Treadmills
What is a Treadmill?
Fitness treadmills look like conveyor belts.
They are designed to give users a good indoor cardio-aerobic workout by
walking, jogging or running. You walk/run on the same spot, the treadmill-surface
moves, so you experience the motion of walking/running without actually
moving forwards. Despite the rise of other fitness equipment such as the
elliptical-trainer, and the increasing varieties of exercise bike, the
treadmill is still number one when it comes to indoor exercise-workouts.
Use a Treadmill for Effective Cardio Exercise
A gym treadmill is highly effective for a
total cardiovascular workout. Good for all types of fitness levels, it
burns more calories than most other gym apparatus, and several studies
(including one by the American Medical Association) have shown that training
on a treadmill produces significant cardio-respiratory benefits, especially
when the walker/runner works the upper-body through arm movements.
Treadmill Machines Also Develop Muscle
Aside from it's aerobic benefits, a treadmill
works the large muscle-groups in your body, like the butt gluteal muscles
(Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Glutus Minimus) and the thighs (quadriceps
and lower-thigh muscles). No wonder consumers spend more money on treadmills
then any other home exercise equipment.
Treadmill Programs and Information Feedback
Most good quality treadmills have controls
to adjust incline as well as speed, and the display console typically
provides feedback on speed, distance covered, calories burned, and sometimes
heart-monitoring data.
Guidelines for Buying a Treadmill
(1) Wait until you can afford a good quality
machine. If you intend to workout regularly, buy a good quality motorized
treadmill and avoid manual machines or budget motorized versions. The
cheaper the treadmill, the shorter it's lifespan and the less fitness
benefits it's likely to offer.
(2) Make sure you have enough space for the machine. An average treadmill
requires about 30-35 square feet. Also, check power outlet availability.
(3) The treadmill motor should be at least 1.5 horse power. The motor
is the core element of the treadmill and should be covered by a good warranty.
Treadmills that have a more powerful motor are typically more robust and
have better-sized belts and other benefits, like better information display,
emergency stop button, and a wider range of controls. Price Guide:: About
$800.00-$1500.00 for a reasonable motorized machine.
Treadmill and Weight Control
Treadmill machines improve health and fitness,
build muscle tissue, and develop a leaner body shape. They also help to
raise metabolism and may also help to develop a flat stomach. To lose
fat tissue, and reduce weight, workouts using Treadmills need to be combined
with a calorie-controlled diet. Because unless you create a calorie deficit,
you can't burn fat and therefore lose weight.
Back to Review
of Exercise and Fitness Machines
Back to Top
|
