There are lots of different machines designed with cardio training in mind. If you enter any commercial gym, you will find row after row of exercise bikes, commercial treadmills, rowing machines, and ellipticals, but which one should you choose?
In this article, we look at two very similar pieces of cardio equipment, TreadClimber vs treadmill. We are going to look at the benefits and disadvantages of each and put them head to head in several categories, such as weight loss and calorie-burning potential.
This should make it easier for you to choose which machine to use or which machine to buy if losing weight is the reason you are here.
Both of these machines are great at what they do, so don't get too hung up on the decision. The most important thing is that you are working on building that dream body, so well done you.
Treadmill Pros & Cons
Benefits
Drawbacks
TreadClimber Pros & Cons
Benefits
Drawbacks
TreadClimber Vs Treadmill: Head to Head
If you want a more in-depth look at both of these machines, we have reviewed them across a number of categories to help you with your research.
Burning Calories and Losing Weight
The treadmill is the OG of the cardio machines for a reason. If you can keep the energy up and the intensity on, you will be able to burn a massive number of calories in a single session.
This is dependent on your effort and energy levels during your workout; however, and if you have injuries or you are out of shape, you will struggle to clock those hardcore sessions on a treadmill. They do however have many other benefits for users.
When you have reached a certain level of fitness, you will be able to maximize your time by using the TreadClimber and its 14 minute or under workouts. In this 14 minute period, you will be able to burn a ridiculous amount of calories.
Head to head, or minute per minute, the TreadClimber burns more calories.
Winner: TreadClimber
Best For Beginners
Walking and running are both abilities that we already have nailed down, so they should both feel intuitive to use. This means that for a beginner, it will be easier to run or walk on a treadmill.
The TreadClimber is a lot more challenging to master with its climbing, stepping motion. This, paired with the short, intense 14 minute workouts, make it difficult for beginners but the perfect level up for experienced cardio enthusiasts.
Winner: Treadmill
Burning Belly Fat and Building Abs
Stubborn belly fat can be the bane of any gym goers life. It is hard to get rid of and cannot be spot-targeted. This means you cannot do a specific exercise to remove belly fat.
The only way to burn belly fat is to lower your overall body fat percentage and lose some weight. To do this, you will need to eat healthily and burn as many calories at the gym as possible.
Studies have shown that HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), paired with a healthy diet, is by far the quickest way to drop body fat and get those abs to emerge.
The TreadClimber and its short, intense workout style are much more suited to this kind of training and will be a better tool in the fight against body fat.
Winner: TreadClimber
Working Out With Injuries and Joint Pain
If you are coming back from an injury or have pre-existing conditions or joint problems, you will want to use the TreadClimber.
The TreadClimber is a lower impact form of exercise and will allow you to get your sweat on without aggravating your injuries further. Running, in general, places a lot more strain on the knees and body.
Winner: TreadClimber but see treadmills for poor knees in this guide.
Cardiovascular and Running Training
If you are in the gym to improve your cardio ability and running skills, not just lose weight, then the treadmill will be the better machine.
Treadmills are designed to replicate natural running and will give you a much more cushioned surface to train on compared to the road. This means that you can train for events like marathons or track races with a lower potential for injury.
Winner: Treadmill
Practicality for a Home Gym
Both of these machines take up a large footprint and will dominate any space that they are put in if the area is not large enough.
If you are looking for your own home gym, both machines will be equally difficult to install and use. TreadClimbers are pretty rare, so you may find it challenging to find one secondhand.
Cost
All cardio machines are pretty expensive, but when you are looking at a machine that you will be using for years, you don't want to skimp out on quality.
Low-quality treadmills, for example, will have less innovation in terms of cushioning and shock-proofing. This can lead to joint pain, shin splints, and other running-related injuries.
TreadClimbers are expensive, and because they are rarer, you will most likely have to buy one brand new, making them more costly than finding a high-quality secondhand treadmill.
The treadmill wins out here solely down to the fact that there are a lot more of them, and this means you have a better chance of finding an excellent secondhand model for a low price.
Winner: Treadmill
Toning Legs, Bums and Tums
If you are looking to lose a bit of weight around the lower body and want to tone up your legs and bum at the same time, then you will need to incorporate strength training with your cardio.
Both machines will give your lower body a good workout, so our advice would be to evaluate what shape you are in.
If you think you can handle a more hardcore workout, stick to the TreadClimber, the intuitive training programs that adapt alongside your routine are great for motivation. The TreadClimber utilizes a much more strength-orientated workout style, one that will give you a serious burn in the legs and bum.
If you are a little out of shape or more overweight than you would like, a gentle program on the treadmill is a great way to start regaining that fitness. You can slowly increase the intensity or swap to a TreadClimber once you are in good enough shape to handle the difficult workouts.
Winner: TreadClimber
image source: bowflex.com
Treadclimbers/Treadmills Vs Other Cardio Equipment
TreadClimbers and treadmills are both great machines that replicate running/walking, but there are lots of other great pieces of cardio equipment you could use to get in shape.
Rowing Machine
If you want your cardio workout to be more of a mix of endurance and strength training, take a look at a good rowing machine.
Rowing machines give you a really intense lower and upper body workout that will help you build muscle and core strength and lose weight at the same time. They are also great for HIIT and are very popular due to the fact you only need to spend 15-20 minutes on one to get a great workout.
Spin Bike
Many people prefer to use an exercise bike over a treadmill. Running on a treadmill requires you to carry your entire body weight as you work out, whereas, on an exercise or spin bike, you are seated down, carrying your body weight on the seat.
Ellipticals
Ellipticals are another great machine for those that want to get a lower impact cardio workout in. Using both your upper and lower body, you move in a fluid motion that doesn't put much impact at all on your joints.
This makes ellipticals one of the best machines for steady-state cardio over long sessions and also suitable for beginners and seniors.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is a TreadClimber the same as an incline treadmill?
Treadclimbers are more similar to stepping machines and cross trainers than they are to a treadmill. They replicate walking but do so in a totally different way. An incline treadmill is much more similar to a traditional treadmill; they simply incline a lot more.
Bowflex Treadclimber or Treadmill; which is better?
If you need a lower impact workout, the Bowflex Treadclimber is a great option but for the majority of people. They have a lot of innovation onboard, and the workout programming, the Bowflex JRNY, makes it easy to stick to your goals.
Is a Nordictrack treadmill better than the Bowflex Treadclimber?
Nordictrack treadmills are some of the best on the market, as are Bowflex Treadclimbers. The best choice will be the machine that suits your needs better between the TreadClimber and the treadmill.
Conclusion
No matter what you choose, both of these machines are excellent at burning calories and building fitness levels.
For experienced gym users and people who want to get the maximum reward for their blood, sweat, and tears, get a TreadClimber.
Last Updated on January 25, 2023
