The dangers and benefits of the incline treadmill

Website design By BotEap.comWhile it’s true that using the treadmill’s incline feature can be a great way to enhance your treadmill workouts; it can also be a dangerous tool, especially when not used correctly. If used too often or incorrectly, it can hinder your training and fitness goals.

Website design By BotEap.comThe average treadmill will have an incline level range of between 0 and 15 percent. In general most beginners should start at level 0-1* with zero flat and 1% being the next level, as a beginner there is no need to go over a 5% incline level. A beginner will get a better workout if he runs at a faster pace at a low incline level than at a slower pace at a higher incline level.

Website design By BotEap.comRunning on an incline is the theoretical equivalent of running uphill, but it’s not quite the same, the great outdoors offers the elements and uneven terrain that makes for a much tougher workout. One should not equate running on the treadmill with an incline as being equivalent to running outside up and down a hill. The incline on the treadmill also has a downside and that is that it cannot give you the experience of running downhill, which in itself is a very difficult weight loss exercise.

Website design By BotEap.comAlways be careful when running up an incline on the treadmill, be sure to maintain proper form and never overdo it! The best way to ensure safety is to run at a 0% incline for 2 minutes, followed by a 3-minute run at a 5% incline. Keep alternating between the two and you’ll be super seated and injury free in no time. If you intend to use the treadmill to lose weight, make sure you run outside when you can. For the days you can’t run outside, you can use the treadmill to complete your fitness program.

Website design By BotEap.comIn short, it’s always better to run outdoors in a hilly area and if you can’t run outdoors, you can use the incline of the treadmill to mimic running uphill.