Some people underestimate the benefits of a treadmill. They are a great way to build cardiovascular endurance, speed, and strengthen your body all at once! If you are new to using a treadmill, and unsure if you should be sprinting, running, or walking at an incline, then continue reading. Utilizing incline is a great way to increase your caloric burn and strengthen muscles. Most often, treadmills have an incline setting ranging from .5% to 15%. For reference, a 1% incline is considered the same resistance level as a flat outdoor surface. First, you want to make sure you are accurately tracking your heart rate. In general, runners should keep their heart rate between 70% and 85% for the most significant calorie-burning effects. Now that we have that covered, let’s go back to the big question: incline or speed? Using the incline feature will intensify your workout without increasing your speed or lengthening your workout, and as an added bonus, it will not put additional stress on your joints. Ready for more good news? No sprints! Simply power walking with an incline tricks your body into operating in the most efficient and powerful mode. Try starting at a 2% or 3% incline fast-paced walk and watch your fitness goals come to fruition! Once your body has adjusted to a slight incline, start gradually increasing, and you will be impressed with the results. Always listen to your body and never overdo it.
