Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams
Dear Fun and Fit: Quick workout question for you. I am starting training to do a half marathon in 6 months and I’m wondering how to solve the age old question–treadmill or elliptical machine? I can do a mile faster on the elliptical but feel like I fatigue faster on the treadmill. Which one will get me best prepared for the half marathon? Thank you oh wise and great ones! Tina, Texas
Oh, so this is how they talk people into running half marathons!
Alexandra: Hi Tina, I remember you from one of our very first posts. Welcome back!
Kymberly: Do both activities, as our post on the “Best Cardio Workout” discusses. You want to be as conditioned as possible and all of one thing starts reducing the upward adaptation. “Why?” you ask. Lookee at our other post on adaptation and fitness progression. Both the elliptical and treadmill will boost your foundational, general, aerobic capacity. For specific training, you need to actually walk and run–on a track, outside, wherever you can. You are smart to start now for the gig in half a year.
A: I have a quick question for you…what are you doing during the other half of the marathon? Anyway, our colleague Jason Karp is a specialist in running, so here’s one of his many articles that will help you prep for the race. It’s a bit technical, but you are very smart. And since all that running will make you even smarter, maybe you should read it while on your beloved elliptical. Or treadmill. Or both – one foot on each.
A redhead who is not one of us doing a treadmill review.
K: Do you have any joint issues? If so, spend more time or any sore time on the elliptical which, cuts impact. Ultimately though, to perform best in an activity you need to do that activity, i.e. running. I’d suggest spending your initial two months on the treadmill and elliptical about half and half. And do some intervals to get your aerobic threshold up– not always steady state yet. Get on a cardio bike as well to reduce impact and joint stress as you increase miles and time. Spend months three and four moving among elliptical, treadmill, running, and power walking. By month five spend the majority of time actually running and on the treadmill; reduce the elliptical and walking. By late in months five and six, go on the elliptical only if your joints need a break or you need a mental break. Otherwise — outside with ya’ you running stud!
A: See that fit, trim redhead to the right? She’s happy because it’s her job to do treadmill reviews! So before you hop on that particular machine, check out the best treadmill reviews so you know you’re getting lemonade, not a lemon (although that machine looks more like a chili pepper)!
Readers: How do you train for half marathons? What about 2/3 or ¾ or 7/8 marathons?
Photo credits: Creative Commons
Disclosure: We were paid a fee to share the treadmill link with you!
Great article! I actually had this question before I bought my elliptical trainer and my treadmill. I was leary about buying a treadmill because I heard they are hard on your knees. However with the nordic track treadmill I purchased it has excellent cushioning, making long distance running on a treadmill easier. After my treadmill runs I will go out on the road and find my training working as my long distance times are better. I use my elliptical trainer for total body workout regimes for endurance. I love both machines in training for a marathon.