One to consdier: elliptical machines are a less expensive option than a treadmill so you could invest in one at home for when the weather's bad or you just don't want to head over to the Y.
They're comparable to a treadmill in that they provide a complete lower body workout. The best part is they are easy on the joints ... good news if you have old injuries or joint pain.
To reap the greatest benefits, choose an elliptical machine that inclines various levels. Some of them have a fixed based and handles that allow you to exercise your arms, but getting those leg muscles going is key (They are much larger than your arm muscles and therefore burn more calories when you work them.).
You can step up your elliptical workout by adjusting the resistance setting and/or your frequency of steps just as you would if interval training.
You can also change the incline setting every few minutes just by a notch, or, reverse the direction.
