A treadmill is a piece of home or gym equipment that ranges from basic to elaborate. All models allow you to walk or run for an extended period, which helps strengthen your cardiovascular system. If weight loss is a concern, treadmills can definitely make you thinner, but this depends on certain conditions.
Effects
Burning calories is key in losing weight. Cardiovascular exercise such as walking or running on the treadmill elevates your heart rate, causes you to sweat and burns calories efficiently. A 180-pound person burns about 860 calories in 60 minutes running running at 6 mph. Even a brisk walking pace is effective in encouraging weight loss. A 180-pound person burns about 390 calories in 60 minutes walking 4 mph.
Duration
Occasional workouts on a treadmill will not give you a skinny body. If you do not follow a regimented program and exercise consistently, you are not likely to lose weight. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity five days a week for the best weight-loss results. This may sound like a heavy workload, but you do not need to do it in a single session. If you are pressed for time, walk or run on the treadmill two or three times a day. Accumulated exercise is just as effective as long-duration training. A home treadmill makes this easier.
Interval Training
Interval training is a workout method that involves alternating your intensity from high to low. When using a treadmill, you can alternate your speed and incline, or mix both together. The result of this training is a faster loss of fat. When doing interval training, start with a light warm-up, then follow a 1-to-2 ratio of high-to-low intensity. For example, run fast on the treadmill for 30 seconds and jog for 60. If you are not in condition, alternating your walking pace from fast to slow will still yield faster results.
Muscle
Added muscle causes an elevated metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories at rest. Although the treadmill is a cardio machine, you still work multiple major muscles in your body. The main muscles worked while walking and running are the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, calves and abs.
Eating Habits
Your eating habits are significant in trying to lose weight. Treadmill workouts matter little if you follow a high-calorie diet. To become skinny, cut back on your intake while doing treadmill workouts. Since there are 3,500 calories in a pound, if you reduce your daily intake by 500 calories while burning 500 a day on the treadmill, you will lose about 2 pounds a week. Stick with foods low in saturated fat, sodium and simple sugar like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, whole grains and beans.
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