Treadmills are the most widely used cardio fitness equipment for both home and gym use. Buying a treadmill for your home is very convenient, and helps you keep fit without having to make trips to the gym. Also, there’s the added benefit of running on the safe, secure track of the treadmill rather than running outside on hard concrete. This is why treadmills are one of the most preferred options for meeting weight loss goals. Luckily, there are lots of treadmill workouts available to help you lose weight. Whether you’re an experienced athlete interested in serious workouts, or a beginning looking for simple treadmill workouts to help you lose weight, here are the five best treadmill workouts for weight loss:
Great Treadmill Workouts to Lose Weight
1. The Weight Loss Shuffle
Some people find running in a fixed position quite boring. If you’re one of them, this is one of the more highly recommended treadmill workouts to lose weight. This intense 30-minute workout starts with a three minute warm-up at a speed of 5m/hr, leading into 30 seconds of shuffling on both your right and left sides. You must shuffle your feet instead of crossing one foot over the other. After repeating these shuffles for up to 30 minutes (that would be a total of 60 shuffles), you can then face forward and cool down with a three-minute jog.
2. Speed and Incline Workout
This is an active treadmill workout for weight loss that can add a spark to your workout sessions. By varying your pace and slope, the speed and incline workout enables you to burn more calories at a faster rate and in a shorter amount of time. To begin, vary your speed and incline for about 25 seconds at a time, running for at least one minute at a steady pace in between. Your heart rate will increase rapidly due to the speed alterations, and you find it easier to adjust to longer sessions.
3. Steady Workout
For those who don’t want numerous intensity changes and are more relaxed with working out at a steady pace, there are lots of comfortable treadmill workouts for you. This is also a great option for beginners, who need less rigorous treadmill workouts to lose weight. To thoroughly enjoy a steady workout, warm up at a speed that is a bit lower than your most comfortable pace. After warming up for a few minutes, increase the intensity level by running at the desired speed which will be maintained during the entire session. Towards the end of your workout, revert to your warm-up pace as you slowly cool down.
4. Hill Sculpting Workout
This is an excellent option if you want a treadmill workout for weight loss that can also help shape and sculpt the muscles in your legs. The treadmill incline feature plays an important role by intensifying the workout and causing the muscles in the leg to work harder. To begin, warm up by running at a comfortable pace with no incline. After your leg muscles are all warmed up, gradually ramp up the treadmill incline every 25 seconds until you get to your preferred level of incline. Once you approach the end of your workout, reduce the incline as you slowly cool down.
5. Television Tempo
Looking to have some fun while you burn off those calories? The television tempo may just be your top choice for the best treadmill workout for weight loss. To enjoy this workout, ensure that you have a clear view of your television from your treadmill. Start by warming up at a steady pace for 10 minutes before your favorite show comes up. Increase your speed to a fast run once the program is on, and continue without slowing down until a commercial break pops up. During the break, reduce your speed to a comfortable jog, and when the program comes back up again, proceed to a sprint. Once the show is over, use a slower paced jog to cool down gradually.
Looking for a treadmill workout that will have you out of breath in no time? Take a look at this Burst Training Treadmill Workout (I'm tired just watching it!):
Final Thoughts
Most treadmills have different settings for steady cardio exercises, interval training, and random workouts. To prevent yourself from getting bored during your treadmill workouts, it’s advisable that you take advantage of these features and rotate between the different kinds of exercises available for you. Trying different workouts helps the various groups of muscles in your body to get the conditioning they need and significantly enhances your fitness level. Before you know it, you’ll see the benefits as those calories burn off, and you’ll be one step closer to achieving your desired weight.