People use the treadmill for weight loss in their homes and in fitness clubs around the world. Treadmills are among the most widely used pieces of exercise equipment because they are safe, are widely available and offer a controlled workout environment. Most treadmills have workout options available tailored to develop speed, strength and endurance along with weight loss. The exercises most effective for weight loss fall into one of three categories: walking, distance running or interval training.
Walking
Although most people you will see in gyms using treadmills will be jogging or running, walking is also a way for people to reach their weight-loss goals. For those who may be unable to run due to age, joint pain or an injury, walking will burn calories with minimal impact on bones and muscles as well as minimal risk of an injury. Since your heart rate will not enter an aerobic or anaerobic rate, you will have to walk for a longer period of time than jogging or running to burn a significant amount of calories. Although walking is usually thought of as a normal daily activity, 30 to 60 minutes of brisk walking should not be underestimated as a weight-loss exercise.
Distance Running
The most popular treadmill exercise for weight loss because it focuses on aerobic exercise and burns the highest number of calories during the workout. Unlike a sprint, which even great athletes can only maintain for a minute or two, a run of two miles or more will force you to run or jog at a pace that is challenging for an extended period of time.
Interval Training
A series of short sprints or burst of running separated with cool-down periods of jogging or walking. The intensity of interval-training regiments is determined by the length and speed of your sprints along with the recovery time allotted as well as the optional use of an incline on your treadmill. Interval training is most effective as a weight-loss exercise because the periods of intensity can trigger an anaerobic metabolism, which burns calories for hours after the workout is over. Although interval training may be your choice if you have aggressive weight-loss goals, remember that due to the periods of intense activity and advanced heart rate, this style of training may not be safe for older people, for those with heart trouble or for people recovering from a recent injury.
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