Getting the Most Out of Your Treadmill Workout

By: Fred Waters

You know what makes exercising on a treadmill so effective in
losing weight and getting in shape - the ability to adjust the
incline. With the push of a button you can adjust the intensity
level of your workout to any degree.

If you live in a flatlander state like Illinois and you run or
walk outside, you're stuck at one level. With a treadmill you
can simulate running or walk on hills or mountains, and that is
where you start getting the heart beating and the calories
burning.

Breaking Out of the Exercise Rut

For those of us who exercise regularly, we tend to get into a
rut. And once you get stuck in a rut you reach a plateau. You
find that you are not losing any more weight, and you are not
getting in better shape. By changing up your routine and the
intensity of your workout you can reach new highs in your
personal fitness. That is why hill and interval training are
such popular programs on the treadmill. In fact, one of the
hottest trends in exercising and weigh loss is High Intensity
Interval Training (HIIT). This new form of aerobic
exercising manages to get the maximum results in less time. And
for us who struggle to find the time to exercise, this type of
workout is very attractive.

Treadmill Are Ideal for Interval Training

High Intensity Interval Training requires exercising at high
intensity levels for 1-3 minutes, and follow-up with a recovery
period that is approximately 2 to 3 times longer. HIIT can apply
whether you run or walk. It just is a matter of raising the
incline level and getting the heart beating faster. Treadmills
are ideal for aerobic workouts like High Intensity Interval
Training. You crank the treadmill up to a high incline for
several minutes then reduce the level and slow down to a walk or
slow jog. You can either use existing hill or interval programs
on the treadmill (most at least have hill training), or you can
manually control the workout to a level you feel comfortable
with.

The important point is get out of the rut. Experiment with
different speeds and incline levels. As you start getting
comfortable at a certain level for a certain period, increase
both the incline and the period of time. The benefits of
breaking out of the rut is burning more calories, getting in
better shape and breaking up the boredom of your exercise
routine.

If you plan to increase your level of exercising, make sure you
are physically in shape to handle the intensity. You may want to
check with your physician first, particularly if you are just
starting back into a fitness routine.

About the author:
Fred Waters worked in the treadmill industry for a number of
year and is author of the Treadmill
Ratings and Reviews site. Check out the latest reviews on
over 75 of the most popular treadmills, and get important buying
tips from the Treadmill Buyer's Guide.