One of the most popular exercise machines in the commercial or home gym is the treadmill. It offers the way for all levels of exerciser to get a work out--from the beginning health seeker to the competitive endurance athlete. Jogging on a treadmill requires no special equipment, apart from a good pair of running shoes. Jogging is a natural activity that most people can perform with little coaching. To reap the most benefit out of your treadmill workout, set the incline at 1 or 2 percent to better mimic outdoor factors like wind resistance and terrain changes.
Calorie Burn
A treadmill workout burns serious calories in a relatively short session. A 150-lb. woman will burn about 350 calories in a half-hour jog going at 6 mph. Pick up your pace for even more weight-loss benefits. Research also suggests that running is a preferable form of exercise for burning fat. A study in the "International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism" published in 2010 showed that fat burning during running is significantly higher than during cycling, even when participants worked at the same relative intensity.
Ideal Conditions
The treadmill offers a way to work out indoors--regardless of outdoor conditions. If you live in place with a particularly harsh winter, jogging on a treadmill allows you to be safe and warm. Icy conditions can lead to injury by causing you to adjust your gait or to slip. A treadmill also provides a good option in an urban environment where an outdoor route would be unsafe due to traffic conditions.
Drills
You can perform precise intervals on a treadmill. If you are just getting into jogging, use a run-walk method with success on a treadmill and see results as your speeds and distance covered increases. Experienced runners who want to conduct timed drills at a particular goal speed may do so readily on the treadmill without a coach holding a stop watch and barking orders. Treadmills usually go up to an incline of 10 to 15 percent, allowing people who do not live in a hilly area to benefit from hill drills or a consistent long hill to improve their jogging form or burn additional calories.
Cushioning
If your usual outdoor jogging route takes you on asphalt and concrete courses, the treadmill can give your body a break from the constant jarring, according to Rick Morris author of "Treadmill Training for Runners." Treadmills vary in surface qualities but you can seek out one that provides a lot of cushioning to allow for a soft ride. Some high-end treadmills even allow you to adjust the level of shock absorption.
Amenities Nearby
If you jog outdoors, you may find it gets caught short when nature calls. Carrying adequate water and nutrition is also a challenge when working out outdoors. Jogging on the treadmill gives you instant access to a restroom, water and fuel.
Constant Pacing
The treadmill keeps your training honest. A treadmill allows you to set your pace, so you can follow a specific training protocol for long jogs or recovery days. When running outdoors, you may be tempted to go faster or slower than your goal pace--without even knowing it.
Member Comments