Advantages and Disadvantages of Treadmill Use

At this time of year, many people might be wondering why they need to buy a treadmill when it is only involved in getting fitters and weight loss. Others may be asking about the number of calories that they will end up burning as a result of using a treadmill. These and other questions will be answered in this review to help you understand more about the advantages and disadvantages of using a treadmill.

What are the Advantages of Using a Treadmill?

The various advantages of using a treadmill include:

Easy to Use;
Weight Loss;
Improving Muscle Tone;
Improving Joint Flexibility;
Cardio Workouts;
Storage is Easy;
Workout programmes; and
Safety.

1. Easy to Use

It is among the few machines which can be used without the presence of an exercise professionals (i.e. gym instructor/personal trainer).
You can choose your own running pace. All you need is turning the simple button and adjusting the speed in which you wish to run.
Variable inclines can make your running more or less challenging at the press of a button.
Measuring your heart rate (HR) is as simple as placing your hands on the handles or syncing a HR monitor.

2. Improving Joint Flexibility

Working out on the treadmill regular can help to improve joint flexibility.
Stronger joints are useful in combating various bone diseases, including gout and arthritis. Besides that, it is also helpful in building a more appropriate bone density.
In most cases, bone density is involving the number of minerals present in the bones and is contributing to the amount of bone strength.
Besides, improving bone density assists in the sighting of various diseases such as osteoporosis.
Therefore, there is a need for engaging in an exercise with multiple advantages as it will result in multiple improvements, especially you can use the best treadmills for bad knees.

3. Weight Loss

Many people purchase a treadmill to lose weight.
They are good for enabling you to burn calories.
With variable speeds and inclines you can increase the number of calories burnt.
As an indoor activity, there is no ‘bad weather’ excuse for not going for a run!

4. Improving Muscle Tone

Besides burning calories, a treadmill is also useful for toning the butt, quads, and developing our curves.
As such, treadmills are useful machines for improving muscle tone, body shape, and developing stamina.
It might even help you get rid of that belly fat and show of your six pack.

5. Cardio Workouts

As well as the traditional long steady distance (LSD) runs, treadmills can also be used for interval training and sprint-style training.
This means they can be used for both aerobic and anaerobic training.
Adjusting the level of incline can also provide a form of resistance training – climbing a hill is tough going on the legs.
Most treadmills have a HR monitor built in and this means you can tailor training to your own fitness level and monitor your HR over time.

6. Storage is Easy

Treadmills come with various features, and therefore prices, meaning you can find one to suit your budget.
Folding treadmills come with space saving features which can half their size when not in use, which is useful for those with limited space for gym equipment.
Many also come with wheels to make moving them easier.

7. Workout Programmes

Most, if not all, treadmills provide a range of built in workout programmes.
Even basic treadmills offer 4-5 different workout programmes.
All offer a ‘start running’ option, meaning you do not have to press any button or programme the treadmill. You literally start running and it will monitor your progress.
Treadmills can monitor your speed/pace, distance, incline, HR, intervals, etc. Some even incorporate games into the programmes.

8. Safety

No need to run in the dark or bad weather.
Can run in a safe environment, no need to be running on the streets.

Some Disadvantages of Using a Treadmill

They can range in price, from as little as $100-$200 all the way up to $2000-$3000.
Cheaper models can be jarring on the spine and knees.
Some treadmills can take considerable space in a room, and most cannot be folded.
They do require periodic (basic) maintenance to keep them in working order.
Some models can be quite noisy.