Is Exercising on a Treadmill Good for Losing Weight?

When it comes to fat-burning exercise, keeping things simple is a sensible approach. Walking or running on a treadmill might not seem as exciting as an upbeat step aerobics class or cardio kickboxing, but both activities are effective ways to get in shape. Treadmill workouts can burn calories quickly, and the machine's technology helps you get the most out of your workout.

  1. Calories Burned

    • The key to fat loss is consistently burning more calories than you eat and drink. When you're able to create a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories, you'll lose a pound of fat. As such, exercises that burn calories quickly are ideal to add to your workout regimen. A 185-pound person who spends 30 minutes walking at 4 mph, jogging at 5 mph or running at 6 mph will burn 200, 355 or 444 calories, respectively.

    Customizing Workouts

    • Using a treadmill allows you to easily customize your workout. You can instantly boost the rate at which you burn calories by not only increasing the speed of the belt, but also by elevating the machine's incline. When you raise the incline, you force your body to work harder, thus burning more calories. "Men's Health" recommends setting the machine to a 1 percent incline to provide the same workout as exercising outdoors.

    Heart Rate

    • Treadmills are ideal because they allow you to closely monitor your heart rate. Grab the machine's handles in the designated zone, wait for a moment and you'll see your heart rate displayed on the monitor. Knowing your heart rate while working out is important because you'll burn the most fat, notes Military.com, when you're exercising between 75 and 90 percent of your maximum heart rate. To determine your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. Once you know the maximum rate, make a quick calculation and endeavor to keep your workouts in that zone.

    Exercise Benefits

    • Working out on a treadmill won't just help you burn calories, but it will also provide you with several other important health benefits. Better Health Channel notes that running and jogging build muscle, strengthen your bones and boost your cardiovascular fitness. Walking is an ideal low-impact exercise for people with joint pain. MayoClinic.com reports that benefits of walking include helping you prevent such health risks as high blood pressure and heart disease.