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Treadmills and Weight Loss

milleniumgirl

milleniumgirl

Guest
Sep 12, 2010
617
18
I'm sure you have all seen the numerous fitness equipment infomercials. The promises are beyond absurdity. Get the perfect abs in 10 minutes a day. Have a sculpted body in no time. Each machine lauds patented revolutionary technology designed to miraculously get you in shape and lose pounds with a minimal effort.

If it was only that easy.

If you want to look great and feel healthy you have to work at it. That generally requires a vigorous exercise routine combined with a well balanced diet. To lose weight and trim down you need to burn calories on a regular basis. It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar to figure that out.

Of all the various types of fitness equipment that come and go, there is one that is still a major contender, that is a treadmill. Torso Track, Total Gym 1000/2000, Ab Sculptor, Ab Rockers, Ab Doers, Slam Man, Thighmasters, Toning System, Door Gym, Orbitrek are here today gone tomorrow.

Why do you not find treadmills sold on infomercials? Because it is not a high margin, hyped up exercise equipment. The majority of the infomercial equipment is designed for one purpose, to make as much money as soon as possible before the general public figures out they don't work. A substantial portion of the price of this equipment is going towards the promotions.

Who are the people that primarily buy this stuff? Individuals who want to believe that there are shortcuts to losing weight and getting in shape. Getting fit takes time and effort, and no machine is going to avoid that reality.

Have you ever seen any infomercial equipment at a health club? No, because they don't work and they're not built to last. What you will see is a number of treadmill, often with people waiting their turn to use them.

It really is a numbers game. The more time you spend doing cardiovascular exercises the more calories you are going to burn and the more weight you will lose. And if you are looking for fitness equipment that will get the maximum burn, then a treadmill should be at the top of your list.

According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, consumers spend more money for treadmills then any other home exercise equipment. In 2001 there were over 43 million treadmill users, a 9% increase over the following year.

The treadmill is unsurpassed for a cardiovascular workout. It works the large muscles in your body. According to a study done by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, calories burned on the treadmill for 60 minutes averaged 865 - 705. This compares to:

*
Stair machine 746 - 637
*
Rowing machine 739 - 606
*
Stationary cycle 604 - 556
*
Cross-country ski machine 678 - 595

This is one of numerous studies, including one by the American Medical Association, that rank a treadmill as the number one cardiovascular machine. There are several other important factors that make treadmill exercising so practical.

Either Run or Walk

The two most popular forms of exercising are running and walking. Whether you are a casual walker or a serious runner, a treadmill can accommodate your exercise needs. Set the speed and incline to suite your desired cardiovascular goals. You can do a power walk up an incline or a heart pumping run at high speed.

Avoid Bad Weather

A treadmill can guarantee a consistent workout in all seasons. If you live in a cold climate, freezing temperatures and snow will not disrupt your workout. For those in warm temperate regions, you don't need to be concerned about heat exhaustion in hot and humid weather.

Low Impact

For walkers and runners alike, injuries are common from the constant pounding of joints on asphalt and concrete. Particularly higher end treadmills offer surfaces that absorb impact and reduce pressure. Injuries are less common and stress is reduced on those critical joints. Achilles tendons, knee joints, back muscles, ankles, thighs take less of a beating, which guarantee that you'll continue to walk or run into your old age.

Versatility

As treadmills become more sophisticated so does the versatility of the workout. Speed and incline have always been a feature on motorized treadmills, but now your workout is enhanced by a variety of preprogrammed computerized exercises. Simulate running up and down hills, focus on cardio exercise, concentrate on burning calories, or work on speed training. Often treadmills have preset programs with various levels of intensity. In addition you can program your own workout, combining speed with incline.

Choosing a Treadmill

Treadmills come in all shapes and sizes, including folding and stationary models. It is important to find just that right model that accommodates your present and future exercise goals. You can research on the Internet through articles and reviews. In addition, you may want to talk with fitness professionals that can recommend a treadmill specific to your needs.

Don't be lured by the blue light specials found in large retail and sporting goods stores. They lack the components and functionality to provide an enduring and pleasurable exercise experience. If you are in it for the long run you'll want to buy a treadmill that is build to last and designed to be virtually maintenance free.

Of course buying a treadmill is just the beginning. You won't lose weight looking at it. It is important to get yourself on a regular routine. The more time you spend on it, the more calories you burn and the more weight you lose. Find a fitness program that works for you. Depending on your preference, combine your workout with music, television or videos.

Treadmills have experienced substantial and steady growth over the years. Since their introduction there has never been a year where the sales have decreased. They are designed to enhance the most popular form of exercising, running and walking. They are built on the basic premise that the more effort you put in, the more you will get out. As infomercial fitness equipment and gimmicks gather dust, treadmills continue to gain popularity and get results.

[smoothfitness.com]
 
W

Wolf

MuscleHead
Dec 25, 2010
274
45
I kind of had a feeling that smoothfitness would be selling treadmills on their site by the content of the article. There are a few things I don't agree with in it. The first being that treadmills are unsurpassed for a cardiovascular workout. They have one large deficit compared to the rowing erg or a stationary cycle, treadmills can not properly provide the conditions to allow for explosive training because of the time they take to go from a moderate speed to a sprinting pace.

As well as it being a numbers game. Totally disregards that there is a negative feedback loop in the body when there is too much activity. Totally disregards that quality is always superior to quantity.
 

SHINE

Friends Remembered
Oct 11, 2010
5,047
600
I dunno the damn stair stepper seems to kick my old ass more than the tread mill lol.
 
lawrence

lawrence

Senior Member
Dec 21, 2010
100
4
my girl hates the stair stepper,so i make her do it everyday no pain no gain....
 
marx

marx

MuscleHead
Sep 29, 2010
4,671
626
I dunno the damn stair stepper seems to kick my old ass more than the tread mill lol.

Yesiree!

The rower seems to use more muscles too, least that is how it feels...
 
chicken_hawk

chicken_hawk

MuscleHead
Oct 28, 2010
718
150
One of the problems with treadmills is that there is no hamstring work since the machine brings your leg back for you, leading to muscle imbalance if used long enough.

Hawk
 
Get Some

Get Some

MuscleHead
Sep 9, 2010
3,442
648
One of the problems with treadmills is that there is no hamstring work since the machine brings your leg back for you, leading to muscle imbalance if used long enough.

Hawk

Exactly hawk, nice job...

The best way to strengthen your legs is to run barefoot in grass or similar field. You can wear socks but make sure that your toes and the contours of your feet really feel the ground. People who have run in shoes there whole life might think this is weird but I promise if you have shin splints or similar problems this will fix them. Your whole foot working the ground engages all the muscles in your leg much better than if you were wearing shoes. I only wear shoes to the gym for cleanliness/saftey reasons. If I had my own home setup I don't think I would wear shoes....I like to feel the floor.

If you needed shoes to run, you would have been born with them. If you needed gloves to lift, you would have been born with them. Then again, not everyone is born to do what we do.
 
T

tobetutz

Member
Sep 19, 2010
13
2
If you needed shoes to run, you would have been born with them. If you needed gloves to lift, you would have been born with them. Then again, not everyone is born to do what we do.

I agree 100% with this statement.

I saw on the television the other day a show I think it was Superhumans where they had found a Mexican tribe that runs distances of up to 500 miles in a really short time. (I don't remember how long it took them) But these people some of them did not wear shoes and those that did they were make shift shoes made with the rubber of old tires just secured on the bottom of the their feet. Here is the amazing thing, they all ran on the balls of their feet. They don't follow the recommended heel first method. I always ran in the military on the heels of my feet until I develpoed chin splints. When I changed to running on the balls of my feet I never had that issue again.
 
POR2GUE

POR2GUE

Member
Oct 24, 2010
12
1
lol@running 500 miles, friggin crazy ass people!
 
S

schultz1

Bangs Raiden's mom VIP
Jan 3, 2011
3,701
1,060
I think the stair climber and rower would burn less calories because one cannot keep the same pace on those for the duration that one can on the treadmill. Just an oppinion. I think the stair stepper is best for cardio, for me anyway.
 
nationwide

nationwide

VIP Member
Mar 19, 2011
198
10
I love the treadmill I have one at the house,and makes for a nice clothes catcher....lol, really I use it often its the only thing that dont cause me knee pain.
 
K

KB78

New Member
Mar 31, 2011
5
1
See, and a treadmill is the last thing I'd use for cardio, mainly because running on it does cause me knee pain. But, maybe that's because these were well worn treadmill at gyms. If I feel in a mood to run, I'd rather do it outside.
 
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