Enhancing your treadmill workouts involves various strategies, such as incorporating a dynamic warm-up before running or spicing up your routine with intervals instead of maintaining a steady pace. However, one highly effective technique doesn’t require running—introducing incline treadmill walking.
Keep reading for a more engaging and highly effective workout that delivers significant results. Incline treadmill walking might become your newfound favourite approach to breaking a sweat.
Benefits of Incline Treadmill Walking
While walking benefits your health, incorporating an incline adds an extra dimension. Before stepping onto the treadmill, explore the advantages of incline treadmill walking that await you:
● Makes Your Entire Body Work
Incline walking not only adds a challenge but also activates a broader range of muscles, engaging your entire body. When opting for incline treadmill walking, you target various muscle groups such as abs, lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. This emphasis on the posterior side contrasts with our daily routines, which often concentrate on front-focused activities.
● Excellent for Heart Health
Engaging more muscles during incline treadmill walking is a superior option for a full-body workout to walking on flat ground. The uphill terrain challenges you to work against gravity, intensifying your exercise routine.
In a 2013 study involving 18 competitive male runners, researchers observed that incline running elevated heart rates by 10%, emphasising its effectiveness for cardiovascular exercise compared to running on a flat surface.
● Boosts Your Backside Without Squats
While squats may have their merits, not everyone enjoys them. Incline treadmill walking offers an alternative with a prime benefit: the ability to strengthen your backside with each step. The incline specifically targets the muscles at the back of your legs, effectively lifting and toning your glutes.
● It Is Easy on Your Joints
According to Brooks, an incline treadmill workout provides comparable cardiovascular advantages but with reduced joint impact when weighing the benefits of incline walking versus running.
A 2014 study in the journal Gait & Posture supports this, revealing that walking at an incline on the treadmill is a superior choice for the knees, particularly beneficial for individuals with knee replacements or osteoarthritis.
Maximise Your Treadmill Workout: Tips for an Effective Sweat Session
Elevate your sweat session with these effective incline walking tips:
● Add Incline Push-ups
Take a breather during your incline treadmill walk by pausing the machine and incorporating incline push-ups. Utilise this opportunity to engage your core and chest. Position your hands on the top rails of the treadmill and place your feet on the side panels. Lower your chest to align with the bars by flexing your elbows, mimicking the motion of a traditional push-up, and subsequently, extend your arms to revert to the starting stance.
● Do Some Intervals
Diversify your workout by incorporating incline intervals if you prefer not to stick to a constant incline. Begin with a low incline for a brief warm-up, then elevate it for three minutes. Alternate between challenging, higher inclines and easier, lower inclines, mimicking a stroll through a hilly neighbourhood throughout your workout.
● Keep the Motivation
While inclines bring a touch of excitement to a typical workout, the reality is that walking in place can still become monotonous. Designate a 30-minute show exclusively for your workout sessions to maintain motivation throughout your exercise. This way, you might find yourself eagerly anticipating your next workout session.
Closing Thoughts
Elevating your treadmill workouts with incline walking opens up a world of benefits. The versatility of incline treadmill walking offers a dynamic and effective alternative to traditional flat-ground exercises.
Also, as you embark on your incline treadmill journey, remember to pay attention to your footwear. Investing in top-notch jogging shoes can enhance your support and comfort, making each step more enjoyable and effective. So lace up those shoes, embrace the incline, and take your fitness journey to new heights!
