Is treadmill or elliptical better for belly fat?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 23, 2026
Both machines may help you get leaner overall, but you can't target specific areas. Plus, your diet accounts for over 80 percent of your results. The treadmill burns slightly more calories compared to the elliptical bike, but it also puts stress on your joints.
Is elliptical or treadmill better for weight loss?
According to a study done by the Medical College of Wisconsin, an individual burns 705 to 866 calories while jogging on a treadmill, depending on the individual, speed and incline. In comparison, according to Health Status, one hour of work on an elliptical will burn 773 calories.
Do ellipticals help lose belly fat?
As a low-impact exercise option, the elliptical is perfect for those who hope to lose belly weight for the long term. Relative to other cardio options, you're far less likely to get injured – and the wide variety of incline and resistance settings can keep things challenging for years to come.
How long does it take to lose belly fat on elliptical?
Losing belly fat takes time, but it's nowhere near impossible. Plan to get some sort of cardio workout — on the elliptical or another cross-training method — most days of the week for 15 to 30 minutes a session.
What is the best exercise equipment to burn belly fat?
A rowing machine is a great choice for home exercise, as it works out your entire body—upper, lower, and core. Rowing machines are the way to go for burning belly fat efficiently but also continue on to build some real muscle.
32 related questions foundHow can I reduce my stomach fat?
19 Effective Tips to Lose Belly Fat (Backed by Science)
- Eat plenty of soluble fiber. ...
- Avoid foods that contain trans fats. ...
- Don't drink too much alcohol. ...
- Eat a high protein diet. ...
- Reduce your stress levels. ...
- Don't eat a lot of sugary foods. ...
- Do aerobic exercise (cardio) ...
- Cut back on carbs — especially refined carbs.
What machine burns the most fat?
The 5 most effective cardio machines for burning calories
- Treadmill. The staple of many gym routines, treadmills can be found at virtually any gym, and die-hard runners will often invest in a treadmill for their home. ...
- Rowing machine. MORE ON HEALTH & FITNESS. ...
- Indoor cycling. ...
- Stair climber. ...
- Elliptical.
Is elliptical or treadmill better?
A treadmill is probably a better tool to prepare you for running events. But even if running is your main aerobic fitness activity, cross-training with an elliptical machine or other low-impact exercise equipment can help keep you fresh and prevent overload injuries, including stress fractures.
Is elliptical better than walking?
But exercising on an elliptical typically burns more calories than walking. A 155-pound person can burn around 335 calories after 30 minutes of working out on the elliptical, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The same person burns only around 149 calories after 30 minutes of walking.
Is it OK to do the elliptical everyday?
You shouldn't get on the elliptical every morning — your body needs at least one rest day from exercise every seven to 10 days, according to the American Council on Exercise. If you're doing a hard workout on the elliptical every morning, as well as incorporating strength training, you run the risk of overtraining.
Is 30 minutes on the elliptical enough?
15-30 minutes on your elliptical machine per day is enough to maintain your wanted weight or even lose more.
What burns more calories elliptical or treadmill?
Ellipticals for Runners
You burn about half the amount of calories on an elliptical compared to what you can burn on a treadmill in the same amount of time, though, if you go by METs.
How much weight can you lose on an elliptical in a month?
If you bump up your time to one hour on elliptical five days a week and cut 500 calories from your diet, you will lose about 2 pounds per week. If you don't change your diet at all and just do the elliptical for one hour, five days a week, then you will lose about over 2 pound a week.
Is elliptical good for overweight?
Can the elliptical help with belly fat? Elliptical machines are designed for cardiovascular or aerobic workouts. Many people use the elliptical to increase their heart rate, burn calories, and lose body fat. While aerobic exercise can aid weight loss, it's not a magical cure for belly fat.
Is elliptical a waste of time?
Not only is it the most boring piece of equipment in the gym, it is also extremely ineffective. First off, the elliptical doesn't use a natural body motion to work your body. Workouts that use natural motions like running, bending, or jumping are much more effective at toning muscles.
Which equipment is best for weight loss at home?
Our List of the Best Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss:
- Jump Ropes.
- Treadmills (with incline)
- Kickboxing.
- Stationary Bicycle.
- Elliptical.
- Kettlebells.
- Rowing Machine.
- Stair Stepper.
How can I reduce my tummy in 7 days?
Additionally, check out these tips for how to burn belly fat in less than a week.
- Include aerobic exercises in your daily routine. ...
- Reduce refined carbs. ...
- Add fatty fish to your diet. ...
- Start the day with a high protein breakfast. ...
- Drink enough water. ...
- Reduce your salt intake. ...
- Consume soluble fiber.
What causes a lower belly pooch?
Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it.
Can I lose weight by just doing the elliptical?
Working out on an elliptical machine can help with burning a significant number of calories. For a person who weighs 125 pounds, working out on an elliptical for just one half hour burns 270 calories. For a person who weighs 155 pounds, this same workout will burn 335 pounds.
Why do I get so tired on the elliptical?
Fatigue in your legs as the result of running -- or a running-like motion when using an elliptical machine -- occurs when your leg muscles cannot contract properly anymore. Your legs might feel heavy and experience pain or cramps.
Do ellipticals slim thighs?
While the elliptical on high resistance can build up your legs, it's more likely that you'll slim your thighs down. That's because the elliptical is a fantastic way to burn more calories and shed body fat – which means getting slimmer all over.
Why is the elliptical harder than the treadmill?
With an elliptical, you can work the muscles in your arms, shoulders, back, and chest, as well as the muscles in your lower body. By reversing direction, an elliptical also helps you to isolate specific muscles, which is harder to do with a treadmill.
Is the elliptical a full body workout?
The elliptical is a mainstay in the gym for good reason: it's easy on the joints and provides a great cardio and total-body workout. The elliptical is a mainstay in the gym for good reason: it's easy on the joints and provides a great cardio and total-body workout.
How long should you go on a treadmill to lose weight?
Ideally one should walk 300 minutes a week on the treadmill for extensive health benefits, including weight loss. One can reach this goal by walking 43 to 44 minutes each day. This will help your burn 1 kilo in a week. But if you have just embarked on the weight loss journey then start with 20 minutes a day.