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Treadmill

3 replies

diddl · 12/03/2010 11:49

Need to lose weight, so need to up the exercise.

Anyone any positive stories re using a treadmill?

OP posts:
panda76 · 12/03/2010 14:26

Do you mean a treadmill in a gym or one that you have at home?

I've used gym treadmills on and off for years and have found them to be really good for short running sessions. I've trained for a couple of 10K runs and one 10 mile run but I find I get really bored after doing more than 4/5 miles on the treadmill.

If you're not into running then they're good for walking as well because you can set them to 'hill' mode to increase the intensity of your workout. I'd recommend you have a lively 'excercise' playlist on your ipod to keep you going though, because it can get boring. But, the good thing is if you are in a gym and get bored on the treadmill, you can always take a break and use another piece of equipment instead...it's all good for weight loss!

I need to lose weight myself so I'm off to the gym this afternoon to get back on the treadmill too (I've been a lazy lump since January and done nothing so have piled on the pounds!!!)

Good luck

diddl · 12/03/2010 16:49

I was thinking about home, but not sure if they are "heavy duty" enough to be of any use iyswim.

OP posts:
Monadami · 13/03/2010 03:12

As a personal trainer, I don't usually get a client to use a treadmill for longer than 20 minutes to warm up. Cardio machines are ok to use in a workout when incorporating different training methods but I think it's beneficial to do functional compound exercise.

So doing something like a squat or lunge is functional, because it's an everyday movement, incorporating these exercises with perhaps a dumbbell chest press, shoulder press, front raise or biceps curl etc, will get your cardio system going, as you will need more oxygen to fuel the additional muscles being worked.

One thing to consider, if you do the same exercise day in day out, then your body will just adapt and get used to it, you will stop seeing results and hit a plateau. The key to effective exercise is variety.

Also, ideally you want to lose the right kind of weight, bodyfat as opposed to muscle. Too much cardio training can break down muscle fibres and use that as fuel, leaving fat behind, so your body will feel soft. It's improtant to incorporate weights into your routine. Increasing muscle fibre will speed up metabolism and will use body fat as fuel.

If you're looking to just walk on the treadmill try intervals or random programmes, so you will walk or run at different speeds and inclines throughout the session.

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