About Treadmill Exercises for Weight Loss

About Treadmill Exercises for Weight Loss
Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Luis Markovic

A treadmill is an exercise machine used for running or walking. Using a treadmill is a good cardiovascular workout in your home or at the gym. Treadmills are particularly helpful for people who can't get a good cardio workout outside or can't afford a gym membership. Gradual, healthy weight loss is possible with regular treadmill sessions.

Significance

Cardio workouts burn fat. Because a treadmill facilitates cardio workouts, it's a tool used for weight loss. Treadmills also have different speed settings, so you can start slow and work up to a more rigorous cardio workout. Treadmills have incline adjustments, so if you're unable to run for long distances, you can add resistance, which means more calories are burned, even if you're walking more slowly.

Types

There are two types of treadmills: manual and motorized. A manual treadmill relies on the individual to get it moving. The momentum of your movement keeps the belt moving. These treadmills are used for people who walk for cardio exercise. Motorized treadmills allow people to run, so they can burn more fat in a shorter amount of time. Running for 20 minutes a day increases the heart rate and burns more fat than walking for 20 minutes.

Time Frame

When burning calories on a treadmill, the amount of calories you burn will determine the time frame for weight loss. A pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. Therefore, you need to expend approximately 500 calories each day to lose a pound of fat a week. If you want to lose weight faster, you'll need to do more exercise. Or, couple exercise with dieting to lose weight and limit the amount of calories consumed.

Effects

The effects of a treadmill are more than just the pounds of fat loss. Treadmills are also good for the cardiovascular system, so it improves your heart health. Treadmills also allow you to gain muscle tone in the legs. Muscle tone improves the look of your body, helping you see results more quickly. More muscle also means more fat is burned during the day, even while inactive, so it's easier to maintain a healthy weight once you meet your weight-loss goals.

Considerations

It's more beneficial to incorporate a good diet plan along with weight loss and treadmill workouts. A healthy diet will give you more energy when working out, and it will help boost your body's immune system. This is beneficial for people who use treadmills at gyms where germs can spread. Consider reducing the amounts of fats and junk food in your diet when losing weight with treadmill exercises. This practice will show results more quickly, and keep the exerciser motivated to continue the workouts.

References

Article reviewed by Elizabeth Ahders Last updated on: Nov 29, 2009

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