Working out on a treadmill is a fantastic way to improve your overall fitness. But if you want to take your workouts to new heights, consider investing in an incline treadmill. Thanks to the 12-3-30 workout that’s taken over TikTok, incline treadmills are having a moment, offering benefits that can help you reach your fitness goals faster than you ever thought possible.
Let’s take a closer look at five reasons why incline treadmills are a game-changer for your fitness routine!
Boosts Calorie Burn
Walking or running on a flat treadmill primarily works your lower body muscles. But, including incline training may benefit endurance and muscle-building because, as Harvard Health reports, it “generates more muscle activity than walking or running on a flat surface, since you work against gravity.”
In fact, studies show that compared to flat ground, when you walk or run on an incline, metabolic cost, the energy the human body expends to move a certain distance, increases by 52% at a 5% incline and 110% percent at a 10% incline.
Challenges Muscles
If you’ve been doing the same treadmill workout for weeks or even months, chances are your muscles have adapted to the routine, and you may not see the same results as you used to. By adjusting your treadmill’s incline, you can target different muscles, such as your calves, quadriceps, and glutes.
Walking or running on an incline also builds strength in the muscles that help provide function and stability to your lower body.
Reduces Impact
Running or walking on a flat surface can be tough on your body. However, adding a treadmill incline may reduce the impact. Even a slight incline between 1% and 3% may cause your foot to strike the ground at a more gradual angle, reduces impact. Many world-class trainers incorporate this into their clients’ routines to decrease impact.
Customizes Workouts
One of the best things about working out with a treadmill on an incline is that you can customize your workouts to match your fitness level and goals. If you’re training for an event or simply trying to improve your endurance, you might choose to do intervals on an incline. If you want, you could run for two minutes at a steep incline and then walk for two minutes on a flat surface.
Adds Variety
Let’s face it: sticking to the same cardio routine can get boring after a while. But, when you introduce an incline treadmill to the mix, you add variety, which can help keep you motivated and engaged.
Besides changing the incline, you can also adjust your speed, add hand weights, or incorporate other exercises, such as lunges or squats, into your workout. By switching things up, you’re less likely to get bored and more likely to stick with your fitness routine long-term.
The Bottom Line
Incline treadmills are a fantastic way to add an extra challenge to your workout. Remember, though, that every body is different, so cater incline, speed, and duration to your fitness level and goals.
No matter where you are in your search for an incline treadmill, NordicTrack has you covered with our Commercial X22i and Commercial X32i, the only incline treadmills featuring a 40% incline. By burning more calories, activating your muscles, minimizing impact, personalizing your workouts, and mixing up your routine, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, happier you!
