In today’s fitness and weight loss world, people are always looking for the best machine to deliver them the best workout and help them reach their weight goals, so we will take a look at the top two best sellers and see what a comparison of the treadmill vs. elliptical trainer yields and which will come out as the more suitable machine for weight loss.

Treadmills are more popular than ellipticals, but the sales for ellipticals is rising quicker than ever before. So, which machine would you pick if you are trying to lose weight and get fit? Which machine will meet your demands in the best way?

Treadmills have been in existence for over 10 years and are still ranked the most popular among both old and new fitness enthusiasts. It is an exercise machine where one can work out without the need for extra or special skills. You can adjust the speed and incline controls to match your desired workout intensity. The more expensive models have heart rate monitors and MP3 docks to make your exercise session safer and more fun. There are also a number of built-in programs which you can use depending on the kind of workout you’d like to have. If you’re doing fitness routines at home, space is not a problem as treadmills can be folded down and kept away. Treadmill workouts impact the ankles, lower back and knees minimally. In the end, you have a great machine that works the lower body as intensely as you want it to.

The elliptical trainer, on the other hand, is a relatively new fitness equipment but is fast growing in both popularity and sales among the same users of the treadmill. Instead of just offering a lower body workout, the elliptical offers a whole body workout, and yet users do not experience the impact of running. The elliptical concentrates on both the lower and upper body during use. The workout is a low impact one and is ideal for people with injured or weakened backs, knees, and ankles.

When looking at treadmills vs. elliptical trainers for weight loss, there are many factors to consider. With the treadmill, you are working out your entire body and this will of course, allow you to burn calories fast and therefore helps you lose weight. With treadmills, the focus is on brisk walking, jogging, and running, which, although more concentrated on the lower body, are also great forms of exercise for keeping fit and shedding off the pounds.

So if you are weighing the pros and cons of a treadmill vs. elliptical trainer for weight loss, it is important to keep the points mentioned above in mind. Some may opt for the high-intensity workout that serious running brings, while others may opt for the whole body and low-impact exercise that the elliptical can provide. The choice is ultimately yours to make.

It is very difficult to compare Sole F80 and Smooth 6.45, as there are fewer differences and more similarities between both the treadmills. Therefore, you will have a hard time in making that decision if you were to make a choice between Smooth 6.45 and Sole F80.

Specifications

The treadmills have the relatively the same basic facilities: speeds of up to 11 miles per hour, up to 15% incline level and 3.0 HP motors with continuous duty facility.

The Sole F80 is lighter, weighing in at 250 pounds, while the Smooth 6.45 weighs 265 pounds. Despite the small weight difference, stability is guaranteed from both machines even with a 350-pound runner using them. The Smooth model though. has a larger running area offering 20 by 60 inches, while the Sole model is restricted to an area of 20 by 55 inches.

Console and User Programs

Both machines have LED consoles useful for displaying the user’s important data which includes the time elapsed, speed, and the total distance covered. You also get the convenience of added programs that are either preset ot customized to fit your workout needs.

There are 10 built-in programs in the Sole F80: 2 are heart rate programs, 6 standard programs and the last 2 programs are user customizable programs. Smooth, on the other hand has 8 standard programs and 3 programs which are user customizable. You will get hand pulse grips for both machines but only sole has that extra feature because it comes with a wireless chest strap for monitoring the heart rate during the workout.

Added Characteristics

Wouldn’t your daily jog be more fun with some of your favorite tunes playing? This is not a problem for the Sole F80. Built-in speakers allow users to plug in an MP3 player or iPod to keep the tunes flowing through the entire workout. The Smooth 6.45 has no speaker system of its own but the Smooth 6.45M, its sister model which costs $100 more in price, is already equipped with speakers.

The Soles F80 also has the added facility of having the speed and incline controls on the armrest. This gives you the opportunity of making adjustments without breaking the continuity of the workout process.

Better Warranty And Price

While the two treadmills are priced a bit steep at their regular prices of $1,999 and $2,297 each, these two great value fitness machines are currently on sale at $1,499 each. They also hold some of the best warranties in the industry: lifetime warranty for frame and motor, 5-year warranty for electronic parts, and another 2 years on labor.

Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.45 – Getting the best one

Both the sole and the smooth treadmills have the capacity to keep up with your daily workout. However, if you would have me make the choice for the best, I’d go for the Smooth 6.45. Though Sole has some additional features that are absent in the 6.45, I would still prefer the larger running area of the Smooth model. Besides, Smooth 6.45 is really one of Smooth Fitness’ best treadmills.