Treadmill Benefits: The Rundown
Whether you make it the main event or a warm up to get your blood flowing, the treadmill is a staple piece of gym equipment that offers endless benefits to any workout.
Here at Fitkit UK, we’ve explored the benefits of treadmills to show you why it should be built into your exercise routine if it isn’t already!
Table of contents
- How to use a treadmill
- Benefits of using a treadmill
- Walking on a treadmill
- How to make treadmill workouts more efficient
- Common treadmill mistakes
How to use a treadmill
Used for walking, running or climbing, the treadmill is a straightforward machine that will compliment any session – no matter where you’re at with your fitness journey. Simply double knot those laces and go!
Whilst the modern treadmill boasts various bells and whistles, the basics remain the same: remember to select the appropriate pace, familiarise yourself with the settings and make use of the frame when needed.
At Fitkit UK, we offer a wide range of treadmill options for all fitness needs and budgets, housing big names such as Life Fitness and Precor. Take a look at our full collection of treadmills.
5 benefits of running on a treadmill
1. Convenience
Hitting the streets for a run outside is not for everyone. A treadmill provides a great way of raising your heart rate and working your lungs without having to step outside. Whether you choose to walk or run, the treadmill offers a consistent and convenient way to get your steps in, train for that 10K or improve your overall fitness – without the worry of the weather or what route to take.
2. Improves cardiovascular health
Running on a treadmill is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health and overall fitness. An aerobic workout, running on a treadmill will increase your breathing and your heart rate, helping strengthen your heart and lower high blood pressure too.
3. Reduced joint strain
Running on a treadmill puts a lot less pressure on your joints than the unpredictable terrain outside of your front door. With this in mind, whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned park runner, you may find the consistent surface provided by a treadmill to be a lot kinder to your knees, which is equally important in the moment as it is in the long run.
4. Muscle toning
Whilst muscle growth is not always what comes to mind when presented with the prospect of cardio, it is not something to be overlooked. As long as you are constantly challenging yourself and your limbs, you will be sure to reap the benefits in your quads, glutes and hamstrings later.
5. Easy to track progress
Today’s running machines offer a wide variety of options to make tracking your progress easier than ever before: Keep check of your heart rate, step count and calories burnt, and use this information to plan your next workout.
Being aware of your progress is the best way to ensure that you don’t stay put in one place (or setting!) for longer than you need to be, which is vital when making progress in your journey – whatever your goal may be.
Walking on a treadmill to lose weight
Whilst the treadmill offers multiple benefits, weight loss is by far one of the most popular reasons why people choose to incorporate it into their workout routine.
Proven to be more efficient for fat loss than most other home exercises, the treadmill is one of the most efficient ways to lose weight. You will not only use the muscle groups in your lower body, but your arms and core also – hitting multiple areas in one swift movement for the most effective outcome.
How to make your treadmill workouts more efficient
Adjust your incline
Adjusting the speed and gradient of your run is just one way to mix up your treadmill workouts and ensure your fitness doesn’t plateau. Increase your incline to experience the challenging slopes of the outdoors, select a lower speed setting to get your daily steps in, or mix up the two. The choice is yours!
However, the treadmill doesn’t just offer an indoor alternative to a flat paved terrain or the hilly tracks of a forest run.
HIIT training
High Intensity Interval Training is a great way to switch up your treadmill routine, keeping your mind engaged and your body consistently challenged: a combination that is sure to get you well on your way to achieving your goals.
It’s also proven that combining short periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of lower intensity or rest increases your metabolic rate and keeps your body in the fat-burning state for longer.
Common treadmill mistakes
As with any sporting activity, it’s important to ensure that you can walk before you can run.
Being aware of the most common treadmill mistakes will ensure that you not only have the best head start in your session, but will mean that you are at less risk of gaining an unwanted injury.
Avoidable injuries
Getting on the treadmill whilst it’s moving is one of the easiest ways to gain an unwanted injury – so always ensure that before you press start, you have warmed up correctly and you are in the right position to safely begin.
Incorrect footwear
It’s equally as important to ensure that you are wearing the correct shoes, as everyday trainers don’t provide the right support and can subject you to joint problems in the future.
Not knowing your limits
Finally, whilst it’s important to challenge yourself, remember to only go as fast as is comfortable for you. If you find that you aren’t able to maintain the correct posture or that you are leaning more forwards than upright, slow down…. it’s not a race (yet)!
Check out our full range of treadmills
If you’re ready to incorporate the treadmill into your fitness regime, be sure to browse the vast range of running machines available here at FitKit UK.
Our collection includes:
So, you’re bound to find the right option for you. Shop with us today and discover the benefits of running on a treadmill.
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