Health Benefits of Treadmill Exercise

Last Updated Feb 27, 2024

There are almost countless health benefits to regular exercise, including heart strength, weight loss, and decreased insulin resistance. Walking or running on a treadmill is an excellent source of exercise that puts less stress on the body than walking or running on a flat surface outdoors. Treadmills also offer the option for careful heart rate and blood pressure monitoring for patients suffering from those issues. This information helps patients determine how much exercise they handle and when to stop. Here are just some of the important health benefits of exercising on the treadmill.

The Six Wonderful Health Benefits of a Treadmill

Heart Benefits

Treadmills are very useful in the diagnosis of heart disease, coronary artery blockages, and other cardiac issues. The body may not show symptoms of heart disease or blockage until it is put under stress, and using a treadmill is an effective way to put a body under stress while closely monitoring the patient’s vital signs. Treadmill tests are often performed on patients who are not currently experiencing symptoms of heart problems, but show risk factors such as high cholesterol.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that women and men that have inconclusive or abnormal treadmill test results are at least twice as likely to die from heart disease as people whose test results are normal. It’s possible for exercise stress tests performed on a treadmill to show a false positive result, so these test should always be follow up with others such as:

Echo Stress Test: An exercise stress test that uses an echocardiogram to measure the heart function.
Cardiac Catheterization: The insertion of a catheter into a specific chamber, vessel, or artery of the heart to spot a blockage or determine the severity of heart disease.
Nuclear Stress Test: Uses a tiny dose of a radioactive solution to evaluate heart function and blood flow to the heart.

Regular aerobic exercise, such as a treadmill workout regimen, improves blood circulation in the body and helps to lower blood pressure by strengthening the heart. Aerobic exercise also helps to protect against blood vessel disease and heart disease by lowering low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and raising levels of high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). Anyone with heart issues should talk to their doctor before starting any exercise program to ensure that they don’t put too much stress on their body or interfere with their medications.

Benefits to Diabetics

Treadmills are an ideal way to encourage people to exercise regularly, and regular exercise is a very important factor in controlling insulin levels in type 2 diabetics. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry regular exercise decreases blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. The combination of diet and exercise is the best way to control diabetes symptoms in patients that are not insulin dependent. Each patient should consult their doctor before starting their exercise routine because exercise that is too intense can actually raise blood sugar levels.

Exercising for less than 20 minutes at a time usually causes the liver to release stored glucose for fuel, but a session of at least 20 minutes is more beneficial because it causes the muscles to take in glucose for fuel and lowers overall blood glucose levels. Using a treadmill for regular exercise often allows patients to lower their blood glucose levels enough that their medication levels can be adjusted or eliminated. Working out regularly also helps to regulate the hormones that induce sleep and facilitates better sleep. Regular sleep cycles are another factor that keeps blood sugar levels stable.

Benefits of Exercise

Exercising regularly is a great way to keep the body in good shape and decrease levels of disease. The heart is the most important muscle in the body and it needs exercise to stay in top shape. Treadmills are the best exercise machines for people starting their fitness journey because they are easy to use and put less stress on the body than many types of workouts. Most experts recommend that people exercise at least five days per week, for 20-60 minutes. A feat easily accomplished with a treadmill.

Health Benefits of Treadmill Exercise FAQs

Is a treadmill good for losing belly fat?

Running or jogging on a treadmill is a very effective way to burn fat and lose weight. The CDC recommends 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Running on a treadmill is a great way to accomplish this as it is easier on your joints than running outdoors.

How many minutes should you spend on a treadmill?

The amount of time you spend on a treadmill depends on your own fitness level, goals, and routines. A good starting point would be walking or jogging for 20 minutes each day to reach the CDC’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity.

What is the best workout on a treadmill?

The best treadmill workout depends on your fitness goals. HIIT workouts and incline training are great for losing weight and toning your leg muscles. You can use your machine’s built-in workout programs, and apps, such as iFit and Peloton, to guide you through your treadmill workout.

19 Comments

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Luther PolakisMarch 21, 2019 at 9:36 am
Perfectly pent subject matter, Really enjoyed reading through.
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  Amanda B.March 22, 2019 at 1:44 pm
  Hi Luther, thank you for your kind words!!
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John Macharia mwangiMarch 25, 2019 at 5:31 pmfrom Kenya
Good reading material.Please send me more materials on how to control diabetes type 2 and on how to lower bad cholesterol.
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  Amanda B.March 27, 2019 at 3:51 pm
  Hi John, thank you for your kind words. We often update our website so please stay tuned for more content.
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JoeJuly 16, 2019 at 9:32 am
I love walking on a treadmill. Did 2 miles yesterday. Definitely helps me with my anxiety.
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  Amanda BJuly 16, 2019 at 11:37 am
  That's so great to hear, Joe! Keep it up!
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CacildaAugust 24, 2019 at 12:36 pmfrom UAE
Hi I am 54 years of age. Am on 5 mg pressure tablets and 10 mg cholesterol tabs too. Can you tell me how would the treadmill help me and how do I use it. Thank you in advance for your reply. Cacilda
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  Amanda BSeptember 10, 2019 at 11:36 am
  Hi Cacilda, as highlighted above, regular exercise has many health benefits, and walking/running on a treadmill is a great way to get your daily dose of cardio exercise. You can always start by walking/jogging for 20 mins on a treadmill. We recommend that you consult your physician to get a proper exercise routine tailored to your needs.
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  RskDecember 26, 2019 at 3:41 pmfrom Dubai
  I am 44 years of age and was suffering from very high cholesterol though under weight I started with morning walk for 1 Hr everyday for a month a then joined Gym I workout 1 hr Cardio and 1 hr other exercises I don't need any tablets now I m Completely free from cholesterol
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    AjaySeptember 1, 2020 at 11:07 pmfrom India
    For how long did u follow this schedule?
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  IleanaJuly 5, 2020 at 3:19 pmfrom USA
  Hi Casilda, I strongly suggest using a treadmill or walk outside if you don’t have one available. I had high cholesterol And high glucose and exercising and following the Mediterranean diet For two months my cholesterol levels are within normal level now,as well as sugar level.
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Kazi saifuddinAugust 29, 2019 at 12:33 pmfrom Banglsdesh
I take 0ne hour on tradmill. I is beneficiary or not for my health.
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FridayApril 16, 2020 at 11:43 amfrom Placerville, CA
Been doing my 20-minutes, six days a week, at a moderate speed (approx. one mile) for the past several months. It oxygenates my brain, to minimize my creeping memory loss at age 79.
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Edwin GatinaoMay 23, 2020 at 10:21 amfrom CDo philippines
I had cabg in 2014. 1m 70 yrs old! Can I still benefit from using a treadmill?
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  Amanda BMay 27, 2020 at 4:42 pm
  Hi Edwin, you can definitely still benefit from using a treadmill. Please consult a physician to get a proper fitness routine tailored to you. Always remember to start slow and listen to your body!
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Gymsportz.sgJuly 15, 2020 at 8:18 am
Nice post! I love running on a treadmill. It really helps increase the circulation of blood in my body and stay fit.
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ChawlaOctober 2, 2020 at 2:15 am
I am 69 years 5 feet 6 inches tall obese with 104 kg weight, walking on treadmill twice a day for 20 minutes each session at the speed of 4.5 km, Diabetes with fasting sugar 130, kis this much of work out will help me to lower the weight and improve my sugar level ? Or I have to do more ?
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Kristofer Van WagnerOctober 4, 2020 at 10:30 amfrom https://rewindfitness.net/treadmills
Thank you for sharing that jogging on the treadmill is excellent at improving our cardiovascular strength and reduce stress. My wife and I are thinking of adding a treadmill to our home to promote a healthier lifestyle among the family. I will definitely consider used fitness equipment as it will help us in saving cash.
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NathanielDecember 6, 2020 at 12:46 pmfrom medford Ma.
I was very active playing my drums however I lost some of the will or affected by covid I find myself not interested at least playing my drums helped with some form of activity plus due to the fact I am diabetic! So I have now started out to pace myself on our new treadmill started 5min to get accustomed to how I would hold up I increased it to 10 min also increasing the speed so far it is working and I do feel better doing this I have always said that your health is your wealth! I am now investing in my own words! EXCERSISE!