A treadmill is one of the most popular types of fitness equipment on the market today.  This type of machine makes it possible to train comfortably indoors, no matter what the weather is like outside.  Treadmills provide great cardiovascular exercise and can really help you get into shape.  Treadmill workouts may vary, depending upon your fitness goals.  What are the best techniques for losing weight on a treadmill?



In order to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume.  That doesnt mean, however, that you have to be a runner in order to burn enough calories to produce weight-loss.  There are other treadmill workouts that can effectively take off those extra pounds.

Sustained Light to Moderate Exercise

Light to moderate exercise has been shown to be more efficient in burning fat than extremely rigorous exercise.  The reason behind this seems to be associated with the fact that fat is burned more efficiently after 30 minutes of continuous exercise. 

Intense, fast-paced exercise, such as running, is difficult for most people to sustain for an extended period of time.  They simply run out of steam too quickly when working so hard.  In the end, they may not use up as many calories as they would by working out at a slower pace. 

Walking at a steady pace on a treadmill for longer than 30 minutes is a great way to burn calories.  For optimal weight-loss benefits, increase your walking time to at least 45 minutes per day and exercise no less than 3 times per week.

Interval Training

Interval training on a treadmill is a great way to lose weight.  Such training effectively burns calories and fat and boosts the bodys metabolism.  Interval training involves engaging in periods of high-intensity exercise followed by periods of low-intensity exercise. 

The high-intensity periods can be very brief (as little as 15 seconds) or as long as 20 minutes.  These periods are known as the sprint intervals.  During this time, you should crank up the intensity and work as hard as you can.  As your fitness improves, the intensity at which you work during the sprint intervals should increase, so that you are always putting forth your best during these periods.

In-between sprint intervals, the workout resumes a slow, easy pace.  The periods of low-intensity exercise are known as the rest intervals.  During the rest intervals, the body is given time to recuperate from the sprint intervals.  So that you are able to perform the sprint intervals at your optimal intensity level, the rest intervals are essential.  How long you work at this lower intensity level should be based upon your current level of fitness.  Obviously, if you are at an advanced workout level, your body wont require as much time to recuperate.

Important Note about Losing Weight on a Treadmill

ANY exercise is better than none when youre trying to lose weight.  If you are just beginning an exercise program or have difficulty finding enough time to exercise continuously for 30 minutes or longer, try breaking up your workout into shorter segments.  The best weight-loss results tend to arise among individuals who strive to exercise for 150 minutes per week or more. 

Regular treadmill exercise helps improve the metabolism, encouraging fat to be burned even when the body is at rest.  No special skills are required to work out on a treadmill, so if youre serious about losing those extra pounds, consider treadmill exercise.    

Fred Waters is editor of the Treadmill Reviews site, where you can get reviews and ratings on over 100 popular models.  He was a former marketing director for a fitness equipment company, and has been in the industry for over 11 years.