Can You Run On An Incline Treadmill?
Running while on an incline treadmill is one of the most popular ways to burn calories. It’s also proven to be effective at building strength and endurance.
However, there are a few things you need to consider before you run on an incline treadmill. If you’ve never used an incline treadmill, let me introduce you to the concept.
An incline treadmill workout allows you to run on an inclined surface without having to lift your feet off the ground. This means that you can use your own body weight to generate power instead of relying on the machine to do it for you.
Running is an excellent form of exercise that has many health benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness level and helps build muscles throughout the body. While running on an incline treadmill is possible, there are some circumstances where it’s not recommended.
If you’ve ever been told that you can’t run because you have flat feet, you’d probably want to tell the doctor to stick his foot where the sun doesn’t shine.
If you were diagnosed with flat feet, you might think that running was out of the question. But if you’ve read this far, then you might wonder whether you can run on an incline treadmill.
Keep reading if you want to learn more about incline treadmill.
How Does An Incline treadmill Work?
So how does an incline treadmill work? Basically, it allows you to run at different speeds while remaining on the same level.
When you run on an incline, it forces you to use your leg muscles besides your core to keep your body balanced. So even though you’re running at a slow pace on the incline, you’re using a lot of energy compared to running at ground level.
Running on an incline treadmill also helps build strength in your leg muscles. It’s an efficient workout for people who struggle with injuries, knee pain, or high blood pressure.
If you’re looking for a way to get a complete body exhilarating workout without damaging your joints, then an incline treadmill is a great option.
Incline treadmills are used for exercise because they allow you to walk at a faster pace while still maintaining a steady pace. They also allow you to build leg strength, endurance and balance.
In addition, an incline treadmill uses less energy than other types of treadmills, making it an even better choice for people who want to save money, especially if they live in an area where electricity costs are high.
Types of incline treadmills
Running has become a popular form of exercise because of its health benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles and bones, and burns calories.
However, running is not always possible due to weather, injuries, or lack of time. If you want to get in a quick interval workout without leaving home, then an incline treadmill can be a great option.
Here are the different incline treadmill:
1. Standard incline treadmill
A standard incline treadmill has a flat belt that runs along a stationary frame. The user must push himself up against the frame to make him go forward.
When he pushes off from the floor, the friction between his body and the moving surface causes him to move forward.
This type of treadmill requires no special maintenance, but it’s not as effective as a variable-inclination treadmill.
2. Variable-incline treadmill
This kind of treadmill has a continuous belt speed that moves back and forth across a stationary frame. The user simply steps onto the platform and walks normally; there are no pedals or handles attached to the machine.
As soon as the user puts one foot down, the belt begins to accelerate until it reaches top speed. Then it slows down gradually so that the user maintains control over his stride throughout each revolution of the belt.
3. Recumbent treadmill
A recumbent treadmill looks like a recliner chair. You lie face-up when exercising on this machine. This may seem strange, but it makes sense once you try it out.
You don’t have to worry about getting tangled in cables or tripping over anything else since all the wires and components are hidden underneath the seat.
The advantage of the recumbent design is that it provides more stability. There’s nothing to trip over and you won’t feel unstable during exercise
4. Roller treadmill
A roller treadmill has rollers that allow the user to move forward or backward. A handlebar controls both movement directions by allowing the user to pull the bar either toward or away from him.
Roller treadmills come in two varieties – manual and automatic. Manual versions require constant attention and supervision from the operator. Automatic models work automatically and do most of the heavy lifting. However, some users complain that these machines break down often, especially after long periods of use.
Three reasons you shouldn’t use an incline treadmill:
1. If you have issues with your spine, you should not run on an incline.
Running on an incline treadmill isn’t recommended because of its negative effects on your knees. It’s also not safe because you could fall off if you lean too far forward.
Running on an inclines treadmill also requires much higher energy expenditure than running on a flat surface.
2. Running on an incline will increase your risk for injury.
If you’re new to running, you might think that running uphill would provide a safer route. But that’s just not true. In fact, runners who start their training at faster speeds while ascending hills end up injuring themselves more frequently than those who begin training on level ground.
In addition, climbing steep slopes uses significantly greater amounts of oxygen than running on flat surfaces.
3. Exercise intensity decreases rapidly as the slope gets steeper.
When you climb a hill, gravity pulls you downhill faster than you can go uphill. As a result, you’ll burn fewer calories per minute at any pace. That means that even though you’re moving fast enough to stay motivated, you’ll be working harder than necessary.
Benefits of Using Incline Treadmill
1. Better posture: The inclined position helps improve back muscle strength and flexibility. It improves blood flow through the body which keeps muscles healthy and reduces chances of injuries.
2. Improved cardio fitness: When you walk or jog on a flat surface, there is no resistance offered against your motion. When walking or jogging on an incline, the force of gravity works against you. Therefore, it increases heart rate, burns fat and builds stamina.
3. Weight loss benefits: Walking on an incline causes weight loss due to increased calorie burning. According to research conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, people lose approximately three times more calories when they walk on a 4-10 percent grade compared to a zero percent gradient.
4. Increased bone density: Running on an incline strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis. This is one reason many athletes choose to train on an incline treadmill instead of using free weights
How to choose the right model of an Incline Treadmill?
There are many brands available in market today; however, choosing one which suits your budget and meets your advanced workout tips and requirements is important.
Here are few things to consider before buying an incline workout treadmill:
- Size
The size of the percent treadmill elevation determines how big it will look on your floor. Do you want something small so it doesn’t take up space? Or maybe you need something bigger so it covers more area of your room/home gym?
- Features
You may choose between different features such as variable speed, heart rate monitor, LCD display. Some people prefer having all the bells and whistles, but others don’t mind spending money on basic equipment. So make sure you know what you really need before making a purchase decision.
- Warranty
How long does the warranty cover? Is there anything included in the package like free shipping service, return policy, easy installation guide, etc.
