Can a Manual Treadmill Help Burn Belly Fat?

If you catch yourself standing in front of the mirror and poking at your belly fat, you're not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than a third of Americans are obese. While such a diagnosis is serious, it's possible to shed weight and build a healthy body through exercise. If you have access to a manual treadmill, you'll be able to burn fat throughout your body, including around your belly, to reach your desired weight.

  1. Belly Fat Risks

    • You might be able to disguise your belly fat with clothing, but even if it's out of sight, it's still putting your health at risk. MayoClinic.com warns that belly fat doesn't just consist of the fat that sits directly below your skin. It also includes visceral fat, which packs the area around your internal organs. Health risks of excess belly fat include an increase in your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Among men, belly fat can also lead to sleep apnea.

    Spot Reduction

    • Even if you wish to solely reduce your belly fat, you won't be able to do so without also burning the overall fat throughout your body. The theory that you can target a specific fat zone for burning is called spot reduction, and the American Council on Exercise reports it's a common fitness myth. Through repeatedly walking or jogging on a manual treadmill, however, you can burn enough calories to lose fat around your belly and throughout your body.

    Calorie Burning

    • When you can regularly burn more calories than you consume, your body enters a phase known as a calorie deficit. This deficit is the key to weight loss and is typically possible through frequent exercise and a reduction in your calorie intake. A calorie deficit of 3,500 calories will lead to the loss of 1 pound. The calories you'll burn on a manual treadmill depend on your pace. Harvard Medical School reports a person who weighs 185 pounds will burn 178 calories in 30 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph, 222 calories in 30 minutes of walking at 4.5 mph and 355 calories in 30 minutes of jogging at 5 mph. Aim to spend at least five hours per week on the manual treadmill to help you lose weight.

    Reducing Calorie Intake

    • Even if you spend considerable time exercising on the manual treadmill each day, you might struggle with losing weight unless you address your calorie intake. One approach is to count calories, but the ACE notes you can reduce your calorie intake through a number of simple strategies. These strategies include cutting your meal size by 10 percent, increasing your nutrient consumption by consuming fresh fruits, vegetables and grains, reducing your intake of alcohol and keeping away from foods that contain trans fats.