What Is A Good Treadmill Workout?

A good treadmill workout helps you burn calories and build your cardiovascular endurance. To make the most of your treadmill workout do not hold on to the side rails or front bar. Holding on to the side rails and front bar burns fewer calories, can compromise your posture and reduces the workout for your core muscles. Maximize the benefits of your treadmill workout by doing it for 30 minutes per day, five days a week. During moderately intense physical activity, you break a sweat but you are not so out of breath that you can't hold a conversation.

Warm Up And Cool Down

A good treadmill workout begins with a warmup and ends with cooling down. Warm up for five minutes at a slow pace of no more than 1.8 mph, take long strides during for the third minute and speed up to a pace of 2.5 to 3 mph for the final two minutes. At the end of your workout do a five-minute cooldown by reducing the speed to 2.5 to 3.5 mph for three minutes and then reduce your speed to 1.5 to 2.5 mph for two minutes.

Beginners

A good treadmill workout for beginners eases you into cardiovascular training, rather than discouraging you with exhaustion and sore muscles. Start by walking for 20 minutes at a pace of 3 to 4 mph with no incline. Increase your workout time by 10 minutes after the fourth and eighth weeks of your program. As you become stronger adjust the platform to an incline and gradually increase your speed.

Variety

A good treadmill workout offers variety to avoid becoming bored during your cardio. Experiment with different inclines and the pre-programmed workouts available on the machine. Interval training is another way to vary your workout. To use interval training on the treadmill, increase your speed for a few minutes, and then slow down to your normal pace. Repeat this sequence as often as you like during your treadmill session.

Considerations

To get a good treadmill workout maintain the proper position, use good posture and pay attention to your stride length. Always pay attention to your position on the treadmill. Do not allow yourself to drift to the back or sides of the belt, instead stay in the middle towards the front of the machine so you can reach the controls. When walking and running on the treadmill look forward, abdominal muscles contracted and your shoulders back.