The convenience of treadmill workouts makes it popular for weight loss and staying in shape. It is readily accessible. You don't have to drive to the gym or wait for good weather. You can safely run at any time of day or night. Additionally, many models fold away for easy storage.
However, despite their many advantages, many people think of treadmill workouts as an inferior option to running compared to the open road. You might not like them, but treadmills provide a great option for maintaining fitness: The soft belt is easier on joints than concrete or pavement. Running on a treadmill instead of on harder surfaces like pavement decreases your odds of a stress fracture by about 48 percent, one study revealed.
Your treadmill workouts always accomplish the preferred distance and you cannot cheat on speed. I recommend you take a closer look at treadmill workouts. Only then will you see the special advantages of this form of exercise. A few methods to get the best from your workout sessions on your treadmill:
Establish the Scene for Your Treadmill Workouts.
Put on a good pair of running shoes and workout clothes that are comfortable for the room but are light enough that you won't overheat once you begin to workout. Put a bottle of your favorite workout beverage in the cup holder. And, put on some good running tunes.
Remember to drink plenty of water during your workout so you won't become dehydrated. Use a water bottle that is small enough to hold with one hand. And also, always keep the water or drink as cool as possible. Keep a towel around to keep your face, hands, and head as dry as possible.
If earbuds or headphones bother you, running on the treadmill instead of the road has a big advantage, as you can use your regular home stereo. Pick a mix that has slower songs for your warm-up periods and slower intervals and faster, upbeat tracks for higher speeds. Music can help us prolong our treadmill workouts and get to higher intensities. So, it makes sense to optimize your use of this tool. If a television is nearby, you can watch your favorite show or movie as you workout.
Incorporate Interval Training Into Your Treadmill Workouts
When using a treadmill, you control the landscape. Spend some time utilizing a reasonable slope as well as some using a greater one. Switch between high speed and slow tempos to increase endurance as well as shed even more calories. You can additionally create larger and stronger muscles by adding walking lunges and holding small weights in your hands while working out. This form of interval training can easily change your treadmill workouts from being dull and difficult to more fascinating workouts that can be completed in a shorter period of time.
Choose Longer Treadmill Workouts.
Your normal running pace will feel a bit easier and slower on the treadmill than on the open road. For instance, you may hit a heart rate of 150 beats per minute running an eight minute mile outdoors, but only about 140 beats per minute for the same workout on the treadmill. Compensate by spending a bit more time running to build your endurance. You'll burn lots of calories, too. Depending on your weight and level of fitness, a 30-minute treadmill workout can burn around 320 calories if you keep up that 8 minute mile pace. Up your treadmill workouts to 45 minutes and you can burn 480 calories.
Go Higher Not Faster.
As you improve your speed and strength on the treadmill, it can be tempting to increase the intensity of your workout by increasing the speed. Instead, take advantage of a feature that your treadmill has that running paths lack. Change the intensity by setting a steeper incline. This allows you to work different muscle groups while making your workout a little more difficult. There is also evidence that a slight incline on your treadmill can reduce the risk of injuries.
For all of these exercises, remember to jog slowly for 5 minutes to warm up and for your cool down. Stretching before and after your treadmill workouts is also a good idea.
The take home point is: Consider the benefits of your present workout devices as opposed to their disadvantages. By doing so, you will get additional satisfaction out of your weight loss training as well as better end results. Treadmills have one-of-a-kind advantages over other training resources. So, learn how to maximize your treadmill workouts.
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