Whether you're working out at a gym, a fitness club or at home, treadmill training is convenient. It's easy to keep track of your progress, and it also offers health benefits. For example, people who spend 30 minutes of walking or running on a treadmill at least five days a week may experience a reduced risk of various cardiovascular diseases, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Indoor Training
Unlike outdoor tracks, parks and roads, running or walking on an indoor treadmill is convenient during any type of weather. This may help you keep a more consistent and regular exercise routine since you can run or walk even if it's snowing or raining. Using a treadmill also can reduce the risks associated with training outdoors--you won't have to watch out for traffic and criminals.
Padded Joint Protection
Most treadmill models offer a padded running surface. This may stress your joints less than running or walking on asphalt, packed dirt or sidewalks. Such padding can help protect your joints and reduce your chances of long-term injury risks.
Customization
A treadmill lets you customize your workout by changing your speed or modifying your running grade with the push of a button. You can quickly make your workout more or less intense, depending on your needs. For example, increasing the tilt of your treadmill's track by 2 to 6 percent can simulate hills and make your run more difficult without forcing you to actually find a hill, according to "Women's Running Magazine."
Multitasking
Multitask while running or walking on a treadmill. Watch television, read a book, flip through a magazine or study for a test. If you work out at a gym or fitness center, go with a friend and choose side-by-side treadmills. This may make exercise more enjoyable while making the time go by faster. It also can help you improve your productivity.
Weight Reduction
Using a treadmill can help you warm up for other physical activities, provide a workout for your upper body as well as your legs, and it can enhance your cardiovascular health levels, according to Austin Community College. It also can help you achieve your weight loss or weight maintenance goals. Typically, burning more calories than you consume will help you lose weight. If you're a 154-pound male and you set your treadmill at a speed of 5 miles per hour for 30 minutes, you'll burn about 295 calories, according to Fitness.gov. If you weigh less, you'll burn less calories, and you'll burn more calories if you weigh more.
Exercise Monitoring
Treadmills let you set a specific walking or running speed, so you don't need extra gadgets to monitor the distance and speed you've run. Some treadmill models also may incorporate additional tools to help you monitor your fitness levels, including heart rate monitors.
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