Is The Treadmill Really Effective?

[Orange]

So I have a question as I am thinking about purchasing a treadmill, are they really as effective as I always hear?

I know they have the ones that have workouts built in, but is a treadmill really more effective than let's say, talking a walk/jog or riding a bike for a while? Thanks for the help in advance

[Cela]

You can watch TV while running.

[Drillbit Taylor]

You can walk when the conditions outside make it hard.

[Orange]

Mar 22, 2010 1:54:05 GMT -5 Cela said:

You can watch TV while running.

Yeah that is very true, I hadn't though about that. Ah but what if you had one of those little FLO TV things that you could take for a walk? ;D

[Rorschach]

Another plus for the Treadmill: It's easier on your knees and ankles than pounding on hard pavement or turf.

[Orange]

all really good points so far, ones I didn't take into consideration, so I guess a treadmill would be a worthy investment.

[El Pollo Guerrera]

1) Running/jogging/walking indoors lessens the chance of you getting rained on.

2) Running/jogging/walking indoors lessens the chance of you getting mugged.

3) Some machines keep track of how many calories are burned, if you need to know that.

4) Yes, you can watch TV. Or movies. Without worrying about walking into traffic.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Mar 22, 2010 2:16:16 GMT -5 Orange said:

all really good points so far, ones I didn't take into consideration, so I guess a treadmill would be a worthy investment.

You are seriously gonna invest hundreds of dollars in a machine so you can walk?

[boiledewokthe3rd]

Has watching wrestling taught you nothing? Just get on the 'roids already!

Never used a treadmill, do have a cross trainer though. that thing has changed the way I look completely, highly recommend it.

[Push R Truth]

Mar 22, 2010 3:06:45 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Mar 22, 2010 2:16:16 GMT -5 Orange said:

all really good points so far, ones I didn't take into consideration, so I guess a treadmill would be a worthy investment.

You are seriously gonna invest hundreds of dollars in a machine so you can walk?

The great thing about other people's money is that they don't need your opinion to spend it.













One great thing to not overlook, is a treadmill with an incline function. You can turn a simple workout into heavy cardio by cranking it up. It adds some cost to the machine, but it adds a lot of exercise value.

It's not needed of course, just an option.

[HMARK Center]

Cross trainers and elliptical machines are my favorites, to be honest, but yes, a tread works just fine.

[erisi236]

I never liked treadmills just for the simple fact that you can just give up, stop and go back to the couch when you get to your first winded stage.

Now if you were out walking or running you have to keep going just to get home, so you dig down and find your second or third wind and gut it out.

[Annette]

As someone who uses both a treadmill AND walks outside, I prefer the treadmill anyday. I'm too easily distracted when I'm outside, I'll randomly slow down to look at something, or stop to check my phone for texts. I don't really have that option when I'm on the treadmill because it keeps going whether I do or not. The incline option is amazing. I usually do 40 minutes at the gym 3x a week, ranging anywhere from a 4 to 10 degree incline - and it's great!

[Red Impact]

If you're just trying to exercise, treadmills are effective. If you were training for a marathon it wouldn't be as effective, but it doesn't sound like you're doing so, so you're just fine if you're using it to workout.

[Mozenrath]

Mar 22, 2010 10:56:27 GMT -5 erisi236 said:

I never liked treadmills just for the simple fact that you can just give up, stop and go back to the couch when you get to your first winded stage.

Now if you were out walking or running you have to keep going just to get home, so you dig down and find your second or third wind and gut it out.

Good point. This is part of why I am a believer in the idea of a workout partner, someone to tell you to get your ass back up and work a little more.

[xxshoyuweeniexx]

It depends on how hard you work at it. I've been going to the gym for over 3 months now, and I've lost almost 30 pounds from simply walking to running on the treadmill. Simply walking I just lost 10.

What I'd recommended is the incline though, if you're not building up your speed for something. You can set the speed pretty low, but crank the incline to about 10 for about an hour. You won't seem really tired afterward, but the payoff can be pretty good.

[Lance Uppercut]

I just bought a treadmill actually. With watching calories and doing some brisk walking 5 five times a week, I've lost 12 pounds in about 2 weeks. I'm pretty happy with mine.

[Annette]

Mar 22, 2010 10:56:27 GMT -5 erisi236 said:

I never liked treadmills just for the simple fact that you can just give up, stop and go back to the couch when you get to your first winded stage.

That sounds like a problem with the walker, not the treadmill.

[dabossftw]

They're pretty effective for doing a number on my knees when I use them.

[mattyc]

Does anyody have any links to some good home treadmills. I would be interested in possibly getting one at some point but I wouldnt know where to start when it comes to picking out a good one.

I am not a big fan of the gym but when I used to go the treadmill was a fave of mine so having one at home is quite tempting as I am looking to keep at my current weight and possibly lose a little more.