Adding variations to a treadmill workout can help speed your burning of fat everywhere on your body, including the fat around your midsection. Excess belly fat creates more health risks than fat in other areas of the body. It indicates a greater risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Get your doctor's OK before starting a treadmill exercise program.
Walking Uphill
Climbing on a treadmill has the same benefits as outdoor hill climbing. Adjust your treadmill's incline level and you can burn triple the number of calories and melt away body fat, says fitness trainer Joy Prouty. Warm up for 10 minutes, then slowly increase the incline to 2 percent for five to 10 minutes. Then gradually decrease the incline and finish with five to 10 minutes of flat walking. Every week or two, increase your incline by 1 percent.
Intervals
Speed up your walking in short bursts to get the benefits of interval training. More fat and calories are burned in a shorter time with intervals, says personal trainer David Grisaffi, author of "Firm and Flatten Your Abs." Walk at your normal pace for a few minutes, then increase your speed for 30 to 60 seconds and then resume your normal speed. Continue alternating your speeds in this way for at least 20 minutes.
Treadmill Power Walking
Power walking is tightening up all your muscles while walking at a brisk pace. Focus especially on your abs and glutes tightening as you walk, to help tone those areas. You can lose body fat within eight weeks by power walking one to three times per week, according to Exercise-with-treadmill.com. Pump your arms while walking to add resistance and get a good cardiovascular workout.
Recommendations
Consider your current fitness level and health condition as you develop your treadmill workout. Do what works best for you, rather than copying others, says Grisaffi. On days when you feel energetic, you may decide to push yourself a little harder. Consult with your physician before starting any new exercise program.
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