Studies have established the treadmill as the best exercise machine in terms of burned calories. Test groups burned up to 865 calories after spending an hour on the treadmill, while other gym equipment – stationary bikes and stair, machines, and cross-country ski machines – caused them to burn around 750 calories at best. Other treadmill advantages your average fitness freak will love include the unequaled cardiovascular and aerobic workout, the ease of operation, and its customizability for each user’s specific workout. Some treadmills come with fitness progress meters that indicate step count and heart rate – a plus for the health-conscious gym enthusiast.
Among the greatest treadmill benefits are convenience and safety. Being a machine designed for indoor running, the treadmill eliminates the hassle of unfavorable weather conditions. Rain and snow will be no excuse for you to skip your daily workout when you can exercise in the comfort of your own home. Exercising at home means you can wear your lightest workout clothes and not have your movement hampered by bulky clothing for keeping the cold out. On hot days, the chances of dehydration and heat exhaustion are virtually nil when you have constant, easy access to drinking water – something outdoor runners can’t always count on. In addition, there are many options from many manufacturers (most famous are probably the treadmills made by Nordictrack or Proform).
Treadmills significantly reduce the risk of running-related injuries such as sprains and fractures from slips and falls by keeping the terrain familiar, predictable, and controllable. A treadmill can also provide better shock absorption than concrete and asphalt, easing the stress on joints and connective tissue.
Competitive runners benefit from the versatility of modern treadmills, whose speed and incline they can tailor to suit specific training needs. Runners who wish for hill training may not always have hills near their homes, while some who do live in hilly areas might want to do long-distance running over an easier incline. A treadmill easily does away with these worries. Marathon runners can particularly benefit from the set speed of a treadmill, as the consistency of their resulting pace would mean that the quality of their workout will not be compromised by muscle fatigue, motivating their bodies to work harder. Consistency and speed control are vital for good performance.
These are but a few of the countless advantages of running on a treadmill. Used properly, this simple machine can answer to most of your exercise needs without your even having to set a foot outdoors.