7 Treadmill Benefits You May Not Have Considered

There are many benefits to exercising on the treadmill that everyone talks about, like less impact on joints and weight loss. But there are other benefits that many people don’t know about until after they have purchased a treadmill to use in their home. Here are some of the lesser known benefits of a regular treadmill exercise routine.

Entertainment

Most people get bored when they are exercising, so having the ability to turn up the radio and not have to worry about hazards such as cars and animals is a great benefit of using a treadmill. Also, working out while watching TV can make for a great workout distraction. Not only will you be watching one of your favorite shows, but it makes for a quick and easy 30 to 60 minute workout, burning more calories without feeling as tired or bored then just doing a regular workout without music.

Don’t have a TV or prefer not to watch because it’s too much of a distraction? Listening to music is a great workout motivator and less of a distraction for exercisers who want to be more in tune with their body. It helps exercisers increase endurance during their workouts. According to research conducted by Dr Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University, upbeat music can increase an exerciser’s physical endurance by about 15%. Listening to music helps to keep people motivated to exercise longer and harder.

Not Getting Lost

Many people take the same route when they are running outside because they are concerned about getting lost. Taking the same route increases boredom and the body gets used to the inclines and speed of a certain workout, decreasing its effectiveness. Most treadmills (like the NordicTrack Treadmill) have settings that allow the speed and incline to be varied randomly so that their body doesn’t get used to a particular routine. Exercisers never have to worry about getting lost when they are using a treadmill.

Safety

There are many safety hazards that people encounter while running or walking outdoors, including:

• Uneven Terrain
• Speeding Cars
• Animals
• Other People

Treadmills absorb shock, so they put less stress on the joints of the body than walking or running outdoors. Treadmills are often recommended to people with back problems, shin splints, and other physical issues because there is less stress placed on the body.

Weather/Time of Day

People who use a treadmill to get their exercise don’t have to worry about only exercising during the day so that the sun is out. They also don’t have to worry about dangerous weather conditions such as rain, snow, and ice. The temperature inside is controlled, so treadmill users are also unlikely to get heatstroke in the summer.

Sun Exposure

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, About 58,094 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with skin cancers known as melanomas in 2007. More people are diagnosed with these deadly cancers each year and each person’s chances of developing skin cancer can be minimized by staying out of the sun.

People who exercise on the treadmill don’t have to worry about the harmful rays of the sun while they are working out. They also don’t have to worry about the summertime heat making their workout more difficult and dehydrating. Heat stroke is a common problem for people who exercise strenuously outdoors. Those who use indoor treadmills don’t have this problem and they usually have quick access to water if they feel dehydrated.

Feedback

Many treadmills are equipped with special equipment such as heart rate monitors that allow each exerciser to keep track of how hard their body is working. They know if they need to work out harder to burn more calories or slow down so that they don’t cause damage to their bodies. Some treadmills also have monitors that keep track of how many miles the exerciser has traveled, how fast they are moving, and even approximate how many calories they have burned. The calorie counting features of some machines are not very accurate, so exercisers shouldn’t rely on the machine entirely to keep track of their calorie burning.

Private

People who exercise using a treadmill at home don’t have to worry about anyone they don’t know watching them work out or making rude comments. Some people feel very uncomfortable exercising if they know somebody is watching them, and using a treadmill at home allows them the privacy that they need to feel comfortable with their workouts.

Treadmill Benefits

There are many benefits of regular exercise, especially when using a treadmill. Treadmills are easy to use and allow people to get a great workout in the privacy of their own home, any time of the day or night. The treadmill is always available no matter what the weather is outside or how unsafe the neighborhood may be.