Walking on a treadmill for weight loss: myth or reality?

Did you know that walking on a treadmill for weight loss is no less effective than running? The main thing is to walk correctly, observing the technique of movements, maintaining the pace, maintaining the time and mileage. By exercising regularly, you can not only pump up your muscles and improve your health, but also achieve significant success in losing weight.

Everyone knows that women seeking to lose weight can act very energetically, and sometimes even thoughtlessly, in order to achieve their goal. Meanwhile, walking on a treadmill, in addition to the obvious benefits, also has contraindications. Remember, no approach should be at odds with the benefits for the body. Not a single “beauty” and not a single weight loss is worth such sacrifices!

Read the material very carefully - we have collected the most useful tips for effective and safe weight loss. Follow our recommendations, and “those jeans” will soon finally see their finest hour!

How to walk on a treadmill correctly?

First, let's find out how to properly walk on a treadmill to lose weight in the butt, buttocks and abdomen. By the way, when the body begins to burn calories, the first thing it does is spend them in those places where there is an excess. A little later, the process becomes more uniform, the volume of the arms decreases, the double chin disappears, and, unfortunately, the chest.

Duration

What causes weight loss in general? Excess weight is energy that a person received in excess from food, but did not spend. Why he absorbed so much of it is another question, by the way, the answer to it, as well as understanding the problem, can help in the future not to gain the hated kilograms again.

To lose weight, a woman must spend accumulated energy, that is, physically load the body, for example, on a treadmill. At the same time, she must monitor her diet and ensure that incoming calories do not exceed their expenditure. Our physiology is such that during the first 30-40 minutes of exercise, the body draws energy from glycogens carefully accumulated by the liver. Only after this does it turn directly to fats.

Accordingly, your treadmill walking program for weight loss should include an average time of each workout - at least 1 hour.

1 Rule. The duration of 1 walking session on a treadmill for weight loss is 1-1.5 hours.

Regularity

Many women are interested in how often to do brisk walking on a treadmill to lose weight? Fitness trainers and nutritionists agree that exercise should be regular, and preferably daily. However, there are nuances:

  • Beginners should proceed with caution. Start by training 2-3 times a week;
  • More experienced girls are recommended to run on a treadmill every other day;
  • When the load no longer seems too difficult, start changing the speed modes, increase the exercise time, give yourself a workout with walking on an incline treadmill;
  • If you want to achieve rapid weight loss, we recommend exercising every day, combining exercise with diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Rule 2. Ideally, training for weight loss should be done every day, regularly increasing the load.

Speed

According to reviews, cardio walking for weight loss on a treadmill should take place in a comfortable heart rate zone. Almost all modern exercise machines today are equipped with a cardio sensor. Monitor its readings so that your heart rate does not exceed 130 beats per minute.

At this pace, you will be able to exercise for a long time without causing damage to your health and without feeling very tired. Of course, you don't have to rush out like you're Kevin McCallister's family missing their plane to France.

  • Each lesson should begin with a warm-up - with slow walking on a treadmill;
  • Gradually increase the speed of the simulator so that in 15-20 minutes you reach a heart rate of 130 beats. /min;
  • In the last 5-10 minutes of the session, the speed is reduced again, aiming for a smooth transition to a state of rest.

Rule 3. The recommended heart rate during the active phase of exercise for weight loss is 130 beats. /min.

Breath

This is a very important parameter that affects not only the effectiveness of the training, but also the athlete’s endurance and his comfortable state of health. When walking on a treadmill for fat burning, it is important to breathe correctly:

  • Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth;
  • Strive to maintain a uniform breathing rhythm;
  • An approximate pattern of inhalations and exhalations for calm walking looks like 2/4. This means inhale for every 2 steps, exhale for every 4, that is, for the second step after inhalation. If you walk intensely, almost running, use a similar 3/3 pattern;
  • Stick to medium depth of breaths. If you inhale superficially, you will quickly become out of breath, but if you breathe too deeply, you will feel dizzy due to the influx of oxygen;
  • If you are out of breath, stop and regain your breathing. Then continue.

Rule 4. For a fast step, the breathing rhythm when walking on a treadmill for weight loss must correspond to the pattern: 3 steps - inhale, 3 steps - exhale.

Proper breathing will minimize the risk of dizziness and blood pressure surges. It forms good concentration of the athlete and increases his endurance. Remember, there can be no question of maintaining walking technique if a person is breathing incorrectly.

Technique

You need to walk with a straight back, your eyes looking forward. Make sure your feet step on the machine, gently rolling from heel to toe. Bend your arms at the elbows and let them intuitively help your body movements. Choose comfortable sneakers and comfortable clothes.

How to lose weight while walking

The effectiveness of a weight loss workout directly depends on the amount of effort expended. If the source of the load is perceived comfortably by the body, then the person will not receive any improvements other than the state of health. It’s a completely different matter when, after exercising on a machine, an athlete experiences severe shortness of breath or his legs give way. This indicates that the training was successful and that soon the extra calories will completely disappear from his body.

Interval training

This type is a very effective way to quickly lose weight. By alternating the degree of load, the body does not have time to get used to the exercises, so fat burning will occur at the desired intensity. It is recommended to start interval training with a five-minute walk, after which you can increase the speed or incline in the simulator. As soon as the classes no longer seem difficult, you need to add load or move on to more complex exercises .

Cardio

Modern weight loss programs often alternate cardio with strength training to achieve maximum effect. However, even cardio exercises on the machine themselves can help achieve the desired result with proper nutrition and moderate stress on the body. The intensity of the exercise should be sufficient for the body to consume accumulated fats and convert them into energy to perform exercises.

Walking Variations

If you are interested in how to lose weight on a treadmill while walking, be prepared to alternate between different variations of “walking”.

  1. Interval walking. Its essence lies in the frequent change of rhythms - from calm to fast and vice versa. You can increase or decrease the walking speed, change the slope of the working surface of the simulator.
  2. Nordic walking. In simple terms, this is skiing, but without skis and poles. The athlete imitates the skiing technique of working with poles, which helps him maintain a given pace. Refers to a gentle type of load;
  3. Sloping uphill. This variation allows you to use the target muscles more strongly and quickly start the weight loss process;
  4. With weights. To increase the load, you can pick up small dumbbells, hang special weights on your feet, or put weight bags on your belt.

Rule 5. To quickly lose weight, it is important to alternate different variations of walking - this way the body will receive adequate load, and the muscles will always be in good shape.

Target muscles

Let's find out which muscles work when walking on a treadmill, this will allow us to better understand which areas will lose weight faster.

  1. The gluteal muscles are used first;
  2. Secondly, quadriceps and biceps femoris;
  3. The calf muscles are also involved;
  4. Tibial anterior and posterior;
  5. Flexors and extensors of the toes;
  6. Abdominal and back muscles;
  7. Muscles of the shoulders and forearms.

As you can see, during exercise on the treadmill, the muscles of almost the entire body work. Please note that if you increase the inclination of the canvas, the load on the calf and thigh muscles will increase. If you walk with weights, you can not only ensure weight loss, but also improve the quality of muscle mass, form a beautiful relief, and with appropriate nutrition, you can even increase its volume.

Benefits, harms and contraindications

First, let's talk about the pros of walking on a treadmill, because there are many more cons!

  • The ability to maintain great physical shape without excessive stress. This is important for women who want to lose weight through sports, but have health restrictions;
  • Walking is a great way to strengthen the heart and breathing, increase endurance;
  • The treadmill makes it possible to regulate the volume of load, which is very convenient, because each person has his own starting level;
  • Such training, due to the low load at a moderate pace, is allowed for older people, as well as during pregnancy;
  • Provides an acceptable load on joints and ligaments;

An activity can cause harm only if you exercise without a system, thoughtlessly, and without following the rules listed above. In this case, you risk getting injured, losing your health, and quickly becoming disillusioned with your training.

Also, you can harm yourself if you walk with contraindications:

  • Spinal injuries;
  • Traumatic brain injuries;
  • Cardiovascular diseases in the acute phase;
  • Epilepsy;
  • Conditions after a heart attack or stroke;
  • Exacerbations of chronic diseases;
  • Oncological neoplasms;
  • Inflammatory processes, including at elevated body temperature.

Rule 6. To maximize the benefits of walking on a treadmill for women and men, always exercise in good health and in a great mood. If there are contraindications for medical reasons, be sure to consult your doctor.

The benefits of walking for weight loss

Fast walking to tone muscles and lose weight is not only a pleasant walk after a working day to relieve nervous tension and find a good mood.

Regular walks in the fresh air improve not only psychological, but also physiological health.

Among the benefits of walking for weight loss are the following:

  • Improving the condition of the respiratory system. When walking, the load on the respiratory system is activated, and the volume of circulating blood also increases. As a result, a person becomes resilient, the body reacts favorably to any load, and ensures optimal functioning of the heart and lungs.
  • Strengthening the cardiovascular system. Increased activity on a regular basis helps increase blood flow, allows you to easily tolerate physical activity, and controls your heart rate. If you regularly devote at least 20 minutes a day to race walking for weight loss, you can prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system.
  • Activation of the muscles of the lower extremities. It increases during walking, which helps stimulate blood flow in the legs. As a result, it is possible to prevent the development of varicose veins and also have a beneficial effect on the condition of venous valves.
  • Improved muscle condition. Regular walking helps to increase metabolism in the muscles, they become resilient and strong, able to withstand loads.
  • Walking helps break down fat deposits anywhere. If you spend 20 minutes every day walking at an average or sports pace, you can burn 100 kcal, gradually toning your body.
  • Walking has a positive effect on men, preventing blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, preventing problems with potency. Also, with the help of race walking, you can extend your reproductive health for some time.
  • Effective fight against osteochondrosis. Race walking promotes the formation of correct posture, as it has a general strengthening effect on the spine. People who practice walking every day are less likely to develop osteochondrosis.
  • Accelerates metabolism, strengthens immunity. Sports movements have a positive effect on human metabolism and prevent the gastrointestinal tract from slowing down.

This is not the entire list of benefits of walking, which not only improves the functioning of organs and systems, but also promotes weight loss. The advantage of walking is that it has no contraindications. Walking is recommended at any age; the intensity of activity is controlled individually.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=embed/ky9KqObKigs

Tips and reviews for losing weight using a treadmill

Well, now you know the benefits of walking on a treadmill, and you are familiar with the main rules for successful training for weight loss. Here are some more tips to increase efficiency:

  1. Watch your nutrition and follow a low-calorie diet. At the same time, the diet should be balanced, including fruits, vegetables, protein, and complex carbohydrates. Minimize fats, but don't eliminate them completely. To lose weight, steam or stew food, give up fast food, baked goods and sweets.
  2. Drink plenty of water. The recommended volume depends on the initial weight, but start from the average values: a woman weighing 70 kg needs to drink about 2 liters of pure still water during the day until 19-20.00;
  3. In addition to the treadmill, do not forget about other machines and physical exercises. An exercise program for losing weight should be comprehensive.
  4. Always remember how long you need to walk on the treadmill to lose weight - at least 1 hour a day.
  5. To break up the lesson and not get bored, choose a cool playlist or turn on an interesting TV series;
  6. Don't try to lose weight quickly right away. As practice shows, the slower the kilograms melt, the greater the likelihood that they will never return.

Judging by the reviews, proper walking on a treadmill helps relieve stress. The woman relaxes and lets go of her worries. With physical fatigue comes peace, a sense of accomplishment, and pride in oneself. These are the best motivators for losing weight, believe me!

We analyzed reviews of this type of weight loss online and found that walking on a treadmill is extremely effective. The most important thing is to follow the recommendations and stick to the chosen program. The exercise is suitable for absolutely all people - adults, children, pregnant women, and those recovering from injuries or illnesses.

Walking for weight loss

If you do this type of physical activity regularly, about 1.5 hours a day, the result will not take long to arrive - you will definitely start losing weight and will soon become much slimmer.
Active walks help speed up your metabolism, so extra pounds begin to disappear faster. It is worth remembering that the faster you walk, the more calories you will burn and, accordingly, you will become more graceful in a shorter time. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=embed/yjKbEoxtiLw

How long should you walk a day to lose weight?

To achieve a toned figure, you need to walk about 10 thousand steps daily, or 6-7 kilometers. Keep in mind that fat will begin to disappear only when walking lasts at least 1 hour, then after a month of physical activity you can lose from 4 to 7 kilograms. The main rule for achieving results is regular walking, regardless of your mood or weather conditions.

In addition to walking, those who want to lose weight need to eat right, that is, not eat a lot of unhealthy foods, completely give up baked goods and fatty foods. It is recommended to give preference to vegetables, fruits, lean meats, cereals, and fresh juices. This diet, combined with daily walks, will help you quickly remove unnecessary centimeters from your waist. And during sports activities, drink more clean and fresh water, because this will help remove harmful substances from the body and saturate it with the necessary moisture.

How to do physical activity correctly

To achieve the desired result, you need to follow a number of simple rules that will help you quickly gain a beautiful figure:

  • the training should last 1-2 hours, you need to walk every day, gradually increasing your walking speed. Determine for yourself how many kilometers you need to walk a day in order to feel comfortable - this will be the norm;
  • it is recommended to move at different speeds, moving from a calm pace to a faster one;
  • It is best to go in the morning, after breakfast, since then the metabolism will be very active during the day and fat will be burned faster;
  • It is advisable to periodically perform simple physical exercises while walking, including turning the body, raising arms and squats;
  • to burn more calories, you need to walk in an area where there are many obstacles in the form of ups and downs;
  • Be sure to wear comfortable shoes when walking, preferably soft sneakers with thick soles. If you exercise regularly, purchase a tracksuit that does not restrict movement;
  • Don't forget to drink water while walking, as during physical activity the body can lose a lot of fluid, and this can lead to dehydration.

It should be taken into account that for young men and women it is best to walk at a more active and faster pace, while for older or not very healthy people long and calm walks are ideal.

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Sample lesson program

So, you know what walking on a treadmill does, in conclusion, we would like to present a simple and effective training program. With their help, you will start the process of losing weight and will “keep your finger on the pulse” throughout the entire process:

60 minute program for beginners and experienced athletes.

  • Warm up at a speed of 3-5 km/h for 5-7 minutes;
  • We walk for 5 minutes at 5-7 km/h, then 5 minutes at 7-10 km/h;
  • We move for 10 minutes at a speed of 4-6 km/h;
  • For the next 15 minutes, you can include an element of complexity in the complex: interval running, change the incline of the working surface, or take dumbbells. If you're just starting out, just continue at a moderate pace;
  • Drive for 10 minutes at a speed of 6-8 km/h;
  • During the last 10 minutes, gradually reduce your speed to a very slow pace until you stop.

When working out to lose weight, remember the main thing - all your work will be nullified if you do not follow the recommendations or try to achieve what you want as soon as possible. Remember to gradually increase the load, and always listen to your feelings. Any activity should give joy, otherwise, why is it needed at all?

Is walking alone enough?

Race walking is just one activity that can help you lose extra pounds. But, it will be effective and useful only if, in addition, you follow the following rules:

  • Rational and balanced nutrition.
  • Elimination of strict diets.
  • Drinking regime is at least 2 liters per day.
  • Healthy sleep 8 hours.
  • Regular morning warm-up for 5-10 minutes.
  • A break of 5 minutes between daily sedentary work.
  • Rejection of bad habits.
  • Taking vitamin and mineral complexes to maintain body function.

Sport is only part of what helps you lose weight and get in shape. The main criterion is nutrition, on which 80% of success depends. When deciding to lose weight and devote your life to sports, you should first of all review your diet and, if necessary, seek help from specialists. If you are overweight from 20 kg, the diet is tailored to the characteristics of each person.

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