg that is back, forward before it goes off the mat. Thus it is not equivalent to walking on the ground, where the task is to extend the hip while the foot is planted to propel the body forward. That works the hip extensors, knee flexors and plantar extensors of the ankle.
Having foot drop where there is a problem with dorsi flexion might make using a treadmill difficult and potentially dangerous.

Elliptical trainers work both the the hip flexors & extensors, quads and calf muscles because the task is to push downward on the leg that is up. Elliptical trainers also stabilize the lower leg and foot, so actually lifting it off of the machine is not necessary as it is on a treadmill. Thus an elliptical trainer might be best for those with foot drop.

Both machines also work the trunk, so the abdominals and back, as well as the upper body if one uses the arm attachments.

You also might try a cross country ski machine, which works all of the main prime movers of the lower and upper body, as well as the trunk. It also doesn't require lifting of the foot off of the machine, while providing a fairly full range of motion to the foot.

With love, Erika

Great explanation of what part of the body each machine works, Erika.

I prefer an elliptical. I have arthritis, and running on a treadmill or a track causes pain. The elliptical is not as impactful, for lack of a better term. I get a good workout from it, and I pay attention to my heart rate to make sure I am getting a good aerobic workout for the time:)

Thank you Erika,

What an incredible explanation. Space is and issue so a cross country ski machine is not possible in my space. I've been thinking about a compact Elliptical for a very long time and after I was finally dx 5 weeks ago. I realized my treadmill workout is only going to get harder and shorter. So thank you you've helped me make up my mind.

Hello ker0pi,

I have used both a treadmill and an Elliptical. My personal preference is the Elliptical.

I used a treadmill for quite a few years and then I got hurt on it.

I was already on it and doing well. I decided to increase my speed which I had done many times before.

Unfortunately, this time I had a MS moment better know as a cognitive glitch. Instead of pushing the up arrow which is a slight increase I pushed the number 6. It was faster than I am capable of doing, I was literally at a run and I don't run :eek:.

I was hanging on for dear life trying not to land face first on the belt. I finally let go with one hand to hit the emergency key which had too long of a string. Since I was only using my right hand to try and remain on the treadmill at such a fast speed (for me) I ended up with a partial tear of the right rotator cuff.

Once healed I tried the treadmill again :eek: I found my leg would lock up which made using the treadmill unsafe.

With the Elliptical I have control if it will move or stop. Much safer and I enjoy it.

There are cross country ski machines that fold down and then fit under a bed.

With ellipticals it is important to do some exercises that fully extend the knee, because most of the ellipticals don't make you do that and so they don't work the inner quadriceps (vastus medialis). T
That muscle is used to extend the knee for the last 15 degrees and keeping it strong will help to support the medial collateral ligament (MCL) as well as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); which are the two most often injured.

Self resisted isometrics are good. Just cross one foot over the other at the ankle and using the one on the top to offer resistance to the one on the bottom, contract the one on the bottom in full knee extension. Hold for three seconds and relax for two, then repeat.
That method can also be used for active exercise. To do that just allow the knees to bend and straighten fully, as you resist the legs against each other.

With love, Erika

I have an elliptical machine and it works great but I need to remember to start very slowly to warm up. If I don't, my muscles burn almost immediately and I will certainly have leg cramps soon after working out.

When I walk I can injure myself easily which might be similar to a treadmill. I have leg and spine weakness and exercise increases my stability and strength.