Dear Heather,
This may not be worth a question and answer in your blog, so if you just want to send me a private response, I’ll understand. I have been a member at a gym for about six months; I joined because they had about 30 different treadmills among their exercise equipment. I like the treadmill, it’s a good workout and I can get my walking in no matter what kind of weather is going on outside. I’ve made some progress over the last few months, I feel stronger, I feel healthier and I’ve lost 11 pounds. I haven’t been dieting at all – just walking on my treadmill five days a week when I’m on my lunch break from work. I have a co-worker who walks outdoors and we’ve been having an argument all week about which is better – the treadmill or walking outdoors, so I wanted to put the question to you: are treadmills better? Or should I try to find a way to walk outside?
Thanks for your time,
Emily
Emily,
Thanks for writing such a great question and no, I don’t think it’s a bad question at all. I’ve heard plenty of debates back and forth over which is better – the treadmill or ‘real’ walking as some people like to call it. Let me tell you first and foremost that the treadmill is my favorite of the cardiovascular workout machines. I like it because it’s easy to use and it can meet the challenges of your workout whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced in your physical fitness.
Don’t just rely on my opinion though; I went over to the American Medical Association and they rank the treadmill as number one for cardiovascular machines. Walking is one of the most preferred types of exercise followed a close second by running. The treadmill allows you to do both. You can make adjustments to accommodate the speed, the incline and the length of workout you want to do. Most treadmills come pre-programmed with different workouts of varying intensity and speed as well as a manual setting that lets you perform the workout that you want to do.
Many treadmills also come equipped with a form of technology called iFit. It allows you to plug the treadmill into a custom designed workout utilizing audio and more. Treadmills, as you said in your note, are extremely convenient. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, snowing or sleeting outside, you can still get in your workout. For some people, it’s a great way to substitute their outdoor walking if the weather is bad or they can only walk when it’s dark out and it’s not safe to walk in the dark.
But the truth of the matter is – the treadmill and outdoor walking offer the same benefits as long as you are challenging yourself, walking regularly and getting your heart rate up. For some individuals, the treadmill is far more preferable – for example, if you’re prone to really bad allergies then a treadmill lets you enjoy the benefits of walking without exacerbating your allergies. For older individuals, extreme heat and humidity can be just as hard as extreme cold, so the treadmill is also a good opportunity for those individuals.
What it boils down to – is your preference. You’re obviously enjoying your treadmill workout and you’re obviously having success – so in this case, I would suggest that the treadmill is what is best for you. Outdoor walking may be better for your co-worker because they enjoy that workout. The primary elements you need is the desire to walk and the effort to do it – if you have both of these – then you’ve got it made.
I hope this helps!
Do you have a question for me? Send it in and I’ll do my best to answer it.
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